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Celtic supporters are no strangers to last game title deciders. From the delirium of Love Street and Tannadice to the gloom of Fir Park, the entire spectrum of emotions has been experienced in recent decades. But for all the tension and drama provided by these exceptional occasions there is arguably none which can match the sheer intensity of a winner-takes-all clash with Rangers.
The winter of early 1979 had been fierce and long. It had brought chaos to the country. The football fixture list was decimated with almost two months (January and February) of games wiped out by snow. Matches were re-arranged and squeezed into a hectic climax to the season.
Under new boss John Greig Rangers were chasing back-to-back trebles. They had also enjoyed an excellent run in the European Cup where they had eliminated PSV and Juventus. Celtic too had a new manager in Billy McNeill and the former skipper had his sights set firmly on regaining the title he had won so frequently as a player.
The re-arranged fixture list meant the Old Firm would play twice in the last month of the season. Rangers won the first encounter 1-0 (played at Hampden due to redevelopment at Ibrox Park) but the manner of their victory was significantly more convincing than the scoreline suggests. The Ibrox club were now favourites for the championship but the Bhoys continued to pick up vital wins to ensure that the final Old Firm clash on May 21st would be a title decider.
The match would be Celtic’s last game of the season. Rangers had a game in hand and knew that a win at Parkhead – or a win and a draw from their remaining two games – would secure the championship.
On a grey late spring evening a packed Celtic Park was set to witness one of the most incredible 90 minutes ever seen at the famous ground. Despite an official attendance of 52,000 there was not an inch of terracing spare as the hopeful from both sides squeezed into the park. The atmosphere was crackling long before kick-off. With a championship at stake the fiercely partisan and boisterous crowd was even more frenzied then normal.
Celtic began the game well but the visitors showed typical resilience in defence. Then, after nine minutes, great play by Davie Cooper created a chance for Alex McDonald and the striker slotted home to put the visitors in front and deliver a bitter blow to Celtic’s hopes. The Bhoys would dominate the remainder of a frantic half but despite spirited Celtic pressure Rangers stood firm. They were 45 minutes away from returning to Ibrox as champions.
That championship seemed even closer when just 10 minutes after the break Johnny Doyle swung a boot at McDonald, who was lying prone on the grass. Doyle’s kick was a response to suspected play acting but the ref did not hesitate to show him the red card. As Doyle vanished down the tunnel most observers believed he took Celtic’s title hopes with him. How wrong they were.
Despite being down to 10-men Celtic – roared on by a defiant support – continued to push forward and they finally got their reward on 67 minutes when Roy Aitken netted after a goalmouth scramble.
Amazingly the Hoops took the lead with just 15 minutes remaining when George McCluskey sublimely hooked home a deflected Aitken shot. Amidst the bedlam Rangers managed to muster an immediate response. Before Celtic had a chance to settle and defend their lead Bobby Russell fired a shot through a crowd of players and into the net. 2-2.
Again the Hoops fought back and began an incessant bombardment of the Rangers goal. The support were back in full voice as the Hoops stormed forward.
McCloy in the Rangers goal pulled off a great save from the brilliant Aitken but with seven minutes to goal he was beaten again. A clever cross ball from McCluskey was well parried by the keeper but he could only watch in agony as the ball hit team-mate Colin Jackson before spinning into the goal.
Pandemonium swept around Celtic Park.
It was Rangers’ turn to now try and fight back. But they couldn’t muster the spirit shown by their opponents. Then with just a minute remaining Murdo McLeod strode forward and – from 35-yards – unleashed a fearsome drive which flew past the stranded McCloy and ripped into the Rangers net. The title was coming back to Paradise.
Delirium and mayhem ensued. Celtic had won against the odds. It had been a game, a triumph and a party no Hoops fan would ever forget.