Johnston and Stein reflect on birth of
Heroes of 1972 still basking in the glory of Cup Winners’ Cup goals
COLIN STEIN scored one, Willie Johnston two. The deeds and the glories have been immortalised in song at Ibrox as the Barcelona legacy lives on through the generations.
Five decades have elapsed since Stein and Johnston became Rangers legends but the passing of time has not diminished the importance of their achievement or their standing with supporters.
Many of those who chant about the victory over Dynamo Moscow will only have heard second or third hand the legend of the Barcelona Bears. Those heroes of yesteryear will never be forgotten as supporters cherish the finest night in their club’s history.
“I can’t believe it was 50 years ago,” Johnston said of the 3-2 win at the Nou Camp that clinched the European Cup Winners’ Cup. “The memory is not bad! It was a great time, but it was a long, long time ago now.
“Me and Colin Stein are the only two footballers that I know who get serenaded on the subway on a Saturday night or a Sunday night after the game. When the young ones talk to you, they say ‘oh, my grandfather told me about you and told me about Barcelona’.
“A long time has passed since then. That makes me feel old, but not as much as when I try to get out my bed and my legs and ankles are killing me! It was a great time for us all.”
Stein and Johnston would enjoy iconic, historic careers for club and country. When it comes to one game in 1972, their lives are intrinsically linked.
One goal each had Willie Waddell’s side within 45 minutes of European success. When Johnston made it 3-2 just after the break, the Bears were born.
“It is tremendous to be remembered in that way,”
Stein said. “We do the hospitality at Ibrox and the respect that we get from the younger players and fans, who have never seen us play and only been told by their fathers or grandfathers, is really warming. It is brilliant.
“We had a lot of personalities in the team. The work ethic in that team was tremendous. We worked for each other and looked after each other.
“Ronnie McKinnon didn’t play and Colin Jackson didn’t play but Alfie Conn came in and Derek Johnstone came in and they just slotted into the team. On our day, we knew we could beat anyone.”
The years have not diminished the sense of pride that Rangers hold when it comes to their most famous team. Thankfully, time has not faded the memories either.
The video footage and pictures from that night remain iconic but the sense of frustration at the celebrations – conducted in the changing area after John Greig was presented with the trophy in a side room – remains for Stein even to this day.
“I can still remember the goal vividly, and Bud’s two goals as well,” Stein said. “The only thing that soured it for me