TEN MEN WON THE LEAGUE (AGAIN)
Murdo hails Bren’s Bhoys for repeat of 1979 league clincher
MURDO MacLEOD’S Twitter feed went into meltdown on Sunday night as he stepped back in time almost 40 years.
The reason for the online frenzy was that only hours earlier Celtic all but clinched their seventh title in a row with 10 men at Ibrox.
Former Celt MacLeod was one of Billy McNeill’s side that beat Rangers 4-2 at Parkhead to clinch the title in 1979 – recovering from a goal down and having Johnny Doyle sent off. Sound familiar?
That led to the chant of ‘Ten Men Won the League’ to the tune of Boney M’s hit ‘Brown Girl In the Ring’. And it’s a song that was dusted down again at the weekend as Brendan Rodgers’ side twice came from behind to defeat Rangers 3-2 with 10 men.
The win moved Celtic nine points clear at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand as the club edged closer to their seventh consecutive championship.
It was Celtic’s fourth win on the spin at Ibrox, making it nine games unbeaten for Rodgers in the Glasgow derby since his arrival at Parkhead.
MacLeod is well aware of the similarities which occurred in both matches but reckons each have to be taken into context.
And the 59-year-old insists the big difference between both games is the fact Celtic officially sealed the title 39 years ago.
MacLeod said: “Immediately after the game I put a message on
Twitter which said something like ‘Great result with 10 men’ then my social media exploded.
“Everybody started sending me messages about that 1979 game and how 10 men won the league. The Celtic fans weren’t slow in reminding me because I was part of it.
“It was a great comeback by Brendan Rodgers’ team on Sunday. The Celtic players were aware of the significance of this match and had dropped a few points going into this game. Now the lead at the top is back to nine with a game in hand and the smiles are back on the players’ faces.
“For Rodgers to mastermind a fourth straight win at the home of your rivals is fantastic and they handled the occasion so well. Even when Rangers dominated Scottish football in the past they didn’t manage to do that.
“So for Celtic to go to Ibrox and win four times on the bounce is a great achievement. This was the first time in years when there was a genuine challenge coming from Rangers.
“In the past few years whenever the two teams have met everybody has felt Celtic would win. If Rangers had won on Sunday they were right back in the title race.
“I can understand the Celtic supporters pointing out the similarities in both matches and I totally get what they are referring to. They were both great wins for Celtic against their rivals.
“The only difference between this match and the 1979 clash is that Sunday’s encounter was not a title-winning game.
“Back then Rangers were a top class side and still pushing Celtic all the way for the championship. That title win was a special one. It has to be my favourite game I ever played for Celtic. It just had it all.
“Beating your biggest rivals on your own patch is always a fantastic occasion but with so much at stake and so much tension before this game it was just very special to go out and win the title in such dramatic circumstances. Even long before kick-off there was a fabulous atmosphere in the ground.
“Rangers were chasing back-to-back Trebles under John Greig and this was our last game of the season. We knew if we won the game we would win the title.
“We went into the break a goal down after Alex McDonald had scored to give Rangers the lead and then we went down to 10 men right after the restart when Johnny Doyle was sent off.
“Even then we kept pushing forward and Roy Aitken got us back in it. George McCluskey put us in front, Bobby Russell levelled it and as the clock ticked, we knew we had to push everything forward.
“We went for it. We absolutely bombarded their goal with chance after chance but always conscious of the fact that time was running out. I think there were only seven minutes left when
we finally got in front. George’s cross caused havoc and the ball was put into the net by Rangers’ Colin Jackson.
“Rangers tried to come back but my goal with just about the last kick of the ball sealed it. I just remember making the perfect connection and letting fly – and then the pandemonium when it hit the net. The title was ours and Celtic Park went berserk.
“It was an amazing game, a really special 90 minutes. Of course, there are no TV highlights of it anywhere to this day but it was an epic game and one I am proud to have played a part in.”
MacLeod believes the turning point in Sunday’s match, just like 1979, was when Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic copped a red card.
He said: “Having gone ahead twice Rangers will be disappointed not to have got a draw. When Simunovic got sent off they were very flat and struggled a wee bit.
“Incredibly Celtic defended so much better after the sending off.”
MacLeod reckons Sky Sports viewers were the real winners at the weekend.
The broadcaster had trailed it as ‘Rivalry Weekend’ with Hibs v Hearts, Man Utd v Liverpool, Nottingham v Derby and Aston Villa v Wolves all sandwiched in between the Glasgow showdown.
MacLeod said: “Anyone watching would have to agree Rangers v Celtic was easily the best derby.
“It was a wonderful game and tremendous entertainment.”