Football
Glasgow's Southside is the site of Scotland's national football (soccer) stadium, Hampden Park (tel. 0141/620-4000; bus: 75 or 89). It seats just over 52,000 fans and is used for Scotland internationals as well as annual cup matches. There is also a football museum here.
The city's two big clubs are Celtic and Rangers. Celtic play in the East End at their stadium in Parkhead (tel. 0141/556-2611; www.celticfc.net). Rangers are based south of the Clyde at Ibrox Stadium (tel. 0870/600-1972; www.rangers.co.uk). Two relatively smaller soccer clubs also play their home games in Glasgow: Partick Thistle at Firhill in the West End and Queen's Park at Hampden.
The "Old Firm" -- Glasgow has Scotland's two largest professional soccer teams -- Celtic and Rangers -- and they are collectively called the "Old Firm." These clubs are among the biggest in Europe, and both have passionate, if not fanatical, followers. Alas, given the clubs' histories, fans are also drawn into sectarian (religious/political) disputes that have little to do with modern politics or religion but can become violent. The best bet for visitors is to politely avoid discussions regarding the Old Firm, unless extremely well versed. A safe bet if pressed is to say you prefer Partick, Glasgow's small West End club with no sectarian ties.
