| Match Pictures | Matches: 1901 – 1902 | 1902 Pictures |
Trivia
- This defeat effectively won Rangers the title, coming first above Celtic in the race by 2pts. This was the final match of the league season, only 18 games in those days.
- Celtic lodged a formal protest with the SFA on the grounds of the referee, Mr. Nisbet's incompetency, and full time not being played. The SFA dismissed the protest but deleted Mr. Nisbet's name from the referee's list for his "repeatedly refusing to answer a question arising out of the match". [See below]
- The Herald reports the rout of a troop of 400 British Yeomen at the Battle of Groenkop in South Africa. The troops were guarding the construction of a series of Blockhouses when General De Wet's troops surprised them.
- The New York Journal reports that Lord Rosslyn won 100,000 francs at the tables in Monte Carlo last night. Senator Chauncey Depew and his party watched Lord Rosslyn's efforts and copied them and they too were winners.
Review
Teams
Celtic: McFarlane, Watson, Battles , Loney, Marshall, Orr, Hodge, Livingstone, Campbell, McMahon, McOustra.
Scorers: McMahon, Marshall.
Rangers – Dickie, N Smith, Drummond,Gibson, Neil, Robertson, J Campbell, Wilkie, RC Hamilton, Speedie, A Smith.
Scorers: Hamilton (2), Wilkie, Robertson.
Referee: Mr. Nisbet (Cowdenbeath).
Att: 40,000
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Articles
The Glasgow Herald, 2 January, 1902
HOLIDAY FOOTBALL
CELTIC V RANGERS
This important match, the result of which will probably decide the championship, was decided at Parkhead before an enormous holiday crowd, the amount taken at gates being £??? and stands £??? Representing an attendance of over 40,000. Teams:- Celtic – McFarlane, Watson, Battles , Loney, Marshall, Orr, Hodge, Livingstone, Campbell, McMahon, McOustra. Rangers – Dickie, N Smith, Drummond,Gibson, Neil, Robertson, J Campbell, Wilkie, RC Hamilton, Speedie, A Smith. Referee – Mr Nisbet, (Cowdenbeath).
Rangers kicked off, Smith picking up a wide pass from Hamilton, but was beaten by Lonie <sic> and Watson.
The Celtic quickly settled down to continued forward play, but Dickie was only called upon once, and that from a splendid shot from McOustra.
Both teams encountered bad luck at goal, shots from Hamilton and Watson striking the crossbar and going behind.
After Campbell had shot into McFarlane’s hands the Celtic broke away and McMahon converted a free kick by heading cleverly past Dickie after 25 minutes’ play.
Three corner kicks now fell to the Celtic from which McMahon shot quite splendidly, and near the interval the Rangers drew level from a free kick. The Celtic protested against the referee’s decision and the game was resumed amid intense commitment. Half-time 1 goal each.
Three minutes after resuming the Rangers went ahead, and this led to a dispute between McMahon and the referee, which ended in the former being ordered off the field.
The home team now reorganised their players, Watson going to half-back and Battles left to fill the full back positions alone.
Though handicapped by the loss of McMahon, the Celtic played up very pluckily, but Robertson put his side further ahead with a splendid shot.
Another rally by Celtic ended in Marshall heading through and excitement was soon intense when the home team pressed again only to see McOustra head over the crossbar and Livingstone shoot past.
Alec Smith made some splendid runs for his side, and forced two corners, while McFarlane had to save smartly from Campbell and Neil.
Campbell and McOustra carried play to the other end, where Gibson saved a certain goal, and then Hamilton put the result beyond doubt by scoring the fourth goal for Rangers.
The game was considerably marred by the rough tactics of both teams, who did not seem to pay much attention to the rulings of the referee, and thus what should have been a splendid game was in a great measure spoiled.
Result:- Rangers, 4 goals; Celtic, 2 goals.
