1994-08-27: Rangers 0-2 Celtic, Premier Division

The Independent (London)
August28, 1994, Sunday

Football: DominantCelticturn on the style

BYLINE:JAMES TRAYNOR

SECTION:SPORT PAGE; Page 6

Rangers 0 Celtic 2
Collins 45, McStay 47
Attendance: 45,466

EMBARRASSED in Europe and now humbled byCeltic,the clubRangersthought they had left behind on their way to greater things. Only a few weeks into a new season and it looks as though the Ibrox club's dreams are crumbling into dust.

Rangers,in fact, have become unfortunate victims of their own success, with their supporters demanding more than the players can deliver.

Having conquered the domestic scene in recent times,Rangersinevitably had to turn their attention to an assault on the elite of Europe and millions of pounds have been spent in an attempt to build a side capable of competing with the best. Two seasons ago, when they almost reached the European Cup final, it seemed they were heading in the right direction, but the euphoria of those days disguised the truth.

Even thenRangerswere in need of further modifications. Some players had peaked and althoughRangers'manager Walter Smith confronted the fact, he found it difficult to find the right replacements.With his chairman David Murray's blessing, almost pounds 10m has been spent over the past 14 months – on Duncan Ferguson, Brian Laudrup, and Basile Boli – but still the team malfunctions. And Europe seems beyond their reach.

AEK Athens humiliatedRangersover two legs, the second of which was played at Ibrox on Wednesday night, and Smith had to bring his players back from that despair to faceCeltic.A win in the first Old Firm match of the season would have acted as a balm to soothe the pain of losing in Europe. It would also have appeased the tribal urges of theRangersfans, who made up the bulk of the 45,446 crowd. Europe is the aim, but ancient prejudices remain strong. WhenCelticare in the vicinity the Milans of this world can all wait.

The passion swilling around the ground was potent, but Smith's players could not respond, and it all became too much for many of their fans. Some left long before the end and those who stood their ground fell silent until Smith decided to take off Ian Durrant and send on Duncan Ferguson.Howls of disapproval greeted the change and a fan even ran to the directors' box, where he shouted at Murray. In the past the chairman has been approached only to be congratulated, but frustration now drives this club's vast army of supporters, who are finding it difficult to cope with failure.]

Having been fed on a rich diet of success they have become blase about domestic success and another Premier Division championship, even though it would beRangers'seventh in succession, will not satisfy them. Indeed, Smith's team could win the title and one of the cups but still be regarded as failures in the eyes of many of their fans.
It would be a ridiculous scenario, but it would be the price ofRangers'dominance, which may be coming to an end asCelticare again looking as though they are believers.

They beatRangerscomfortably, and when John Collins – who has now scored in five of the last six Old Firm matches – directed a marvellously struck free-kick into the net seconds from the intervalCelticknew they would win.

TheCelticcaptain, Paul McStay, scored the second goal three minutes into the second half andRangerswere left chasing shadows while trying to cope with the derision of their own fans.

This was Burns' first Old Firm match as manager of the club whose midfield he influenced greatly as a player, and it seems that level of contribution will be continued in his new role.Celtic,too, need an infusion of fresh talent, but at least the current squad are willing to give their all and helpCelticto get among the trophies again.

They have not collected a prize for five seasons, but on yesterday's evidence they look ready to rise again.

The Guardian
August29, 1994
SMITH IS STILL IN THE DOCK;
Patrick Glenn seesRangersin decline as they lose 2-0 toCeltic

BYLINE:Patrick Glenn

SECTION:THE GUARDIAN SPORTS PAGE; Pg. 13

WALTER SMITH's admission of partial culpability forRangers'decline seems to be the kind of subtle deflection R D Laing had in mind when he observed that "you don't cease to be guilty just because you plead guilty".The manager's intransigence in emphasising commitment over inventiveness and skill – his long refusal to use Mikhailichenko in the playmaker's role which made him a star with the old Soviet Union is a prime example – has madeRangersan almost robotic pushover for opponents with a modicum of wit – as AEK Athens demonstrated last Wednesday night.

"I accept I am entitled to be under pressure," Smith said. "Every decision I make is criticised, but criticism of changes is part and parcel of management. When things are going well, people will say, 'That was a great substitution you made.' When things are going badly you get the carping.

"Nobody ever went through a managerial career without pressure, and if I don't want to handle that I shouldn't beRangers'manager. But it's time for level heads and appropriate changes that influence the way we play, because at the moment there is a lot of despondency about the place."On Saturday the despondency bore an uncanny resemblance to despair among the home fans in the 45,000 crowd and it was there long before Collins gaveCelticthe lead with a sensational free-kick on the stroke of half-time. McStay's goal soon after the interval was confirmation of the visitors' superiority – which would have been more heavily underlined had he not hit a post, and had Goram not given such a sound performance in goal.

Celticfans were gratified to see the front players Donnelly and Walker receive the ball at their feet – where it stuck fast – and pull the lumbering defenders Boli, Pressley and McPherson all over the field while McStay, Collins, McGinlay and Grant steamed through the midfield leavingRangersin disarray.

Tommy Burns's first match againstRangersas a manager was an encouraging portent for a man who had accepted what was perceived as the most taxing job in Scottish football. Perhaps he and Smith are on the point of exchanging roles.