Twenty years ago today we were told they welcomed the chase, in the end it was a stroll…
Twenty years ago today we headed to Ibrox to face Rangers in the first Glasgow derby of the 2003/04 season.
The Ibrox side were the current Champions, top of the table and undefeated. The hordes had come to Greyskull with high expectations, proof of that up in the stands in the form of a banner declaring ‘we welcome the chase’.
Celtic arrived at Ibrox meaning business. We had of course finished the previous season empty handed still hurting from our UEFA cup final defeat and losing the title on the last day of a dramatic finale to the season.
We were far the better team, luck just wasn’t on our side and dealt us a bitter blow. On this day, the 4th of October 2003, we aimed to prove our credentials and what better place to that than at the home of our most bitter rivals. Due to selection dilemmas Chris Sutton partnered Stan Varga in the heart of the defence. Such was the big Englishman’s versatility it wasn’t a problem for us and so it would prove.
This meant John Hartson partnered Henrik Larsson in attack showcasing the riches of talent we had in our squad back then. The big Welshman would prove to be the difference as his goal, although credited as an Zura Khizanishvili own goal would prove to be the winner seconds after the restart in front of a jubilant Celtic support in the Broomloan.
Chris Sutton was a worthy Man of the Match as he put in a solid display at centre back alongside big Stan Varga. Don’t let that fool you though as it wasn’t a back to the wall performance as we were more than worthy winners and were unlucky not to score at least one more goal.
In the end we got the victory we came for and leapfrogged Rangers at the top of the table. Somewhere we would stay for the rest of the season without even so much as a chase.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Join The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale on Thursday 19 October when we celebrate the launch of Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan which tells the story of Gordon Strachan’s first season as Celtic manager. We’ll have the trophies that the Celtic team won that season plus well delighted welcome our special guests John Hartson and Stephen McManus, both stars of that Celtic team.
And we have other guests to be announced later this week plus there’s live music from the wonderful Boolavogue. Tickets are selling fast for what is sure to be a wonderful night of Celtic conversation and music and you can order below…
Stop calling Poundland Greyskull. Greyskull was the home of the good guys. That would make us the bad guys.
I was in the top of the free broomloan stand that day and the ball took forever to go in the net, it is the best place to win a game and it was great watching that shower walking down paisley rd before games were finished
Beat me to it Derek,
Does my head in
K