1971-05-08: Celtic 1-1 Rangers, Scottish Cup Final

Match Pictures \| Matches: 1970 – 1971 \| 1970-1971 Pictures

Match Pictures | Matches: 1970 – 1971 | 1970-1971 Pictures

Trivia

Celtic were strong favourites and a newspaper poll of 16 Scottish first division captains were split 14-2 in favour of a Celtic victory.
With the Ibrox disaster still fresh in the memory the Hampden capacity was given as 134,000 with several Glasgow councillors protesting it was too high. On the day over 120,000 attended the game.
Speculation was rife before the game on who Jock Stein would send out on the park. The squad left for Seamills on the Thursday and on Friday a squad for the game was named. Basically Jock decisded to play the main team that had played against Ayr Utd, the game after being the last Lions game and the Reserves having been sent out in the Glasgow Cup semi final.
There is one reference to Lou Macari having asked for a transfer before this, the '71 final, but he was included in the squad and was on the bench
Rangers lost Dave Smith and Sandy Jardine with injury in the days leading up to the game and Mathieson, Jackson and Henderson had all had to overcome injuries.
Newspapers reported 60 people injured and 188 arrests during the game when trouble flared at the Mount Florida end at half time.

Review

Rangers started well and had Celtic pressed back. Lennox used his speed to break through and open the scoring and after that Celtic clicked into gear and missed several chances.
Celtic protested that Derek Johnstone's late equaliser was offside but the goal stood.
After the match Jock Stein was said to be critical of his forwards and indicated that changes would be made for the replay.
Rangers' Alex Miller bravely played on until full time after breaking his jaw.