Celtic reigned supreme in the first Old Firm Derby of the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign with a commanding 3-0 thrashing of Rangers.
The Bhoys gave their fans their money’s worth with a clinical display after tormenting their opponents all game long, with the win giving them an early lead in the championship race.
It was a thrilling atmosphere at Celtic Park for this heated derby and the Celtic fans brought out their green colors with utmost pride.
They almost painted the entire stands green to try and intimidate the visiting Rangers players and supporters, as well as releasing a few beautiful Tifo to amp up their own players.
An interesting Tifo that was unfurled in the stands showed a large group of spectators holding a beautiful green and white design.
The fans that were seated either side of the Tifo or in the section above it were all given the responsibility to hold green paper over their heads to perfectly nail the colors of the club.
The tifo has the words ‘Our Dear Green Place’ written atop in green colors, while some notable places of Glasgow can be seen in the background along with the picture of Saint Mungo – who is the patron saint of Glasgow. His actual name was Kentigerm, a missionary in the Brythonic Kingdom of Strathclyde in the late sixth century.
He was born in 514 AD and a major accomplishment throughout his life-time was actually being the founder of the city of Glasgow. At the age of 25, Saint Mungo began his missionary labours in the River Clyde, on the site of what would become the city of Glasgow.
Mungo built a church across the water of the Clyde from an extinct volcano site, where the Medieval Cathedral current stands. He labored in this district for 13 years, staying in a small single cell and making many converts with his preaching. Mungo would be forced to leave Glasgow and return to Wales, but then again returned to the City and is considered as the person to have built the foundations of Glasgow.
There is also a sweet meaning behind the ‘Our Dear Green Place’ mantra that is written atop of the Tifo. That is because the ‘Our Dear Green Place’ actually means ‘Our Glasgow’ because the city’s nickname is ‘Dear Green Place’.
It is believed that this is derived from the Gaelic Glas Caomh and is a translation that basically wires down to ‘Dear Green Place’. This is an affectionate way of referring to the city or celebration its history. The name ‘Dear Green Place’ also refers to the geographical features of the city of Glasgow than how attentive the citizens are to the pollutions levels.
The people of Glasgow are quite proudful of their city having more green space available to its population than any other major city in Europe. Glasgow has over 90 parks and gardens for its citizens to explore, which include the Glasgow Green – which is widely thought to be the birthplace of James Watt’s steam engine invention idea.
The city of Glasgow is actually derived from the Gaelic word Glaschu – which means ‘green hollow’ or ‘green glen’. Hence, rather than making any kind of controversial statement through their Tifo, the Celtic fans were simply celebrating the greatness of the city of Glasgow and its rich history with their beautiful tifo.