According to the rumour mill, there could be a new name added to this list rather soon.
Rangers’ Emerson Hyndman in action with Celtic’s Scott Brown
The Old Firm derby is one of the most passionate and heated derbies across the globe, with maybe only Boca Juniors and River Plate being able to match it, and it’s had its fair share of drama and controversy.
Controversy could strike up yet again going by reports that Celtic want to sign Bournemouth’s Emerson Hyndman – which sounds perfectly reasonable, until you realise he’s been on loan at Rangers for the whole of this season.
In light of this interest, as reported by The Scotsman, here are five others who represented both the blue and green sides of Glasgow down the years.
Alfie Conn
The first player post WW2 to make the switch, Conn started out at Rangers and was part of the 1972 European Cup Winner’s Cup team, as well as the 1973 Scottish Cup winning side where Rangers defeated Celtic 3-2 at Hampden Park, with Conn scoring Gers’ second goal. Conn then went to Jack Nicholson’s Spurs, before returning to Scotland…with Celtic. His time at Celtic lasted just two years, though he did win another Scottish Cup with the Bhoys, who naturally defeated Rangers 1-0 in the final. Conn’s switch didn’t bring a grudge from Rangers however, and he was inducted to their hall of fame in 2007.
Rangers’ Kenny Miller
Kenny Miller
The only player in the modern era to cross the divide twice, Kenny Miller has certainly had an interesting time in Glasgow. Rangers first signed Miller in 2000, though he lasted one year before Wolverhampton Wanderers signed him in 2001. In 2006 though, Celtic swooped as Miller was available on a free transfer, and Miller’s first goal for the club was against former employers Rangers, while later becoming the first man to score a Champions League goal for both Old Firm clubs. Miller then went to Derby County, becoming a part of the worst Premier League team in history in the process, before returning to Rangers in 2008. However, he left again in 2011, but signed for the Ibrox club for a third time in 2014, where he remains today.
Mo Johnston
Probably the most controversial out of the five, Johnston – a devout Catholic – signed for Celtic in 1984 and was a huge success, scoring 52 in 99 league games. He then went to Nantes and left with a choice of two clubs to sign for – former club Celtic, or their hated rivals Rangers. Amazingly, Johnston went to Rangers, and thus became the the highest profile Catholic to sign for the club, who had generally not knowingly signed Catholics previously, with it being something of an unwritten rule at Ibrox that Catholic players weren’t to be signed. The move caused outrage from both sets of supporters, with Celtic fans branding him a traitor and Rangers livid that an open Catholic had been purchased. That anger soon died down on Rangers’ part when Johnston scored an injury time winner against Celtic, but the initial outrage will never be forgotten.
Celtic’s Scott Sinclair with Rangers’ Joey Barton after the game
Steven Pressley
After starting his professional career as a bit-part player at Rangers, where Pressley made 34 appearances in four years – though he did win two Scottish Premier League titles and a Scottish Cup – the centre back left in 1994 to Coventry City. Pressley then went to Dundee United and Hearts – winning the Scottish Cup – where he became mainstays in the team, and his form attracted Celtic to his services. Coincidentally, Celtic also saw Pressley as a bit-part player, and the defender made 19 appearances in two seasons, though in those two seasons, Pressley won a Scottish Premier League title, and became the first player ever to win the Scottish Cup with three different teams.
Mark Brown
Like Pressley, Brown also started his career at Rangers – though the goalkeeper made just four appearances in two years before being sold onto Motherwell. Inverness Caledonian Thistle was his next step, and he was first choice for a number of years there, helping the club win the Scottish Challenge Cup and the Scottish First Division. His good form caught the eye of Celtic, who signed him as a back-up keeper, in the exact same way he was utilised at Rangers. Brown made 13 league appearances for Celtic, though still picked up two Scottish Premier League titles and a Scottish League Cup.
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