| Match Pictures | Matches 1979 1980 | 1979-80 Pictures |
Trivia
- With Rangers losing to Hibernian on the previous weekend they considered this a 'must win' game.
- Last game of the decade for both clubs.
- Lennox ends the decade as he started it – by scoring goals.
- Attendance was reduced to 34,000 because of building the Broomloan stand.
- The Reserves won 4-0 at Celtic Park ainst Rangers with goals from Charlie Nicholas (2), Lynch and Conroy. The team was Bonner, W McStay, Reid, Duffy, Young, Casey, Conroy, Nicholas, Lynch, Weir, Halpin. Subs Greenfield, Feeney.
Review
Celtic played cautiously and this gave the initiative to Rangers.
Rangers had most attacks on a treacherous surface and Celtic were forced to defend with Latchford making three outstanding saves.
Latchford was only beaten by Johnstone's header when he slipped on the icy surface going for the ball.
Celtic surged straight into attack and the veteran Lennox scored a fine equaliser when he spun on a loose ball in the area after a Sullivan cross had not been cleared.
Teams
Rangers
McCloy, Jardine, T Forsyth, Jackson, Dawson, Russell (Miller), Stevens, A MacDonald, McLean, Johnstone, J MacDonald Sub: Cooper
Goal: Johnstone (73)
Celtic:
Latchford, Sneddon, MacDonald, McAdam, McGrain, Sullivan, Aitken, MacLeod, Provan, Lennox, Doyle Subs:- Edvaldsson, McCluskey
Goal: Lennox (74)
Referee: E Pringle (Edinburgh)
Attendance: 34,000
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times 31st December 1979
Glasgow Herald 31st December 1979
1st Report
"JOHNSTONE scored after Latchford in Celtic goal slipped.73 mins Lennox equalised immediatly after from Aitken free kick.
Huns needed to win to peg back Celts lead in table.
Greig claimed our goal was offside ,and we stole a point.but we should have had a penalty when Aitken shot hit Stevens arm."
2nd Report
"The huns played oot their skin in the first half.Had Latchford not made several crucial saves from a Colin Jackson header and two from BFDJ they would have been well up at half time.
A Tommy McLean cross from the right,a slip by the goalkeeper and a header from Judas Iscariot put the Huns one up.(73)
Sixty seconds later a Dom Sullivan free kick was headed on well by Roy Aitken into the path of Bobby Lennox who made no mistake, 1-1.
Celtic were denied a late penalty when an Aitken shot was handled in the box by Stevens.(Penalties at Ipox required a death certificate signed by two doctors).
The draw kept Celtic at the top of the league 6 points clear of the huns in third place behind MORTON."
GLASGOW HERALD REPORT BY JIM REYNOLDS
'CELTIC STOLE POINT', SAYS GREIG
The quietest and one of the most enjoyable Old Firm games in recent years ended all square at Ibrox at the weekend, but the after match reactions from both camps were poles apart. From Rangers it was bitter disappointment while all connected with Celtic displayed a quiet satisfaction.
Rangers had to win this one to pin back Celtic's massive lead in the Premier League, but they failed despite having the edge for the 90 minutes. They showed more commitment which was not surprising considering their desperate need of the two points, and created many more chances.
When they did take the lead late on, they let Celtic off the hook within a minute. Like all good Champions the Parkhead side took their chance and left with a point.
'They stole a point' said Rangers manager John Greig afterwards. 'My players thought the Celtic equaliser was offside, so we are really disappointed at losing a point in such a controversial way.'
Bobby Lennox's equaliser was certainly a borderline case but Celtic could claim they were denied a second half penalty when a shot from Roy Aitken hit Gregor Stevens on the arm.
For me the most pleasant aspect of the game was the behaviour of the players. While all the traditional excitement and effort was there, the match was completely free from the nastiness and petty feuds which have marred many of the recent matches between the two clubs.
Rangers produced their best performance for some time and should have been in front at half time. They would have been had it not been for Latchford who, according to McNeill, is having his best ever spell for the club. The Englishman denied Rangers three times in the first half with a wonderful save from a Jackson header and two great interceptions as Johnstone looked set to score.
Latchford was out of luck when Rangers took the lead in 73 minutes. When Tommy McLean crossed from the right, the big keeper slipped on the icy surface and had no chance with Johnstone's header.
Celtic's reply was immediate. A free kick from the silky Dom Sullivan was headed on by Aitken and Lennox ended the decade as he had started it – in scoring mood. And now with only one Old Firm encounter left in theseason, Rangers must rely on others to help them close the gap.