ABSTRACT

This article considers the world-famous rivalry between two Scottish based football clubs, Rangers and Celtic. It reflects on dominant representations of the origins, evolution and meaningfulness of this clash. A critical reading of these representations demonstrates they largely ignore or simplify the significance of history for this contest. This study contends that recognising the importance of aspects of Scottish/British imperialism especially contributes to a more informed understanding of these totemic clubs’ foundations, heritages and supporter enmities and throws light on contemporary postcolonial socio-cultural and political identities in Scotland generally. Scrutinising both football commentary and contemporary artistic representations of past imperialist endeavours – in particular, the Great Tapestry of Scotland and Black Watch – contributes to a better understanding not only of this sporting rivalry but also to how Scotland’s role as junior partner with England in the British Empire project, particularly in relation to Ireland, is remembered, contested, overlooked or celebrated in contemporary Scottish society.

摘要

本文考虑了两家苏格兰足球俱乐部流浪者队和凯尔特人队之间举世闻名的竞争。它反映了这种冲突的起源、演变和意义的主要表现形式。对这些表述的批判性阅读表明，它们在很大程度上忽略或简化了历史对这场竞赛的重要性。本研究认为，认识到苏格兰/英国帝国主义各个方面的重要性，尤其有助于更深入地了解这些图腾俱乐部的基础、遗产和支持者的敌意，并总体上揭示苏格兰当代后殖民社会文化和政治身份。仔细审查过去帝国主义努力的足球评论和当代艺术表现-特别是，Great Tapestry of Scotland和Black Watch –不仅有助于更好地理解这种体育竞争，而且有助于更好地了解苏格兰作为大英帝国项目中英格兰的初级伙伴，特别是与爱尔兰有关的角色，是如何被记住、质疑、忽视或庆祝的在当代苏格兰社会。