| Match Pictures | Matches: 1972 – 1973 | 1972-73 Pictures |
Trivia
- Danny McGrain, who had dropped out of the last game aga
inst Hibs before Christmas, along with Macari and Murdoch played for the Reserves against Kilmarmock Reserves on the 26th. Celtic were due to play Kilmarnock on the Saturday 30th Jimmy Johnstone was definetly out having been injured against Hibs. Also out with 'flu were Billy McNeill and Harry Hood. The Rugby Park game was called off when the 'flu casualties from the first team candidates soared to 8. Both Hibernian and Rangers won narrowing the gap at the top of the table to 2 points. The game against Morton was also postponed and with both Rangers and Hibernian winning their respective games, Celtic dropped to second in the table.
- On the 28th December Jock Stein was taken ill and he was admitted to Glasgow Infirmary for observation in the heart unit. He would remain in hospital for two weeks with Sean Fallon taking over day-to-day responsibility.
- The Reserve game against Morton took on a critical role to see who was fit for the Glasgow Derby. Nearly all pulled through with only Jimmy Johnstone still out.
- This was an all ticket game with a 3:00pm kick off. The police had recommended a 12:00 kick off which Rangers rejected.
- Willie Ormond was appointed the new Scotland team manager. He had previously been in charge at St Johnstone.
- Rangers new centenary stand is used for the first time.
- Evan Williams saved a Parlane penalty.
- Macari stuns Celts with transfer request – 'I feel the game in Scotland is dying…I want to protect my future.' Joins Manchester Utd on 18th Jan for £200,000. Macari made his statement over the weekend after the Glasgow Derby.
- "I just think it's a better, more decent life in England. Certainly the money matters but there's more to it than that. The whole atmosphere is different down there. It's not easy being a Celtic player. I don't go out much socially because you can run into stupid people who resent you for what you do for a living. It's too small up here. I want to go somewhere where I can leave my football behind me when I leave the club. I feel you have to make a move sometime and it's best to do it when you are on top."
Review
Rangers controlled most of the game and their win was hard earned.
McCluskey rugby tackled MacDonald from behind and Parlane needed a lucky rebound from the resultant penalty after Williams saved with his legs.
Celtic's equaliser was fortunate as Deans' shot took a wicked deflection off Smith to enter the net. Conn's peristence earned him the winner in the final minute when he headed in a Young cross. Hay, handicapped by an earlier injury could not rise to challenge him. Celtic badly missing the influence of Bobby Murdoch in midfield.
Rangers are now real contenders for the title.
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Hibernian | 19 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 53 | 19 | 30 |
| Rangers | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 18 | 29 |
| Celtic | 17 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 48 | 18 | 28 |
Teams
Rangers:
McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Johnstone, Smith, Conn, Forsyth, Parlane, MacDonald, Young Sub: McLean
Goals:- Parlane (24), Conn (89).
Celtic:
Williams, Hay, Brogan, McCluskey (Hood), McNeill, Connelly, Johnstone, Deans, Dalglish, Macari, Callaghan.
Goal:- Deans (57) (sometimes given as Smith OG).
Referee: J Paterson (Bothwell)
Attendance:- 67,000.
