| Match Pictures | Matches: 2001 – 2002 |
Trivia
- The point did Celtic more good than Rangers though, with the 10-point difference between the sides maintained.
 |
Review
Celtic had the ball in the net with their first clear-cut opportunity, but it was incorrectly ruled out for offside. Amoruso misjudged a free kick and although Larsson scuffed his shot, Hartson was on hand to turn the ball into the net. But the assistant referee had his flag raised against the Welshman despite Numan playing him onside.
The opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute. Konterman allowed Petrov to escape his attentions and Larsson found the Bulgarian’s run. Stefan Klos rushed out to block but Petrov slid the ball under the keeper.
Larsson almost doubled the lead with an incredible effort, back-heeling a Petrov corner, but the ball went just too high.
Seven minutes into the second half, a flick from Flo set up Konterman for a shot at goal, but Stephen Crainey charged his effort down.
Numan hit a superb equaliser from 25 yards past the despairing dive of Douglas in 59 minutes.
Hartson passed up an excellent opportunity in 66 minutes after Mjallby played him in on Klos only for the German to block his shot.
An in-swinging corner from Guppy was knocked down by Hartson but no Celtic player was on hand to capitalise.
Hugh Dallas had another very poor performance – disallowed a perfectly good Celtic goal scored by John Hartson, let Barry Ferguson have THREE verbal warning before booking him for his fourth, and as many warnings as it took to keep him on the park after that.
Teams
Rangers:-
Klos, Ricksen, Vidmar, Amoruso, Numan, Ferguson, Konterman, McCann, Caniggia (Arveladze 46), Flo, Lovenkrands.
Subs not used:- McGregor, Kanchelskis, Wilson, Hughes.
Goal:- Numan 59.
Booked:- Ferguson.
Celtic:-
Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Crainey, Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Guppy (McNamara 76), Larsson, Hartson.
Subs not used:- Gould, Boyd, Moravcik, Smith.
Goal:- Petrov 23.
Att:- 49,765
Ref:- H Dallas.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Match Report (BBC)
Pictures
Articles
Old Firm are inseparable
BBC
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
Rangers earned a draw against the league leaders with a superb strike from Arthur Numan cancelling out Stilian Petrov’s first-half goal.
But the point did Celtic more good than the home side with the 10-point difference between the sides maintained.
Celtic had the ball in the net with their first clear-cut opportunity, but it was incorrectly ruled out for offside.
Amoruso misjudged a free kick and although Larsson scuffed his shot, Hartson was on hand to turn the ball into the net.
But the assistant referee had his flag raised against the Welshman despite Numan playing him onside.
Numan was next to try his luck, a right-foot effort flying over Rab Douglas’ bar.
The opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute. Konterman allowed Petrov to escape his attentions and Larsson found the Bulgarian’s run.
Stefan Klos rushed out to block but Petrov slid the ball under the keeper.
Larsson almost doubled the lead with an incredible effort, back-heeling a Petrov corner, but the ball went just too high.
As the half drew to a close, Rangers pushed for an equaliser and Douglas had to be sharp to prevent Flo getting on the end of Numan’s through ball.
Moments later, Balde had to clear when Douglas missed Caniggia’s cross.
Seven minutes into the second half, a flick from Flo set up Konterman for a shot at goal, but Stephen Crainey charged his effort down.
Rangers had plenty of possession at the beginning of the second half but were finding it impossible to get in behind the Celtic defence.
Numan solved that problem by hitting a superb equaliser from 25 yards past the despairing dive of Douglas.
A driven cross by Neil McCann had Douglas scrambling and Celtic just managed to get the ball clear.
Lennon then had to be alert to take the ball off the toes of Lovenkrands in the Celtic area.
Hartson passed up an excellent opportunity in 66 minutes after Mjallby played him in on Klos only for the German to block his shot.
An in-swinging corner from Guppy was knocked down by Hartson but no Celtic player was on hand to capitalise.
Ferguson tried to emulate Numan’s effort with a long-range drive that Douglas did well to beat away after 75 minutes.
