Fix git 1.8.3.1 job errors

What does this MR do?

Change the calls to git in Makefile to use a syntax that is accepted by both recent versions of git and version 1.8.

Why was this MR needed?

Some calls to git in the Makefile use newer arguments that are not supported by git 1.8, so it ends up causing noise in the git 1.8.3.1 job log. In cases where you must ensure that your MR does not break anything, it’s distracting to find errors in job logs.

What's the best way to test this MR?

• Check that errors in git 1.8.3.1 have disappeared.
• Run the old and new syntax of the changed commands (both on master and an RC branch, such as v13.9.0-rc2). They should still return the same values.

What are the relevant issue numbers?

#27628 (closed)