Battle of the new Bosses – Billy McNeill’s Celtic beats John Greig’s Rangers in their first Old Firm match as managers

Celtic defeated Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park on this day in 1978 with Tom McAdam (then a forward) and George McCluskey getting the goals in what was Billy McNeill’s first Old Firm game as the Celtic manager. It was also John Greig’s first game against Celtic as the Rangers manager.

A shout out to Peter Latchford who saved a penalty in this match (yes they got one!)…this was also Joe Craig’s last game for Celtic as he signed for Blackburn Rovers a few days after this win over Rangers with the club receiving a fee of around £50,000.

Celtic: Latchford, Fillipi, Lynch, Aitken, Edvaldsson, Conroy, Doyle, Glavin, McAdam, Burns (Casey), McCluskey (Craig).
Scorers: McAdam (2), McCluskey (14), McAdam (76)

Rangers: McCloy, Jardine, A Forsyth, T Forsyth, Jackson, McDonald (Miller), McLean (Cooper), Russell, Parlane, Johnstone, Smith.

Scorer: Parlane (49)

Referee: D Syme (Glasgow)
Attendance 60,000

The photos of this game on The Celtic Wiki are certainly tasty…

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. I had just started 1st year at Lourdes secondary school in cardonald in August so with a huge crowd of bhoys from school we went to the game most of us from pollok getting the bus into town then a 62 up to the ground then standing at number 7 in the jungle watching the bhoys turn them over and then taking your life in your hands going back into town when in those days a lot the fans of both sides walked back and both sides met at Glasgow cross. Crazy days but the excitement made you crave for the next game.