The Rangers captain almost surprised Douglas 10 minutes later with a left-foot shot from distance, but the keeper got down to turn the ball round the post.
At the other end, Amoruso did superbly to head clear from Agathe’s shot.
Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Vidmar, Amoruso, Numan, Ferguson, Konterman, McCann, Caniggia (Arveladze 46), Flo, Lovenkrands.
Subs not used: McGregor, Kanchelskis, Wilson, Hughes.
Booked: Ferguson.
Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Crainey, Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Guppy (McNamara 76), Larsson, Hartson.
Subs not used: Gould, Boyd, Moravcik, Smith.
Att: 49,765
Ref: Hugh Dallas
http://www.100megsfree3.com/celticcrazy/rep2/10mar2002.html
Rangers v Celtic 10th March 2002
SPL
Bobo Balde was fit for today’s game and slotted in to the centre of the defence alongside Mjallby and Crainie. Guppy took Thompson’s place in midfield with Hartson and Larsson returning to their striking roles.
A good strong run from Petrov right at the start of the game troubled Rangers. Larsson received the ball 20yds out and struck a right foot shot that went just over.
In the third minute Konterman had a go from 25 yards but blasted it well over.
The game was fairly even in terms of possession but the Rangers defence seemed to be struggling a bit in the windy conditions.
In the 13th minute, Celtic had a perfectly good goal chalked off for offside. A Larsson snap shot from inside the box had come off a defender. Hartson moved forward to touch it home. He was clearly well on-side when the ball was kicked.
In the 17th minute Hartson got his head to a corner but put it well wide. Thoughts went back to the CIS cup semi-final when we missed early chances and ended on the losing side.
Celtic took the lead in the 22nd minute. Petrov started a run as Larsson received a long ball. Larsson turned and with Amoruso in pursuit laid the ball in Petrov’s path. Vidmar was left standing as Stan struck the ball through the legs of the advancing Klos and Rangers could do nothing as it trundled into the net. The Celtic fans were fired up and began to chant, “We’ve won the league again. Fly the flag.”
Ferguson was the first to go in the referee’s book with a high tackle on Petrov. Shortly after Larsson tried a back-heel flick from a corner which went just over.
The Celtic back three were playing well and when Flo looked to make room for a shot he was crowded out. Balde was alert to cut out a dangerous cross. As the half ended Rangers had a period of possession but posed no real threat.
Rangers brought on Arveladze for Caniggia for the second half.
Lovenkrands threatened at the start of the half turning inside to shoot over.
Rangers hadn’t been making any clear chances but on 58 minutes, Numan picked up the ball on the left and struck a superb left foot effort across Douglas and in at the far post. The crowd who had been virtually silent started to get behind the home team.
There was real danger from McCann when he managed to get in an angled shot from inside the box on the left but Douglas was alert and got down and smothered it. Celtic were under pressure and were prepared to keep 9 men behind the ball with only Larsson and Hartson in advanced positions. However a Larsson break down the right gave him the option of Hartson in the middle but the pass went past Hartson and the defender.
Hartson had another great chance after Mjallby had powered forward. Hartson picked up the ball on the right with only the keeper to beat but Klos rushed out and the ball hit his legs and was cleared.
Ferguson tested Douglas twice once with the right foot and once with the left but on both occasions the big keeper dived to push the ball for a corner.
In 85 minutes after a cross from the right the ball fell to Agathe in front of goal. He ignored the opportunity to hit it first time with his left and when he dragged it right to shoot their were bodies in the way and the ball deflected for a corner.
Douglas still had some work to do, catching a dangerous Lovenkrands cross then saving at the second attempt at the feet of Arveladze.
A great result for Celtic with a particularly good display from back three, with young Crainie not looking out of place. Balde was there when he was needed and he did not make any rash challenges – in fact I don’t think he conceded a foul.
Larsson was very sharp up front with Petrov, Lambert and Lennon getting top marks too. Guppy produced a creditable performance until he was substituted by McNamara as Celts tightened up towards the end.
My man of the match is Robert Douglas. He handled the ball well from crosses, he made a number of fine saves and the shot that beat him was unstoppable.
Teams to follow
