After Celtic’s Barcelona Heroics, it’s Beachballs, Sombreros and Title Joy at Ibrox

Three days after an energy sapping but morale boosting goalless draw in Barcelona, Celtic moved from European qualification in the UEFA Cup to extending their lead at the top of the SPL to 19 points and with it our unbeaten run to 30 games, as the Hoops defeated Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox on this day in 2004.

Goals from Henrik Larsson and Alan Thompson had Celtic well in control and even an 82nd minute response from Rangers Steven Thompson meant little in a game Celtic never looked like losing. It was a defeat that also resigned Rangers to a record fifth straight derby defeat.

David Marshall was once again between the sticks and hot on the heels of a man of the match performance against the Catalans. John Kennedy celebrated what was well deserved but ultimately ill-fated call up to the Scotland squad to face Romania at Hampden, by taking his place in the heart of the Celtic defence.

Rangers captain Craig Moore had returned from injury to replace unfit Frank de Boer in defence. Celtic also made just one change, Bobo Balde, who had missed the midweek victory over Barcelona through suspension, came in for the injured Jackie McNamara.

Celtic lined up on the day in front of an attendance of 49,909 and hundreds of multi-coloured beach balls:

Marshall, Balde, Kennedy, Varga, Agathe, Petrov, Lennon, Pearson (Miller 78), Thompson, Larsson, Sutton.

Rangers would have been hoping the exhausting efforts of holding their one goal lead from the first leg against Barcelona would have left the Celts off the pace. If that was their belief they were soon to realise that confidence from European progression had left plenty energy in Celtic legs.

It was Celtic who grabbed the opening goal and it came from a from a set piece delivery from Alan Thompson. Thommo flighted a free-kick into the six-yard box, as Rangers Michael Ball failed to pick up Larsson and, with Stefan Klos stuck on his line, the King of Kings headed firmly down and into the net to make it 1-0 after 20 minutes.

David Marshall, the hero of the Nou Camp, pulled off two top class saves in quick succession to prevent an equaliser and evidence our academy graduate intended to make the number one shirt his own.

A Ball cross looked to be heading for the corner of the net after deflecting off defender Varga before Marshall’s fingertips diverted it wide, it was was soon matched when Alan Hutton, who retained his place ahead of Fernando Ricksen, thought he had scored with a powerful downward header until his fellow 19-year-old somehow palmed it wide at full stretch.

Peter Lovenkrands then squandered a great chance, driving the ball into the side-netting from seven yards after being set up by Michael Mols.

The second half saw rangers try and get back into the game and Hutton produced the first goal threat, but his shot from the edge of the box was deflected just wide of the far post.

Celtic sealed victory after 51 minutes, when Zura Khizanishvili was robbed on the edge of the box by Larsson. The Swede set up Pearson and, when his shot was blocked by Klos, Thompson followed up, rounded Klos and stroked the ball into the net off the toe of Bob Malcolm.

Celtic nearly wrapped it up at 3-0 when Chris Sutton’s header was poked on to the crossbar by Varga from just three yards out.

Stefan Klos then pulled off point-blank save to deny Larsson from eight yards and Marshall did likewise at the other end to prevent Mols making it 2-1.

Rangers did get a goal back when Steven Thompson rose to head home for Rangers after 82 minutes, before Michael Ball squandered a late chance of an equaliser.

There may well have been concerns in the Celtic camp prior to the game with the encounter coming so soon after a backs to the wall performance at the Nou Camp, however truth be told even defeat on the day would have made no difference to the outcome of the title race.

There were no such concerns for the Celtic support who returned to a beach ball theme from the season before, to show the visit to Ibrox was simply going to be a celebration win, lose or draw. The pause to the kick off only delayed the inevitable for the Ibrox club. The 2-1 win ensured Celtic would depose Rangers as Scottish champions at the end of the season.

For Celtic the title was all but won, for Rangers much like the inflatables on the pitch prior to kick off their ball was well and truly burst.

Niall J

Myself with Paul, Stripey Cat, Neil and Friends

Incidentally Liam Kelly’s article on his first away day trip European adventure following Celtic was published on The Celtic Star last night was a brilliant read and you can enjoy it HERE.

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About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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