Unexpectedly, Celtic has twice played as the home team at Ibrox, the home ground of their fierce rivals Rangers. The first occasion was during the Second World War in January 1940. Scottish football faced restrictions due to the war, and a match between Celtic and Rangers had to be moved to Ibrox to accommodate a larger crowd. About 40,000 fans attended despite foggy conditions. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Celtic equalizing late in the match.
The second occurrence was in the 1971-72 season when construction at Celtic Park rendered it unsuitable for hosting a League Cup game against Rangers. Initial resistance from Rangers to play the match at Ibrox was resolved, and Celtic hosted Rangers at Ibrox in front of 73,000 spectators. Celtic won 2-0, with goals from Jimmy Johnstone and Kenny Dalglish, marking a memorable triumph.
Both times Celtic played as the home team at Ibrox, they remained unbeaten. These matches illustrate the complicated yet intriguing rivalry between the two clubs, with Ibrox holding a mix of challenges and triumphs for Celtic.
Celtic fans and history enthusiasts can explore more about the club’s past through resources like Celtic history tours and books that capture these captivating stories.