This is how it felt (Celtic 05 08 1972)

[Jonnyboy]

1972 is my year of choice for my ‘how it felt’ offering and specifically 5th August 1972 when Hibs faced Celtic at Hampden Park in the final of the Drybrough Cup. Just a few short months earlier, at the same venue, Hibs were crushed 6-1 by Celtic in the final of the Scottish Cup and so it should come as no surprise that we travelled through more in hope than expectation.

For younger readers, the Drybrough Cup was played preseason and involved the top scoring clubs from the then two Divisions. It also involved an experiment where the 18 yard line was extended to the sidelines and a player could not be adjudged offside until he was in that area. In order to reach the final, Hibs disposed of Montrose winning 4-0, Stanton, Gordon, Duncan and Hamilton being the scorers and the club then known as Rangers, gubbing them 3-0 with Stanton and Gordon the scorers, a double for Alan.

I was 19 at the time and travelled through with my Dad, my brother and my ex wife. My Dad was a recent convert to the game as prior to being dragged along to watch those wonderful Tornadoes, he had little interest in the game. At this point I’ll confess that my Dad had never heard me swear and later on you’ll see why I’ve mentioned that! Oh, by the way, my brother was only 8 for the Napoli game so apologies to him for getting that wrong in my last offering.

Arriving at the ground I was more than a little nervous and not just because we were facing Jock Stein’s Celtic again. The nerves related more to the fact that Celtic fans were never slow to start trouble at the drop of a hat and though there was segregation it wouldn’t have stopped their nonsense if they were in the mood.

Needless to say, Celtic started very strongly but in just five minutes or so, Hibs broke the deadlock when their keeper Evan Williams fumbled a shot from Stanton and big Alan Gordon pounced to drive the ball home. You’ll not be surprised to learn that the Hibs fans went ballistic and given it was terracing rather than the modern day seating, bodies were flying everywhere.

This was brilliant stuff. Hibs had the lead and all over the park they were dominating Celtic who conceded again around the twenty minute mark. Johnny Hamilton swung over a cracking cross and Gordon rose majestically to head the ball home. We were buzzing in my little group and even my Dad joined in the cry of Hibees, Hibees.

Half time came and went and Hibs looked comfortable in containing their opponents. A special mention here for Jim Black and John Blackley who handled Dixie Deans and Kenny Dalglish in a way they had majorly failed to do in the Scottish Cup final.

Just past the hour mark Cropley’s delivery saw Gordon and Billy McNeil challenging for the ball and before we knew it the ball was in the net! We were convinced Gordon had secured a hat trick but later found out that it was officially recorded as a McNeil own goal.

I mentioned earlier my concern about the Celtic fans and it seems that third goal got them so angry that they started throwing bottles and fighting with the Hibs fans closest to them. As if that wasn’t bad enough they then invaded the pitch and referee Bill Mullen rightly took the players off the pitch to allow the police and stewards to restore order.

The break played havoc with Hibs’ domination of proceedings and soon Billy McNeil scored at the right end when he headed home a corner. Soon after the mercurial Jimmy Johnstone added a second and our wee group was now so nervous we could hardly bear to watch.

At the other end John Hazel almost sealed things but his stunning shot met with an equally stunning save by Evan Williams. We felt as though the ref’s watch had stopped and were praying for the final whistle but before that arrived, Johnstone scored again. I was raging and spun round to face my Dad screaming Jimmy ******* ********** Johnstone. He was cool about it and just smiled at me!

Extra time was now required and Eddie Turnbull replaced Hamilton with Jimmy O’Rourke. Why Jimmy wasn’t played from the start I’ve no idea but ten minutes into the first half he showed Turnbull why he should have been selected by crashing home a long range effort to give us a 4-3 lead. Our group was back to being ecstatic again or more accurately nervously ecstatic.

Five minutes later the nerves disappeared as Arthur Duncan beat Danny McGrain wide on the left before weaving his way into the box and blasting the ball past Williams from a tight angle.

We’d done it! We’d proved we could beat Celtic at Hampden and as the players came across to acknowledge the fans, many a tear was shed.

Hibs: Herriot, Brownlie, Schaedler, Stanton, Black, Blackley, Hamilton, Hazel, Gordon and Cropley and Duncan.