Before the kick-off of today’s match, the Directors of Rangers and Kilmarnock gathered in the Blue Room to share a drink from the Loving Cup, a silver vessel with two handles that symbolises unity and friendship. This ceremony is a long-standing tradition at Rangers, dating back to 1937, when the club received the cup from the London Rangers Supporters Club as a tribute to King George VI’s coronation.
The Loving Cup ritual has its origins in Saxon Britain, and is used in many ceremonies, especially weddings, as a symbolic gesture for the couple to toast their new life together. The cup is also known as a quaich in Scotland, and is often used to serve whisky or wine. The ritual involves the person holding the cup drinking from it, then passing it to their neighbour, who stands up to receive it. The person who passes the cup then guards the drinker’s back, as a sign of trust and protection.
The ceremony is a rare opportunity for the directors of both teams to show their respect and camaraderie, as well as their appreciation for the history and culture of Scottish football. The Loving Cup is only used once a year, on the first home match after New Year’s Day, and is always offered to the visiting team first. Today, the cup was filled with a blend of Scotch whisky, as the directors of Rangers and Kilmarnock toasted to each other’s health and success.
LOVING CUP CEREMONY 2024
