1970-10-24: Rangers 1-0 Celtic, League Cup Final

Match Pictures | Matches: 19701971 | 1970-1971 Pictures

Trivia

  • Tommy Gemmell was definetly out of this final but Jimmy Johnstone and John Hughes were both fit. Tommy Callaghan and Jim Brogan were both recovering still.McGrain and Hughes were named in the squad for the game.
  • Celtic's seventh successive LCF since 1964.
  • Celtic's first LCF defeat under Jock Stein
  • Last LCF to attract a 100,000+ crowd
  • 16 years old Derek Johnstone scores the winner for Rangers
  • Alex Wright took over as manager of Dunfermiline. He had been manager of St Mirren.

Review

Celtic were overwhelming favourites going into this game and suffered a shock defeat. Jock Stein sprang a surprise by playing youngsters Jimmy Quinn at left back and Lou Macari in1970 LCF ticket Celtic v Rangers attack. Rangers were missing their inspirational captain John Greig and fielded 16 years old striker Derek Johnstone.

Celtic found the heavy going not to their taste after Glasgow had been deluged in heavy rain and Rangers were unlucky not to have a more substantial lead at half time which was only down to the goalkeeping of Evan Williams. Rangers scored in 40 minutes when Henderson slung over a high inswinging cross from the right wing and as McNeill and Craig hesitated, young Derek Johnstone rose to bullet home a header.

Celtic became desperate as time wore on and Wallace missed their best chance when he shot over from close range after Murdoch had created the chance by beating several Rangers players. In the last minute Colin Stein hit the post. Ronnie McKinnon lifted the cup in Greigs absence.

This was the third major final Celtic had lost in 1970 after the SCF defeat against Aberdeen and the ECF loss against Feyenoord.

Stein's team selection was criticised afterwards with the fans saying that Celtic had missed the experience of the likes of Gemmell, Brogan, Auld, Hughes and Callaghan. With hindsight he may have under estimated Rangers after a young Celtic team had demolished them 3-1 in the Glasgow Cup final at Hampden as recently as mid August and they had been convincing 2-0 winners in the first league game at Parkhead in September.

Teams

Rangers:
McCloy Jardine Miller Conn McKinnon Jackson Henderson MacDonald Johnstone Stein Johnston Sub: Fyfe
Scorer: Johnstone 40

Celtic:
Williams, Craig, Quinn, Murdoch, McNeill, Hay, Johnstone, Connelly, Wallace, Hood (Lennox), Macari.
Scorers:

Referee: T Wharton
Attendance: 106,263

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

Celtic v Rangers, League Cup Final, 24/10/70