'We were so cold, dirty and wet that day that we just shook hands and headed up the tunnel'

Graeme Macpherson

Football Writer

Thursday 22 March 2012

IT is unlikely Scottish football will ever again experience a season like 1966/67.

Jock Stein and his Celtic players celebrate winning the title at Ibrox. Picture: Newsquest Media Group

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Graeme Macpherson

Rangers and Celtic reached the finals of European competitions a week apart, while Kilmarnock made it through to the semi-finals of another. Dundee United, in their maiden voyage into Europe, claimed the notable scalp of Barcelona. Twice. Scotland, meanwhile, humiliated World Cup holders England on their own Wembley patch. Heady days indeed.

It was Celtic, though, who were to make the biggest impression. Jock Stein's side entered four domestic competitions that year and won the lot. Then, for good measure, they added the European Cup to their trophy haul a few weeks later.The league championship, the second of what was to become nine successive titles, was accrued in dramatic fashion. The two main domestic cups were already secured by the time Stein took his side to Ibrox on May 6, 1967 knowing a draw would be enough to win the title. Only once had Celtic sealed a title at the home of their rivals but the future Lisbon Lions duly did so for a second time with a 2-2 draw, Jimmy Johnstone scoring both in response to Rangers goals from Sandy Jardine and Roger Hynd.No Celtic team has won the league at Ibrox since that day 45 years ago but a third opportunity could present itself to the current crop on Sunday should Motherwell fail to defeat Kilmarnock the day before. It is difficult to imagine Neil Lennon and his players trooping off quickly and quietly should they seal a first championship in four years but that was what happened in 1967."Big Jock never allowed us to celebrate on the pitch or make a big deal about these things," Bertie Auld, the former Celtic midfielder, recalled. "We were so cold, dirty and wet that day that I think we just shook hands and headed up the tunnel. The celebrations were saved for later."A draw was all Celtic needed that day but there was no prospect of Stein asking his players to change their usual attacking style. "There was a title on the line and we were off to the ground of our rivals but it was no different than any other game," Auld said. "Big Jock always took the edge away from these games by reminding us it was just two points at stake."All we had to do was not get beat but Jock never played that way. He played in every game to win. Only once – away to Dukla Prague I think – can I remember him putting out a defensive team; the same players but asked to do different jobs. That was always his philosophy. Let the other team worry about us."Auld, still fighting fit at 73 years old, says two things stick in the memory from that day at Ibrox; the goal Johnstone thumped in from the best part of 30 yards, and the presence of Helenio Herrera, the Internazionale coach, in the stand ahead of his side's meeting with Celtic in the European Cup final."The park that day was like a quagmire," Auld said. "The referee stoated the ball on the pitch and it didn't move. But wee Jimmy still managed to score a brilliant goal, and with his left foot too. The other thing I remember was Herrera had come over to take a look at us ahead of the final. He wouldn't have been disappointed with what he saw."Unlike their predecessors, there is no longer a treble at stake for the class of 2012 following the defeat to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Communities League Cup final. Auld, though, believes that the disappointment may further inspire Lennon's players. "The setback will have been a blow to them but this is the perfect chance to bounce back," said Auld. "There is nothing like an Old Firm game to get you going, even more so than cup finals."It should be a fantastic occasion and I'm sure the Celtic punters will be there in vast numbers. It will be special if they do it as it will be first time winning the league at Ibrox for 45 years. But more importantly it will be Neil's first title as manager and he deserves it when it comes."

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'We were so cold, dirty and wet that day that we just shook hands and headed up the tunnel'

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