Celtic vs Rangers : Five Nigerian players who have featured in Old Firm derby

Published: February 02, 2022

Celtic will host champions Rangers at Celtic Park tonight in what is considered by many football fans as one of the fiercest derbies in world football.

The Hoops and Light Blues have faced each other 426 times in the past with Rangers winning 167 matches, Celtic 159 matches and hundred ending in a draw.

Allnigeriasoccer.com has compiled a list of five Nigerian players who have featured in the derby in the past, with three active Super Eagles players making the list.

2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Efe Ambrose, who is widely regarded as the most successful Nigerian footballer to play in Scotland having won four league titles with Celtic, surprisingly did not make the list.

2007 U17 World Cup winner Rabiu Ibrahim and ex-Nigeria U23 international Nathan Oduwa also did not taste action in the Old Firm derby while at Celtic and Rangers respectively, and the same applies to Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq.

1) Sone Aluko : The Super Eagles winger played against Celtic three times during his Rangers days, scoring one goal.

2) Joe Aribo : Since moving to the Light Blues in summer 2019, the versatile midfielder has faced Celtic nine times, six of which he ended up on the winning side, losing twice and drawing once.

3) Leon Balogun : The Super Eagles center back has never lost against Celtic in his three appearances. Has one assist from his defensive position.

4) Ovie Ejaria : The 2017 U20 World Cup winner and Super Eagles hopeful represented Rangers in the first half of the 2018-2019 season on loan from Liverpool. His solitary appearance in the derby was on September 2, 2018.

5) Sheyi Ojo: The Liverpool-owned winger enjoyed a successful loan spell at Rangers during the 2019-2020 season. Came on at halftime in a 2-0 home loss to Celtic in September 2019.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : rangers.co.uk

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