| Match Pictures | Matches: 1967 – 1968 | 1967-68 Pictures |
Trivia
- This was an all-ticket game with the ground limit set at 75,000.
- With Rangers two points ahead in the League this was a crucial game and there had been a lead up to this fixture for the previous two weeks.
- Both managers boxed clever prior to the game refusing to commit themselves to any line-up and in the previous game Jock Stein had rested Jim Craig, John Clark and Jimmy Johnstone. Ronnie Simpson was definetly out injured having picked up a rib and ankle injury in the game the previous day against Clyde in which Fallon had been due to play.
- When the announcements of the teams was made both managers had surprises. Bobby Murdoch was moved up to the front line to add size and shooting power with both Chalmers and McBride dropping out. Jim Brogan moved to right half with John Clark back in and Jimmy Johnstone was out on the right wing. Rangers had Greig man-marking Jinky and Jardine moved to right half to watch the speed of Lennox and up front they stuck the big men.
- Willie Wallace for Celtic and Alex Ferguson for Rangers were of course both out suspended for past misdemeanours.
- Although Gemmell was listed at left back he was played at right back with Cattanach going over to the left back position.
- Twenty minutes from time Auld came off and was replaced in a debut by Jimmy Quinn who had put in some pretty good performances with the Reserves – enough to win himself a debut in the Glasgow derby as his grandfather would have wanted.
Review
Celtic scored two fine goals through Murdoch and Auld. Murdoch’s goal was sensational, swivelling in the area to send a glorious left foot shot on the turn high past Sorensen. This gave Celtic a deserved 2-1 advantage. Auld’s first goal came direct from a free kick won after Johnstone was yet again bowled over by Grug. Bertie hit it hard into the wall and the ball spun off Jardine and past Sorensen.
Rangers fielded Greig at left back to man mark Jimmy Johnstone but the wee Celt gave Greig a torrid time and Greig resorted to some heavy challenges which the referee seemed happy to tolerate. Murdoch was influential in the unusual role of inside right with Jim Brogan fielded at right half. It was Brogan that made the pass to Murdoch twelve minutes from time for Bobby to swivel and hit a belter of a shot past Sorensen for what everybody thought was the winner.
Rangers equaliser came two minutes from time and was dramatic and tragic for Celtic keeper Fallon. Kai Johansen ventured forward and hit a speculative shot which Fallon allowed to go under his body. He had also allowed Johnston’s shot to squirm out of his hands and over the line for Rangers first goal.
This was a blow to Celtic who deserved both points.
Teams
Celtic
Fallon, Cattanach, Gemmell, Brogan, McNeill, Clark, Johnstone, Murdoch, Hughes, Auld (Quinn, 70) Lennox.
Scorers Auld (18), Murdoch (78)
Rangers
Sorensen, Johansen, Greig, Jardine, McKinnon, D. Smith, Penman, Watson (A Smith, 85), Hynd, Johnston, Persson
Scorers Johnston (55), Johansen (88)
Referee: R H Davidson (Airdrie)
Attendance: 75,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times
