OLD FIRM KIDS HAD AN IBROX PARTY IN ‘94
RANGERS and Celtic youngsters have been robbed of the chance to perform on the big stage after their Hogmanay Lowland League clash was postponed.
The call came after new restrictions meant the maximum crowd would only be 500, defeating the purpose of the decision to move the fixture to Ibrox.
Rangers had been pushing the mini Old Firm game with cut-price tickets plus hospitality packages and there was a real appetite for a fixture due to take place just two days before the first teams clashed in the now delayed derby.
But regardless of when it does take place, Rangers and Celtic fans will have to go some to attract a crowd anywhere near the reserves derby at Ibrox almost 30 years ago.
In January 1994, a postwar record of 20,331 turned up for a second-string clash between the bitter rivals. The Light Blues had won 4-2 at Parkhead four days earlier in the first team showdown before the reserves battled it out 1-1.
While it was a reserve game, multi-million pounds worth of talent was on display – including Britain’s most expensive footballer at the time, Duncan Ferguson.
Ferguson was the main attraction with the late Walter Smith giving him a runout in a team of youth and experience that also included Oleg Kuznetsov.
Ferguson didn’t disappoint as he scored his first goal in light blue but he was mercilessly taunted by the visiting fans.
“They came not to praise Duncan Ferguson but to bray at him,” noted one report. It added: “The 2500 Celtic fans among a post-war record attendance for a second XI match spent the majority of their afternoon making donkey noises as the object of their ridicule endured a difficult day at the office.”
The striker had made a stuttering start to his Ibrox career, mainly due to injuries, following his big-money move from Dundee United.
And the Hoops fans were happy to remind of him of that when he fluffed a great chance inside the six-yard box.
Ferguson then had an effort cleared off the line by Mark McNally – who opened the scoring for Celtic early on that day – before he netted his first goal for the club 12 minutes from time to earn a draw.
But Ferguson was never far from controversy and even in that reserve game was booked for an elbow on Mike Galloway.
One report noted he had been a little too free with his “£4million elbow”.
The match was held up for 10 minutes as Rangers were forced to open an extra stand.
Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid, who featured for Gers that day, told Record Sport: “While the game was during the holiday period it took place on a Wednesday, which makes the attendance all the more remarkable.
“It would’ve been great if the current Rangers and Celtic youngsters could have got the chance to play in front of a big crowd at Ibrox on Hogmanay.”
Line-ups that day: Rangers – Scott, Wishart, Vinnicombe, Kuznetsov, Reid, Miller, Huistra, Robertson, Hagen, Ferguson, Morrow. Subs – Wilson, Fotheringham, Inglis.
Celtic – Kerr, Vata, McQuilken, McNally, McKay, Galloway, Byrne, Creaney, Biggins, McAvennie, McLaughlin. – Smith, McStay, Given.