On this day in 1991 Celtic played Rangers at Celtic Park for the second time in a week. Quickly following up on a 2-0 St Patrick’s Day Scottish Cup win, Celtic faced their rivals again this time in the bread and butter of the Premier League.
It had now been two and a half years and nine previous meetings since Celtic had won a derby encounter in the league. The Scottish Cup win for Celtic had extended Rangers 10 year cup wait the previous Sunday. It was time to lay a few ghosts to rest for Celtic and they did just that.
The game itself saw a lot more football played than in the previous week’s cup tie and less in the way of red cards for referee George Smith to hand out, after 4 dismissals the previous week.
Joe Miller had the first opportunity on seven minutes to hurt the Rangers rear-guard. He won a free kick down Rangers left hand side, he had in fact been fouled in the build-up but as he broke clear with the opportunity to play the ball into the box referee Smith called the game back for the initial foul, much to the frustration of Celtic players and fans.
There was something ironic then when from Joe Miller’s resultant free kick Gough’s defensive header was dropped by Woods in the Rangers goal. Gerry Creaney moved for the ball as Woods in his desperation hauled down the Celtic striker who was looking to hook the ball into the net, this time the advantage played into the hands of Celtic when the ball fell kindly for Anton Rogan who took advantage and scored.
Rangers then took complete control of the next half an hour at Parkhead. Thankfully for all their efforts they couldn’t score.
‘Judas’ Johnston headed past after Spencer fed Nisbet wide. Pat Bonner stepped up and grabbed almost everything from the air while commanding his box as best he could under regular Rangers onslaughts.
Nisbet again crossed from a Gary Stevens pass. Paul Elliot’s high boot into the face appeared enough to worry Ally McCoist as he shut his eyes and headed wide at the far post as Bonner again moved across to cover. Richard Gough then had a header off the line from McStay. Bonner from the corner made a superb save.
The Paul Elliot-Richard Gough battle saw both players booked late in the first half but neither player had asked for anything, the referee could have let it run. Mark McNally was booked for a foul on Spencer and as Celtic made some sort of late first half revival Joe Miller swung in a corner that St Patrick’s Day hero Dariusz Wdowcyk put his attempt just wide.
The start of the second half again saw Rangers in the ascendency. ‘Judas’ Johnston was fouled by John Collins in the shadow of the main stand. Nisbet played the ball into the box and McCoist managed to get a touch on the ball and play into the path of Rangers John Spencer. It looked the easiest of finishes but Spencer appeared to panic and although he did get the shot goalward, Paul Elliot blocked the ball short of the goal line. It was the moment where Celtic woke up and went on to dominate proceedings.
Celtic broke up the park and Tommy Coyne drove into the box. He managed to get round the keeper but over-ran the ball. It looked like the chance may be gone but Coyne was coolness personified as he turned himself back into an angle where he could pass. He found Joe Miller darting between two defenders and Miller tapped the ball into the net to put The Hoops two goals up. It was a goal Miller’s performance deserved and the assist was sheer determination and endeavour from Tommy Coyne.
With daylight between the sides Rangers ill-discipline returned. Scott Nisbet committed a hideous tackle from behind, off the ground and straight into the calf off Paul McStay. It was a brutal assault and ref Smith had no choice but to send Nisbet off. The Rangers man had the cheek to look surprised at the decision. It was a wild challenge and Nisbet walked off to a ‘Not the View’ fanzine inspired, red card display from the Celtic support.
Rangers had two further chances. Bonner flapped from a throw in and Spencer once again had a tap in but Anton Rogan continued his hero of the day performance by clearing off the line. ‘Judas’ Johnston then found himself straight through on goal but shot pathetically straight at Bonner.
The impressive Joe Miller also had a hand in Celtic’s third goal. He fed Paul McStay who delivered a devastating cross for Tommy Coyne. The Celtic striker met the ball well and powered a downward header into the keeper’s bottom right corner. 3-0 Celtic and a Palm Sunday Humiliation was added to the previous week’s St Patrick’s Day massacre.
The Celtic team on the day was as follows: Bonner; Wdowczyk, Rogan, McNally, Elliott, Whyte, Miller, McStay, Coyne, Creaney (Walker, 82min), Collins (Fulton, 86).
Goals: Rogan (7), Miller (53), Coyne (85)
The result meant two victories in a week over our greatest rivals. A tough season was starting to look like there was promise ahead. Yet in true Celtic style of the time they immediately lost their next game 2-1 to Motherwell. The inconsistency of Celtic in the early nineties summed up.
As ever we’ve included the match highlights to help you through these weeks without our regular fix of football.
In the meantime please stay safe and take care of you and yours. Think about signing up over on Celtic Noise, to join our Celtic community and enjoy the social interaction with fellow Celtic Supporters – you will be made very welcome indeed and signing up is quick and easy.
And if you fancy having a crack at writing about Celtic for The Celtic Star why not give it a go during these stay at home days? Send your contribution, which can be on any Celtic related topic of your choosing to editor@thecelticstar.co.uk and we’ll do the rest.
Niall J
Take The Celtic Star’s Photo Tour of Celtic Park and enjoy our stunning photos from inside Paradise RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
Support Celtic Youth Development
Help raise money for Celtic Youth Development by joining the £1 weekly lottery and you could win up to £25,000 – just click on any one of the photographs below to join. Lots of our readers have already done so and they’re now doing their bit to help fund Celtic Youth Development that can deliver the stars of tomorrow and beyond. And you might even win a few bob too! And a special thank you to all The Celtic Star readers who have already signed up and are now supporting youth development to give us the Celtic Stars of the future…
