| Match Pictures | Matches:1971 – 1972 | 1971-72 Pictures |
Trivia
- John Hughes was ruled out having suffered a knee injury against Morton in the 1-0 loss. In came Lou Macari at outside left. Jim Brogan was again fit and started in place of Danny McGrain.
- Celtic comprehensively beat Rangers with a devastating second half performance.
- Dalglish now rated the most exciting talent in Scottish football.
- This was Celtic's second win at Ibrox within two weeks with another Ibrox game in the league scheduled for September 11th.
Review
Rangers pressurised Celtic without making a breakthrough in the first half.
Celtic's first was a classic counter attack after Murdoch and Lennox combined to send Dalglish clear and he coolly scored.
Rangers looked a beaten team after that and Callaghan and Lennox scored with fine shots from outside the box before the end.
Celtic fans sang loudly throughout the second half in stark contrast to those at the other end of the ground.
Morton 2 – 0 Ayr Utd
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Celtic | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| Rangers | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Morton | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Ayr Utd | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 1 |
Teams
Rangers:
McCloy Jardine Mathieson Greig McKinnon Jackson McLean MacDonald (Conn) Stein Johnstone Johnston
Celtic:
Williams, Brogan, Hay, Murdoch (Hood), McNeill, Connelly, Johnstone, Lennox, Dalglish, Callaghan, Macari
Goals: Dalglish 48, Callaghan 71, Lennox 82
Referee: W Anderson (East Kilbride)
Attendance 74,000
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times 30th August 1971
Glasgow Herald 30th August 1971
GLASGOW HERALD REPORT BY JIM PARKINSON
FRENCH MANAGER TIPS CELTIC AS EUROPE'S OUTSTANDING TEAM
Jean Prouff, manager of Rennes, the French side who play Rangers in the European Cup Winner Cup in a few weeks time, is one of those characters wholly appreciative of the best in football. His trip to the Old Firm's second League Cup confrontation at Ibrox Stadium was undertaken to assess his Scottish opponents but he departed singing the praises of Celtic.
Perhaps he had forgotten the exact nature of his mission, having become so enraptured with the Parkhead team's skills, the sort of display that prompted him to predict that they will be Europe's outstanding team this season.
The Frenchman was silent about his impression of Rangers, who although playing well since they set out to defend their League Cup, have been unfortunate to run into Celtic at their peak twice in a fortnight.
Celtic were undisputed masters. They are virtually assured of their place in the quarter finals. One point against Ayr United at Parkhead will secure the section.
This match between Glasgow's great rivals and watched by a 74,000 all ticket crowd further disproved the theory that we cannot have a good Old Firm contest. We have now had two exciting games in quick succession in which the brand of football, particularly that of Celtic, has overshadowed the rougher aspects of the duel. The referee cautioned only one player, Davie Hay, at the weekend. He was booked in the first game as well but in both instances I feel he was unlucky to be singled out. There had been worst offences previously, but as in the previous tie, Hay had committed his infringement at a time when the official was determined to stamp his authority on the match and prevent any escalation of trouble.
The incident done nothing to upset the free running Hay. He was following his team's example. Jock Stein told his players before the match that the defeat by Morton last week which threw the section wide open should be erasedfrom their minds. Not for a minute did they play like a worried side and took the field confident that what they had done two weeks ago they could do again.
Yet for all Celtic's sophistication and penetration they have not scored before the interval in any of their five League Cup ties. Mr Stein is attaching no special significance to this shortcoming although he would prefer to see the goals coming early to make things easier in the latter stages.
Celtic did not have a bad player. They fielded Jim Brogan for the first time in over three weeks with Hay but reversed their full back positions. They had instructions to change over it it was required but that was never needed. Billy McNeill had his best game of the season and George Connelly ambled from defence to attack without ever causing a gap.
It was in the midfield however that Celtic exerted their authority. Bobby Murdoch directed passs with rare judgement but in my opinion there was no one to surpassTommy Callaghan. Celtic are now deriving the benefit of this tall wing half who takes a defence apart by the power of his thrusts It is a tribute to his perseverance that he has established a place in the Celtic team and cannot be dispossessed.
Callaghan scored the second goal in 71 minutesand it will rank as one of the most spectacular in an Old Firm encounter. The goal that completely disillusioned Rangers however, was scored by Kenny Dalglish, three minutes after the interval. Dalglish's intelligent positioning was always menacing and he distributed the ball excellently to Lennox, Macari and Jimmy Johnstone.
Rangers defensive pair of Ronnie McKinnon and Colin Jackson were under the severest pressure. Neither was in the vicinity when Williams, with a fine throw, gave the ball to Murdoch. The latter flighted up the middle were only Mathieson was left to cover Lennox and Dalglish and the young centre ran on to make the most of his chance.
Both sided made substitution because of injuries : Hood for Murdoch and Conn for MacDonald – before Callaghan's goal and there were vast spaces in the Rangers end before Lennox scored the third near the end.
Peter McCloy, the giant goalkeeper, was undoubtedly Rangers best player and this is a commentary on how hard pressed the Ibrox defence were, especially after the interval.
Rangers swung the ball about and played an open game at the start, but did not possess the smoothness or technique of Celtic. Their approach to goal was not so assured as their rivals and theuir forwards did not have te lightnong reflexes to take what little chances were presented. One in particular could have made a difference shortly after Celtic had scored, Derek Johnstone tried to bundle the ball over the line but Jim Brogan marked his come back by sliding in and clearing.
RANGERS – McCloy Jardine Mathieson Greig McKinnon Jackson McLean MacDonald (Conn) Stein Johnstone Johnston
CELTIC – Williams, Brogan, Hay, Murdoch (Hood), McNeill, Connelly, Johnstone, Lennox, Dalglish, Callaghan, Macari.
Goals:- Dalglish 48, Callaghan 71, Lennox 82.
Attendnce 74,000