Celtic on this Day – Joe Craig stunner gives Hoops significant Ibrox win

Joe Craig scores the winner. Rangers 0 Celtic 1, 24 November 1976. Photo The Celtic Wiki

John Greig break Bob Lennox’s leg. Rangers 0 Celtic 1, 24 November 1976. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Rangers 0-1 Celtic. Jock Stein’s side were in rebuild mode after suffering back-to-back title defeats following a decade of domestic dominance. However, Jock Wallace’s men had shown signs of weakness at the beginning of the 1976/1977 campaign, thus Celtic sniffed weakness. A low turnout of 43,500 at Ibrox was due to a Glasgow transport strike subsequently resulting in both sets of supporters making the journey to stadium by foot on a wintery Wednesday evening.

Joe Craig scores the winner. Rangers 0 Celtic 1, 24 November 1976. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Joe Craig was the hero for the Hoops as his 25-yard stunning strike was the solitary goal in his Old Firm debut. However, despite the victory, John Greig’s shocking tackle on Bobby Lennox angered both the management and the fanbase. Although Lennox broke his leg, referee Eddie Thompson initially signalled for a spot-kick, but then went back on his original decision when his linesman had waved his flag for offside. Come late April, this important win against Rangers would prove critical in reclaiming the title for the first time since 1974.

John Greig break Bob Lennox’s leg. Rangers 0 Celtic 1, 24 November 1976. Photo The Celtic Wiki

John Hartson scores against Barcelona at Camp Nou on 24 November 2004. Photo The Celtic Wiki

20 years ago today, Barcelona 1-1 Celtic. Martin O’Neill’s side displayed a resilient defensive performance at the Nou Camp gaining a valuable point in a challenging Champions League group stage. It had been a painful few weeks for the Hoops who had suffered back-to-back defeats to Rangers at Ibrox firstly in the Scottish League Cup, and then the league, all in the space of 10 horrible days.

Chris Sutton against Barcelona at Camp Nou on 24 November 2004. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Memorably, Magnus Hedman kept Celtic in the game during the first 45 in Spain. Samuel Eto’o’s exquisite finish was cancelled out by John Hartson’s tap in from a wonderful Stan Petrov delivery on the stroke of half-time. Celtic managed to see a nervy second half out, and escape Catalonia with a point. Notable starters for Barca that night included; Van Bronckhorst, Xavi, Deco and Ronaldinho. Unknowns Lionel Messi and Iniesta were on the bench [whatever happened to those lads?].

Incredibly, Celtic’s draw against Barca on Spanish soil was the first time ever we hadn’t been beaten away from home in the Champions League. The Hoops would disappointingly end their 2004/2005 Champions League campaign bottom of their group on 5 points.

Ronaldinho of Barca tackles Stilian Petrov of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between FC Barcelona and Glasgow Celtic, held at The Nou Camp Stadium on November 24, 2004 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Scott McDonald, Celtic versus Aberdeen. 24 November 2007. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen. A comprehensive home victory against a decent Dons side under the stewardship of Jimmy Calderwood. Gordon Strachan possibly had one eye on Celtic’s vital upcoming Champions League clash with Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk on the Wednesday night [which we won in dramatic fashion]. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink netted Celtic’s opener whilst Aiden McGeady’s 20 yard strike which gave Jamie Langfield no chance made it 2-0. Scott McDonald’s 14th goal of the season early on in the second-half sealed a comfortable afternoon at Paradise.

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr, Volumes One & Two, Published by Celtic Star Books

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. OUT NOW!

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