| Chapter Five The Glory Run: Homing in on Lisbon
AT LAST the heavy
grounds of winter gave way to the firmer going of spring:
Harold
Wilson’s Labour Government was in the middle of a six- year term and a group of
London office girls popularised the topical catch-phrase,'I’m backing Britain', by
carrying shopping bags emblazoned with the patriotic slogan.
In the world of
sport, the American golfer Gay Brewer won the U.S. Masters, depriving Jack Nicklaus of a
‘hat-trick’ of victories, the great man having triumphed at Augusta for the
previous two years in addition to donning his first Green Jacket in 1963.
……………………………..
Relentless consistency in the league seemed finally to have worn Rangers
down as Celtic strode to within two points of retaining the title at Fir Park, Motherwell,
on Saturday, 8th April, with a solid 2-0 win. ......
The way was now clear for the Champions' Cup semi-final against Dukla
Prague, the renowned Czech Army team, with the first leg at Celtic Park the following
Wednesday evening. ......
Dukla arrived in Glasgow with a brilliant football reputation. .....
These Czechs had come from behind in both legs against Ajax. .....
Were Celtic to go down the same road as the Dutchmen?
…………………..
A warm spring sun shone on Hampden Park as the colourful throng
descended on the famous old ground. ......
The main Hampden approaches, Aitkenhead Road, Prospecthill Road and
Somerville Drive, were a riot of colour, vibrant with the din of mounting Cup Final fever
and by kick-off time a seething crowd of 126,102 was settling down to watch the following
line-ups do battle:
CELTIC:- Simpson;
Craig & Gemmell; Murdoch, McNeill & Clark; Johnstone, Wallace, Chalmers, Auld
& Lennox.
ABERDEEN:- Clark;
Whyte & Shewan; Munro, McMillan & Peterson; Wilson, Smith, Storrie, Melrose &
Johnston ......
………………….
In marked contrast to the Scottish Cup Final of seven days earlier, the
potential league decider was played in torrential rain. Glasgow awoke to leaden skies and
by early afternoon of 6th May, the heavens had opened, as if in premature
mourning for whoever would be the downhearted half of this
‘Old Firm’ line-up:
RANGERS:- Martin;
Johansen &Provan; Jardine, McKinnon & Greig; Henderson, A. Smith, Hynd, D. Smith
& Johnston.
CELTIC:- Simpson;
Craig, & Gemmell; Murdoch, McNeill & Clark; Johnstone, Wallace, Chalmers, Auld
& Lennox.
Yes, the soon-to-be ‘Lisbon Lions’ were on parade again, as
they had been for the Cup Final. Indeed, these were exactly the clubs' respective line-ups
for their imminent Euro-finals.
Despite the midweek reverse ( losing 3-2 to Dundee United ), arithmetic
dictated that a draw would be enough to see Celtic re-crowned as Champions, whereas
Rangers had to win to keep their revitalised challenge alive. Surely, this
was the perfect recipe for a classic Glasgow derby! ......
Things remained locked at 1-1 until late in the second half, with
neither side able to gain the ascendancy and it looked as though Celtic would probably
hold on for the precious point they needed without further incident. Then Jimmy Johnstone
decided to take a hand, popping up to dignify proceedings with one of the most memorable
goals ever seen at Ibrox. As the rain pounded down, he picked up a throw-in from Steve
Chalmers midway inside the Rangers half on the Celtic right. Scuttling over the glaur, the
wee man weaved and checked his way past three would-be tacklers, made space on the edge of
the box, then turned to unleash a left-foot screamer which scorched high past
Martin’s despairing right hand into the roof of the 'onion bag'. Bedlam now reigned
at the Broomloan end! Little wonder after a goal of such outstanding quality - surely it
was all over now?
Celtic dug in to resist the inevitable frenzied Rangers
onslaught over the remaining quarter of an hour and held out doggedly until misfortune
struck nine minutes from the end. When Ronnie Simpson went for a low cross from Henderson,
the greasy ball squirmed from his grasp straight to Roger Hynd, Rangers' makeshift
centre-forward, who slid the windfall home from six yards. Justice prevailed, though, and
moments later the Celtic legions were proclaiming a second consecutive League
Championship.
Attention was now firmly
focused on Lisbon.
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