1973-05-05: Rangers 3-2 Celtic, Scottish Cup Final

Match Pictures | Matches: 19721973 | 1972-73 Pictures

Trivia

  • Following the success in the League and the winning of Eight in a Row, the week build up to the Cup Final was somewhat relaxed.
  • Celtic signed Steve Murray from Aberdeen on 1st May. Murray had informed Aberdeen that he would not re-sign way back in the season
  • Rangers win the cup in their centenary year.
  • Attendance is a magnificent 122,000. 134,000 tickets were said to have been sold but rain kept the crowd to 122,000.
  • Princess Alexandra was presented to the teams before the match and presented the trophy to winning captain John Greig.
  • This was the last ever 100,000+ cup final crowd in Scottish football.

Review

Celtic failed to capitalise after taking the lead with Dalglish’s goal, Parlane equalising before half time.

1973 SCF ticket Celtic v Rangers

The turning point came 30 seconds into the second half when the Celtic defence were caught sleeping, allowing Alfie Conn to race through the centre to score although Celtic then equalised through a Connelly penalty after Greig had dived full length to punch a Deans shot on the goal line with McCloy stranded.

In 60 minutes Jim Brogan was withdrawn with injury for Bobby Lennox. The Celtic defence was still sorting itself out when McLean crossed for Derek Johnstone to head against the post. The ball rolled along the line where Tom Forsyth was standing where Brogan would have been positioned and Forsyth tapped the ball in for the all important third goal.

There was controversy when Jimmy Johnstone had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside but as Celtic pressed forward late on Rangers were dangerous on the break.

The fans were well behaved in the presence of their royal visitor.

Teams

Rangers:
McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Johnstone, MacDonald, McLean, Forsyth, Parlane, Conn, Young.Sub: Smith
Goals:- Parlane (35), Conn (46), Forsyth (61).

Celtic:
Hunter, McGrain, Brogan (Lennox 60), Murdoch, McNeill, Connelly, Johnstone, Dalglish, Deans, Hay, Callaghan.
Goals:- Dalglish (25), Connelly (pen 52).

Referee: J R P Gordon (Newport on Tay)
Attendance: 122,714.

Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Articles

1973 Rangers 3-2 Celtic

1973 Cup Final

1973-05-05: Rangers 3-2 Celtic, Scottish Cup Final - The Celtic Wiki

1973-05-05: Rangers 3-2 Celtic, Scottish Cup Final - The Celtic Wiki