Celtic and Rangers are seen as two of the biggest clubs on the face of the planet, with fans from all corners of the globe hoping to catch a glimpse of Glasgow’s big two in the flesh.
Parkhead diehards will tell you that nothing comes close to a European night under the lights in the city’s East-End, with the club enjoying memorable triumphs against the likes of AC Milan, Barcelona – and most recently RB Leipzig in the last 17 years.
But on the other side of the divide, Gers followers will claim that Ibrox‘s atmosphere when the big guns are in town is unrivalled, and can point to the warm words shared about Ibrox by some of the biggest and best players to have graced the game in years gone by. Record Sport has gone back through the archives to find 20 of the most famous quotes about the famous old ground.
Rangers’ iconic atmosphere in quotes
Gianluigi Buffon
“Anfield, in Liverpool, that was one of the few stadiums – along with Rangers in Glasgow and Fenerbahce in Istanbul – where there was such commotion for the first 15-20 minutes that I had trouble concentrating.”
Jude Bellingham
“It was brilliant to play here of course, it’s a brilliant atmosphere, a good team, a good test.”
Sami Khedira
“My first (Champions League) game was away at Glasgow Rangers and it was phenomenal.
“To this day it was the game with the most impressive atmosphere I have ever experienced.
“I immediately thought… ‘this is very special indeed.’
“It had a unique atmosphere, you feel like the whole world is watching and I have loved the competition ever since.”
Victor Valdes
“Celtic create a great atmosphere home and away but I still think the most intimidating stadium I have played in was when we played Rangers.
“There must be something about the city of Glasgow because they made so much noise. Normally as a goalkeeper you block out the noise of the fans but the noise they made that night was impossible to ignore.
“We had Henry, Ronaldinho, and Messi playing for us and I can’t think of another occasion when those three were on the same field and we didn’t score.
“Rangers fought like warriors that evening and I am sure a big part of their performance was down to the fans and the atmosphere they create for their players.”
Alessandro Del Piero
“What I remember… is the great welcome, the warmth of the crowd that pushes and sings for 90 minutes for his team but applauds and respects the opponent.
“I went out with lots of applause, and it was a great honour for me.”
Gary Neville
“The loudest atmosphere that I have known, compared to any English ground away from home.
“There have been certain nights at Old Trafford in European games – the ones against Juventus come to mind – when the atmosphere was incredible.
“But this was definitely up there with the best. It was fantastic.
“When we came out at the start I was looking around me and I saw people in the directors’ box jumping up singing and I was wondering what was happening. It is not usually like that.”
Thierry Henry
“I know the atmosphere that’s generated here and that makes it tough for any team. I thought the fans were unbelievable again.
“They were not swearing or shouting stupid things, they pushed their team forward and that’s great to see.”
Marcos Senna
“Usually players don’t even hear supporters when we play but it was impossible to ignore the crowd in Glasgow.
“When they scored, the noise was amazing, incredible.”
Lotthar Mattheus
“I remember playing once against Rangers in Glasgow. The atmosphere, it was incredible.”
Didier Drogba
“Ooh la la! The atmosphere at Ibrox is absolutely magical. To my way of appreciating football, its truly really beautiful. That’s how to support your team!”
Giacomo Raspadori
“This was played in an atmosphere that could have frightened other teams. But it turned into a beautiful evening. It was a wonderful evening and a great victory for us in a marvellous atmosphere.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy
“I’ll never forget that night we played there. The atmosphere was unbelievable, very hostile.”
Lionel Letizi
“I’d been told about the incredible atmosphere but could not believe how loud it was.
“When we arrived and walked out on to the pitch, the stadium was empty because we were early.
“We went back inside to change and when we walked into the tunnel we could hear a rumbling noise.
“And when we went back on to the pitch I could not believe my ears. The sound was terrifying and the game had not even started yet.
“I then had to walk to my goal and when the referee blew his whistle to start the match the sound which came from the stand at my back almost knocked me over.”
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
“It is not just made up that players can suffer from an intimidating atmosphere when they play at visiting grounds.
“I know from Ruud (Ruud van Nistelrooy) that when we beat PSV at Ibrox in the Champions League he thought it was very frightening. He said it was one of the most atmospheric matches he had ever experienced.”
Frank Lampard
“The Rangers fans were awesome, all the lads were talking about it.
“With that kind of backing from their crowd, they will be hard to beat.”
Phil Neville
“I must confess that despite my career having taken me to some unbelievable sporting arenas around the world and having savoured remarkable atmospheres, playing at Ibrox was one of the best experiences of my life.
“When the Champions League anthem played the hairs on the back of my neck literally stood straight up and I have never, ever heard noise like that crowd made.”
Clarence Seedorf
“The fans were fantastic; it’s a beautiful stadium, great pitch – the perfect atmosphere for a football match.”
Fabrizio Ravanelli
“I love Scotland because I love the football culture.
“When I was at Juventus, we played against Rangers and I just always remembered this incredible, fantastic, burning atmosphere.”
Hernan Crespo
“I’ve played at Ibrox – the atmosphere in Scottish stadiums is sensational.”
Gaizka Mendieta
“We played Rangers at home and it was an incredible atmosphere. We played very well.
“The return game was at Ibrox and the atmosphere was incredible again. The game itself was very exciting. [At half-time] there was a two-goal difference but it felt like it was 0-0 [laughing] because of the way they were playing and the way the fans were behind them, it was incredible.”