FOOTBALL THE WINNER AS IBROX YOUTHS ELIMINATE CELTIC
Last updated : 02 April 2004 By Mister Dog
The Ibrox youngsters were the better team throughout
against a team who – just like their senior
counterparts – relied more on brawn than brain, relied
more on the physical approach in an attempt to
intimidate their more skillful opponents as can be
underlined by the fact that Celtic had no fewer than
five players yellow-carded, one or two of whom were
perhaps fortunate to last the ninety minutes. Not a
single Ranger on the other hand was booked.
Some 700 spectators were present, although the basic
facilities at Barrowfield could scarcely cope with
such a crowd. Frankly the place is a swamp infested
with flies.
A tight first-half produced few openings, although the
Light Blues always looked the likelier with Jordan
McMillan and Brian Gilmour outstanding. Celtic’s
growing frustration was underlined when firstly
Charles Grant then Rocco Quinn were yellow-carded for
bad fouls, the latter being outrageously late.
Within seconds Quinn was extremely fortunate to remain
on the park when he struck out at Warren Jacmot.
Incredibly the referee saw the full incident, but
contented himself with lecturing the Celt when the
only decision should have been a red card.
Rangers’ goal was seldom threatened throughout,
although Celtic did strike the outside of a post in
one breakaway. Ibrox goalkeeper Lee Robinson handled
everything that the home side could throw at him.
With extra-time looming, the breakthrough arrived in
86 minutes – inevitably from a free-kick conceded by
yet another Celtic foul. Ross McCormack bent the ball
around the wall into the corner of the net from some
twenty yards.
Celtic completely lost their discipline in the closing
stages, with two more players yellow-carded in injury
time.
Rangers will now face Kilmarnock in the final.
Team: Robinson; Jacmot, Coyle; Watson, McKenzie,
McMillan; Gilmour, McCormack (Johnston 90), Davidson
(Dick 89), Adam, Fetai
Unused Subs: Reidford, Agnew, Boyd
