Rangers F.C. 2–2 Celtic F.C. (1987)

On 17 October 1987, Rangers faced Celtic in a Scottish Premier Division fixture at Ibrox Stadium, during the 1987–88 season. The match finished 2–2, but is best remembered for the sending off of three players and the subsequent Court case that took place as a result.[3]

Rangers 2–2 Celtic
Event1987–88 Scottish Premier Division
Date17 October 1987
VenueIbrox Stadium, Glasgow
RefereeJim Duncan[1]
Attendance43,486[1]
WeatherSunny[2]

An altercation after 17 minutes between Celtic's Frank McAvennie and Rangers goalkeeper Chris Woods resulted in both being red carded.[4] Rangers defenders Terry Butcher and Graham Roberts were also involved, with Butcher receiving a yellow card for dissent.[4] Roberts took over as Rangers goalkeeper for the rest of the match. On 33 minutes Andy Walker scored to put Celtic ahead, and two minutes later an own goal by Butcher doubled Celtic's lead.[5] Rangers went down to nine men in the second half when Butcher was sent off for a foul on Celtic goalkeeper Allen McKnight.[4] Despite their disadvantage, Rangers rallied and pulled a goal back through Ally McCoist.[2][5] An unlikely comeback was completed by Rangers when Richard Gough equalised in the final minute.[5][6] Amidst the celebrating Rangers supporters, Graham Roberts was seen to wave towards the fans, as if he was "conducting" their singing; songs which included sectarian chants.[6][7] Three days later, the Procurator Fiscal ordered a Police enquiry into the events of the match.[8]

The Rangers trio of Woods, Butcher and Roberts, and Celtic's McAvennie, were later charged with breach of the peace and appeared at Court.[9][10][11] After a trial lasting several days, Butcher and Woods were convicted and fined, Roberts was found not proven and McAvennie was found not guilty.[12]

Details

Rangers2–2Celtic
McCoist  65'
Gough  90'
Report Walker  33'
Butcher  35' (o.g.)
Attendance: 43,486
Referee: Jim Duncan
Rangers
Celtic
GK1 Chris Woods 19'
RB2 Richard Gough
LB3 Jimmy Phillips
CB4 Graham Roberts
MF5 Derek Ferguson
CB6 Terry Butcher 19'  62'
MF7 Trevor Francis 76'
CF8 Mark Falco 45'
CF9 Ally McCoist
MF10 Ian Durrant
MF11 John McGregor
Substitutes:
MF12 Avi Cohen 45'
LW14 Davie Cooper 76'
Manager:
Graeme Souness
GK1 Allen McKnight
RB2 Chris Morris
LB3 Derek Whyte 74'
CB4 Roy Aitken
CB5 Mick McCarthy
CM6 Peter Grant
RM7 Billy Stark
CM8 Paul McStay
CF9 Frank McAvennie 19'
CF10 Andy Walker
LM11 Tommy Burns 78'
Substitutes:
LB12 Anton Rogan 74'
LW13 Owen Archdeacon 78'
Manager:
Billy McNeill

See also

References

  1. "2-2 vs Celtic in Scottish League (17/10/1987)". FitbaStats. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  2. Ferrier, Bob (18 October 1987). "Old Firm knockabout". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  3. "Celtic Vs Rangers". Clash Of The Titans. 1999. BBC. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  4. Reynolds, Jim (19 October 1987). "Three off but it could have been more". The Glasgow Herald. p. 11. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  5. Reynolds, Jim (19 October 1987). "Celtic stand accused of the cardinal sin". The Glasgow Herald. p. 14. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  6. Murray, Scott (11 March 2015). "Rangers 2 Celtic 2". The Blizzard (16). Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  7. Davidson, Alan (20 October 1987). "You're out of tune". Evening Times. p. 38. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  8. Steele, David (21 October 1987). "Fiscal calls for Police inquiry into Ibrox match". The Glasgow Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  9. McCallum, Andrew (13 April 1988). "Old Firm fans' hatred had "never been worse"". The Glasgow Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  10. McCallum, Andrew (14 April 1988). ""Eruption" after punch by Roberts". The Glasgow Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  11. McCallum, Andrew (15 April 1988). "Old Firm referee says Police should stay out of it". The Glasgow Herald. p. 5. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  12. McCallum, Andrew (16 April 1988). "Rangers players to appeal after fines". The Glasgow Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
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