Celtic on this Day – Alan Stubbs scores crucial goal against Rangers

The Celtic Star

·19 novembre 2024

Celtic on this Day – Alan Stubbs scores crucial goal against Rangers

Celtic on this Day – Alan Stubbs scored a goal that ultimately changed the course of Scottish football…

Tom Boyd – Photo Imago

19 November 1997, Celtic 1-1 Rangers

Wim Jansen’s men had already lost a third of their first 12 league matches in the 1997/1998 campaign. A defeat to Walter Smith’s side would have made for ominous reading in terms of league standings, and thus potentially no way back for Celtic.

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Heading into the match, Celtic not only had a number of outfield injury problems but a massive goalkeeping crisis. When Stuart Kerr had been ruled out for a few weeks with a hamstring issue, the Hoops recalled Gordon Marshall who was out on loan. Ironically, Gordon Marshall himself had picked up a shoulder injury, ruling himself out of the fixture. In the academy set-up, duo Barry John Corr and Jim Gallagher were recovering from injuries themselves. Therefore, with no substitute keeper, Jonathan Gould was the man to wear the gloves for the crucial Old Firm clash.

The late Celtic goal – photo The Celtic Wiki

Subsequently, Tommy Johnson, Regi Blinker, Phil O’Donnell, Stuart Gray, Malky MacKay, Stewart Kerr and Gordon Marshall were all absent from the Celtic squad in their 1-1 draw with Rangers in Glasgow’s East End.

Also, Celtic boss Wim Jansen had told Tosh McKinlay on the day of the game against Rangers that his services at the club were no longer required. This came a month after Jansen had disciplined McKinlay for minor dispute on the training field with new signing Henrik Larsson.

Temporary scaffolding in the now Jock Stein Stand meant that there was a reduced attendance at a packed and noisy Celtic Park with 49,000 spectators attending.

The late Celtic goal – photo The Celtic Wiki

The game itself had been a nervy one. The midweek late evening kick off added a bit of spice to the fixture. 15 minutes into the second half, the controversy started. Referee John Rowbotham sent Paul Gascoigne off for violent conduct after his fragile temper led to him elbowing Hoops forward Morten Wieghorst in the face. Weighorst after the game admitted that he felt it was a harsh red. Rowbotham did not stop there, Gordon Durie was binned after the game for a second bookable offence following bewildering complaints made about Stubbs’ equaliser. Walter Smith’s longtime assistant Archie Knox voiced his displeasure at Rowbothom and was thus cautioned after the conclusion of the game also.

The late Celtic goal. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Despite being down to 10 men, Marco Negri’s strike which beat Gould low down to his right looked like it was going to be another cruel league defeat for Celtic adding to the misery of the 90s against their rivals. Shutting up shop, Smith’s side looked to have completed their defensive job until Stubbs’ header in the last minute.

Stubbs climbed highest above everyone else and bulleted the ball home after a wonderful delivery from Jackie McNamara. It kept Celtic alive in the title race as Hearts remained five points clear of the Hoops at the top of the table. Rangers were three in front, so the significance of Stubbs’ equaliser cannot be underestimated. Given the circumstances at the end of the season, it was one of Celtic’s most important goals of the 1997/1998 title-winning campaign.

The late Celtic goal. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Post-match Celtic manager Wim Jansen was satisfied with the point, “it was very important for us to save the goal, especially in the last minute,” he said. “Sometimes our final ball wasn’t the best which was disappointing. The way they defended made it very difficult for us to score a goal and [Richard] Gough especially was outstanding. But I thought the character of the side was excellent, especially in the final 20 minutes. They tried everything and finally got the equaliser. I can’t complain about that.”

Celtic’s starting XI 27 years to the day: Gould, Boyd, Mahe, McNamara, Rieper, Stubbs, Larsson, Burley, Donnelly, Lambert, Wieghorst.

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