For the Glasgow Derby on this day in 1987, Rangers rather set the tone for the proceedings by refusing to come out side by side with Celtic and from the start, it was a bruising encounter.
After only 18 minutes, Rangers keeper Chris Woods objected to a challenge by Frank McAvennie and other players got themselves involved in the fracas. Woods and McAvennie were both ordered off and Graeme Roberts took over in goal. Later in the match, Terry Butcher was also sent off for a foul on Celtic’s keeper Alan McKnight. The game ended in a 2-all draw but most unusually, the law now became involved.
Four players – Woods, Roberts, Butcher and McAvennie – were charged with breach of the peace and a trial was held in April 1988, after which some conflicting verdicts were announced. Woods and Butcher were found guilty and fined; the case against Roberts was not proven; and McAvennie was cleared with a not guilty verdict.
It was a most unusual circumstance in the history of Scottish football…but remembered happily by Celtic fans as ‘The Case of Goldilocks and the Three Gers’.
On this day in 1914, Willie Buchan was born.
Nineteen years later, after a spell with Grange Rovers, Willie joined Celtic, for whom he made 139 appearances – with 59 goals – over a four-year period.
Among the highlights of Willie’s career was the 1937 Scottish Cup final, played in front of a record attendance of 146,433, when he scored the winner in the 2-1 victory.
Shortly afterwards, Willie moved to Blackpool.
Willie Buchan died on 6 July 2003 at Polmont.
Jim Craig
Why not order David Potter’s new book Celtic – How the League was Won 49 Times. It’s packed full of Celtic history from James Kelly to James Forrest and everyone in between!
Have you visited the new Celtic fans forum yet? It’s called Celtic Noise and gives you a great opportunity to join in the Celtic conversation…
