stuartmc@paisley.UUCP (03/24/86)
RANGERS 4 CELTIC 4
Fraser (2), Johnston,
McCoist, McClair,
Fleck Burns,
McCleod
In a tense, closely-fought battle, the greatest club match on earth finished
with honours even. Celtic opened the scoring against the run of play, when
Johnston turned in a McCleod mis-hit. Some fine lead-up play from Paul McStay
brought the second
Celtic goal, courtesy of McClair, and Celtic seemed to be coasting to an easy
win over their deadly rivals. But then tragedy struck as Willie McStay, who had
been booked for an earlier offence, scythed down gangling Rangers winger, Ted
McMinn, who had looked dangerous in the earlier exchanges. Referee Davie Syme
had no option but to send off the Celtic right-back. Rangers capitalised
immediately with a fine headed goal by Fraser from a McCoist cross. The score
remained at 1-2 till half-time.
The start of the second half saw changes by both sides, Rangers bringing
on international star, Davie Cooper for the injured McMinn, while Celtic took
off young Owen Archdeacon in an attempt to rearrange their disheveled defence,
Peter Grant coming on at right back. This quickly paid off, as Tommy Burns ran
on to a Mo Johnston through-ball to slip the ball past the advancing Nicky
Walker. Rangers fought back, however, and this eventually paid off, as Ally
McCoist scored a fine solo goal from the edge of the box. Rangers then equalised
with a Fleck shot being deflected into the net, and took the lead shortly
afterwards when the Celtic defence struggled to clear a Cooper corner. McKinnon
headed goalwards and Cammy Fraser was on the goalline to nod in his second goal
of the afternoon. But the action still wasn't over, and Murdo McCleod, brought
on for the tiring Paul McStay, proved his worth with a thirty yard drive which
rocketed past the despairing Nicky Walker. 4-4 then, and the most exciting Old
Firm match for many a year was marked at the end by both teams getting a
standing ovation from both sets of supporters.