Match Pictures | Matches: 1987 – 1988 | 1987-88 Pictures | 80’s Pictures
Trivia
- Billy McNeill’s first game against Rangers since returning as Celtic manager.
- Late fitness tests for Paul McStay and Derek Whyte who both missed the midweek Skol Cup tiev Dumbarton
- Celtic had four players making their Old Firm debuts – McKnight, Morris, Stark and Walker.
- Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell, who had McKnight on loan at Albion Rovers the previous season, visited Celtic Park the day before to wishhim luck
- Rangers’ player manager Graeme Souness was sent off.
- Rangers’ captain Graham Roberts refuses to shake hands with Celtic players after final whistle.
Review
Celtic’s patient, methodical approach was in sharp contrast to Rangers’ physical approach.
Stark’s brilliant low shot was fit to win the match after fine build up work from Burns, Grant and McGhee.
In the second half Burns went close and new Rangers debutant McCall whacked a header off his own crossbar as Celtic pressed for a killer second.
Souness’ crunching tackle on Stark fully deserved a red card and came when the Celtic player’s boot had come off.
New keeper McKnight had very little to do in his first big match.
Despite Rangers big money signings Celtic had struck the first blow by not only winning but winning well.
Teams
Celtic:
McKnight, Morris, Rogan, Aitken, Whyte, Grant, Stark, McStay, McGhee, Walker, Burns
Subs: McGugan, Archdeacon
Scorer: Stark (5)
Rangers:
Woods, Nicholl, Munro, Roberts, Souness, McGregor, Ferguson, Falco, McCoist, Durrant, Cooper (McCall)
Subs: McCall, Cohen
Referee: David Syme
Attendance: 60,800
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times 31st August 1987
Glasgow Herald 31st August 1987