First rookie boss clash in 35 years

WILFRIED NANCY and Danny Rohl will today become the first rookie Celtic and Rangers managers to make their Old Firm debuts against each other in 35 years.

- BY MARK WALKER

It will be the first time two new permanent managers of both clubs have faced off in their opening Old Firm showdowns since Liam Brady and Walter Smith were in opposing dugouts in 1991.

Both Celtic and Rangers have changed gaffers this season, with Russell Martin sacked by Rangers in October then Brendan Rodgers leaving Celtic later in the month.

Back in August 1991, Smith took his Rangers team - who had won the league the previous season in a title-decider against Aberdeen - to the east end of Glasgow and won 2-0 against Brady in his debut season.

Although Smith took over from Graeme Souness at the end of the previous season, that was his first experience of an Old Firm game as boss.