It has often been argued that the League Cup played a big role in stopping Rangers’ efforts to get ‘Ten In A Row’ titles. The Bhoys struggled through the 1990s, and the Ibrox men were favourites to achieve their goal. Instead, new manager Wim Jansen celebrated League Cup success at Ibrox in November 1997, and this inspired the team to win Celtic’s only title of the decade.
However, particularly in the 20th century, there have also been problems with Celtic and the League Cup. The Celts have suffered a remarkably poor record in many of these finals.
From 1970 to 1994, Celtic played in 13 finals. This indeed was unlucky for some as only twice did the trophy then come to Parkhead. Some of these defeats are particularly renowned, including a 4-1 hammering from Partick Thistle and defeat from a Tommy Gemmell-inspired Dundee side.
The 1994 final is rightly regarded as one of Celtic’s nightmare moments. The Bhoys won the 1989 Scottish Cup but then had nothing else to celebrate for years. By late-November 1994, it looked like this barren run would come to an end when the Celts faced lower-league side Raith Rovers in the final.
Especially after taking twice the lead – and being in front with four minutes remaining – it looked like the story would end as expected. Instead, two Raith equalisers took the game to penalties. Paul McStay missed the all-important kick and there was “Dancing in the streets” as the Rovers won 6-5.
This was Celtic’s first League Cup Final defeat on penalties, and their second final penalties loss in the 1990s. Fortunately, the Celts’ one other League Cup Final penalties experience had a much more positive outcome.
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