Out rivals’ Ibrox title party
“I appreciate that it only delayed the celebrations for the green side of Glasgow, but that one day meant an awful lot to a lot of people, especially to me. The fact that we still talk about it today shows you how much it meant.”
In the grand scheme of things, the destination of the top-flight title was largely irrelevant to Rangers in those turbulent days, weeks and months as fans feared for the very future of their club.
Manager Ally McCoist had to somehow rally his troops in the face of adversity. The final whistle sparked scenes that are emotional to watch even now as Rangers stood tall, proud and victorious on Old Firm day. Little said:
“We definitely talked about it; it was definitely one of the motivations for us.
“When you consider the staff that we had at the time, it was full of Rangers legends who had some incredible experiences with the club over the years and they knew how difficult and upsetting that would be for fans.
“They knew the importance even more than the players and they got it through to us. On the day, we were excellent.
“There was definitely a motivation amongst the players not to let them have a party at our home.”
From the mazy run and clinical finish from Aluko to the famous breakaway goal from Wallace, the memories are as clear as ever for the supporters that rocked Ibrox or that watched on from afar.
Little would score from a couple of yards out just seconds after replacing Aluko. It wasn’t a win that changed the course of the title race, but it was one which went down in history for its own unique reasons.
“I don’t think the celebrations were any bigger just because we stopped it,” he said. “I think it was more a relief than we had stopped it.
“We weren’t celebrating the way you would normally celebrate an Old Firm win because we knew that the league was beyond us. It was just a massive relief and the fans just really appreciated the players’ efforts on that day.
“It had been a difficult time for everyone and it certainly wasn’t the fault of the players that Rangers found themselves in that position.
“This time around, it is the fault of the players really when you think about the Celtic team and squad not turning up this year. There is a different feeling there, I would say, if you were to compare the two.
“Rangers fans and players were extremely united at that time. Players were taking wage cuts and there was a real feeling of togetherness within the club so it was a relief for everyone that we stopped it happening that day.
“If you were to compare the two, there certainly isn’t that feeling of togetherness right now at Celtic Park. I don’t see them getting a result, I just don’t see it happening, and that is largely down to that lack of unity at the club right now.”
It would be somewhat fitting if Rangers could deny Celtic at Ibrox and then turn the tables and win at Parkhead to scale the heights after hitting the depths of despair.
The Ibrox side need just seven points to clinch title 55. If Livingston and St Mirren can be overcome, that longawaited and sought after moment could come on derby day and at the home of their Old Firm rivals.
Little said: “I think it is certainly shaping up to be memorable and a big, big day if it happens that way. But, honestly, the majority of the players and the manager, I really don’t think they will mind.
“They are extremely proud of their record so far this season and I think if you offered them a draw to win the title a lot of them would say ‘no, we want to go and win’ and I am sure they will tell you that.
“There is a pride amongst this team and the performances and stats this season are incredible and they want to win games and will want to win at Parkhead.
“There are certain players in the squad that will understand better than others the significance of going and winning a title at the home of their greatest rivals. I think there are some players that will understand that a lot more and they will definitely want that.”