1982-12-04: Celtic 2-1 Rangers, League Cup

Match Pictures \| Matches: 1982 – 1983 \| 1982-83 Pictures

Match Pictures | Matches: 1982 – 1983 | 1982-83 Pictures

Trivia

League Cup final
Danny McGrain lifts the League Cup as Celtic captain for the only time. This was Celtic’s first LCF victory since October 1974.
4000 fans have a tour of Celtic Park on the morning of the game as the reserves put on a training display on the pitch.
The Hampden North enclosure was shut for repair after the demolition of the old North stand. This reduces the crowd considerably.
Celtic fans were drenched on a day of constant heavy rain whilst standing in the uncovered Kings Park end of Hampden.
Celtic players allowed to show the cup to the fans behind the goal but no lap of honour after the 1980 cup final riot.
First ever sponsored League Cup final by Telejector UK.
Telejector offered £20,000 for a hat trick and £10,000 for a four goal win.
Rangers controversially signed the Brighton striker Gordon Smith on loan 48 hours before the final.
First League Cup winners medal for every Celtic player with the exception of McGrain.

League Cup Final, Celtic v Rangers

Review

Celtic regain the League Cup after eight years thanks to spectacular goals from Charlie Nicholas and Murdo MacLeod. Nicholas now said to be in the £1M plus bracket.

Celtic were 2-0 up at half time and Rangers had not got a shot on goal until the 40th minute. This gave the fans hope of a considerable victory on day of dreadful conditions of wind and heavy rain throughout the day. Both goals were splendid efforts, Nicholas scoring with a shot on the move after a fine Provan run and MacLeod scoring with a trade mark blistering shot high into the top corner of the net from the edge of the area after Rangers had cleared a Provan corner.

However Jim Bett scored from a fine free kick in 47 minutes to set them back. They reacted well and the normally reliable McGarvey and Nicholas missed sitters to give the score a more realistic look.

In the closing seconds only a fine interception by Aitken prevented MacDonald from having the chance to equalise.

Celtic were worthy winners and paraded the trophy in front of their rain soaked fans on the open Hampden tearraces.

Davie Provan gave what was perhaps his best ever game in a Celtic jersey and he was named Telejector man if the match. Provan’s dribbling, passing and crossing were all exceptional and both Celtic goals were created by him.

Teams

Celtic:
Bonner, McGrain,Sinclair,Aitken, McAdam, MacLeod, Provan, McStay (sub Reid), McGarvey, Burns, Nicholas
Sub McCluskey
Goals: Nicholas (22), MacLeod (31)

Rangers:
Stewart, MacKinnon, Redford, McClelland, Patterson, Bett, Cooper, Prytz (sub Dawson), Johnstone, Russell (sub MacDonald), Smith
Goal: Bett (47)

Referee K Hope
Attendance: 55,372