Fans have to show the Old Firm fixture the respect it deserves and not use it for other things
I WILL never forget my Old Firm debut in August, 1971.
Celtic captain Billy McNeill ordered me to take a penalty- kick – and it left me absolutely petrified.
I was just 20 and felt that if I missed it – against Rangers, our greatest rivals – then I’d be sent packing back to Cumbernauld United Juniors.
But I kept my nerve to stroke the ball past Peter McCloy for the second goal in a 2-0 win in a League Cup tie at Ibrox.
It was my first goal in the fixture, and set me on my way to a long and memorable career as a footballer with Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland.
This afternoon, Celtic and Rangers come face to face at Hampden Park in the League Cup semi-final.
I’ll be watching, and from the hat-trick hero when the sides last met, Celtic’s Moussa Dembele, to the veteran of 100 Rangers goals, Kenny Miller, I want to see all the players enjoy the occasion and maybe see a new hero emerge.
Of course, as is the case every time the Old Firm clash, memories will come flooding back, back to that game in 1971.
We were 1-0 up after Jimmy Johnstone had scored and then we were awarded a penalty when, if memory serves me correctly, Ronnie McKinnon fouled Yogi Hughes inside the box.
As soon as the referee pointed to the spot, big Billy got the ball and sprinted to get to me. I’d never seen him move so quickly!
He asked – sorry, told – me to take it. I didn’t know what to say to him but my face must have been a picture.
I didn’t say “no” – but I didn’t exactly say “yes”, either.
But he was our leader on the park, the man who had captained the club to European Cup success against Inter Milan in 1967.
Who was I to argue with him? I had to get on with it.
I think we had five players in the team that day who’d won the European Cup. But I think the five of them disappeared when the penalty was awarded!
So the other contenders – wee Jinky, Bobby Murdoch and Bobby Lennox – were happy enough to leave it to me.
As I prepared to take it, I felt numb, I suppose.
My only thought was: “What if I miss this?”
I think I’d have been sent back to Cumbernauld – where Jock Stein had sent me as a youngster to toughen me up – if I didn’t score.
Thankfully I did, and it was just a feeling of huge relief.
I kept my composure and just rolled it in.
We beat Rangers three times in a few weeks in the League Cup and league that season – 2-0, 3-2 and 3-0.
I scored in every game. The next two games were easier because my goals came during open play.
Maybe a new hero will emerge today, but the most important thing is that all the players give their all and play to their capabilities.
It was only a few weeks ago the sides last met and Celtic won 5-1.
But other things, off the park, also grabbed the headlines.
I want to be talking about this great fixture for the right reasons.
Listen, I’m not going to ask for total calm because you’ll never be able to keep
everyone calm on Old Firm day. But as much as there is nothing wrong with a healthy rivalry between both sets of supporters, there has to be a degree of respect to go with it because both clubs are fantastic institutions.
Every person has to be mindful that they have a responsibility.
It’s a semi-final so there will be a loser and a winner.
If you lose, accept it and move on. If you win, enjoy the celebrations. Don’t use it as an excuse for other things. That doesn’t do anyone any favours.
Both teams have some excellent footballers and they possess an ability to entertain.
It can give Scottish football another lift because it’s a special, special fixture.
We should all be proud of the clubs and this occasion.
Remember, in the past four years or so, there has been well-documented adversity for Rangers when they were put down to the bottom tier.
But look at the way the support stood by them. It was fantastic.
And it was the same at Celtic Park. The Celtic supporters still turned out in huge numbers, week after week, despite the fact there wasn’t a challenge from across the city.
So, for everyone to have missed out on it for a few years wasn’t ideal.
Now that it’s back, enjoy it for the right reasons and make it a game that every person is proud of.
I want this game to be a great advert for Scottish football, irrespective of the result.
And who do I think will win this afternoon?
I’m not going to fall for that old one!