League Cup Glory Amidst a Season of Poison and Paranoia
“Over the past few years, I have been privileged to learn from one of the most excellent managers in world football, and Walter’s record speaks for itself. The success he brought to Rangers during the 9-in-a-row era and the last four years in difficult times has been unbelievable, and he has rightly gained the respect of everyone in the game.”
So said Ally McCoist in February 2011, when it was confirmed he would replace Walter Smith as Rangers manager at the end of that season.
The greatest manager in Rangers’ modern history, arguably in its entire history, had once again announced midseason that he would be stepping down at the end of the campaign, and his successor had been chosen. It was to be the end of another Smith era. And was one that, unlike 1998, finished with silverware.
Back in the late ’90s, his battle-hardened history makers had fallen just short of an unprecedented tenth straight title. Both Rangers and Celtic stumbled in a campaign where neither seemed willing to grasp the initiative, and it was Rangers who were pipped to the league championship on the final day.
One similarity between 2011 and 1998, though, was the suffocating pressure that gripped the entire title race. It was an exhausting championship shootout that most were glad to see the back of once it was over.
The 2010/11 season was, without question, one of the most poisonous and toxic in the history of Scottish football. Bullets were sent through the post to Celtic manager Neil Lennon. Trouble ensued between rival fans in the streets of Glasgow. Emergency summits at Holyrood took place, and even Police statements warning fans about their conduct after Old Firm matches were released.
And it wasn’t just the supporters whose actions were causing controversy. A Scottish Cup replay between both clubs saw three red cards brandished, along with the Celtic manager and Rangers’ manager-in-waiting having a very public spat on the touchline upon the final whistle.
All this chaos played out amid a neck-and-neck title race, too. One that was ultimately decided by a single point, in a season where the Old Firm collided a record seven times: four in the league, twice in the Scottish Cup, and once in the League Cup final. The latter, fittingly, is the subject of today’s trip down memory lane.
As for the roots of the toxicity that season? That’s open for debate. But a strong argument can be made that it began when Celtic, as a club and a support, launched their clever and calculated vendetta against Scottish referees.
A few early-season decisions went against them, and, with the Celtic support never being a fanbase renowned for showing much hesitation when an opportunity presents itself to play the proverbial victim card, the world’s smallest violin was dusted off once more, and in the early part of 2010/11, the campaign against referees began.
Chants from the stands were soon backed by statements from Parkhead’s hierarchy. It spiralled out of control, forcing referees into hiding. By November 2010, it came to a head when officials went on strike, leaving league bosses scrambling to bring in foreign replacements just to get the fixtures played.
It was a farce. And it was all the doing of one club and its unwillingness to look at its own inadequacies while its greatest rivals chased a third consecutive title.
Fast forward to March 2011, a few months after the referee shambles, the sixth Old Firm clash of an exhausting, bitter season was on the horizon. This time, the prize was the League Cup at Hampden. Celtic had enjoyed the better of recent meetings, winning three of the last four, including 3–0 and 2–0 victories in the league. The sides had drawn 2–2 in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox before Celtic edged the replay 1–0, the infamous night of three red cards and touchline chaos between both benches.
Having enjoyed such dominance, Neil Lennon’s side entered the final as clear favourites. They had overtaken Rangers in the league, who were only days after coming off a European exit and experiencing some patchy domestic performances. All signs pointed towards another Celtic win.
So, a big performance was needed. Celtic had form and confidence. But Rangers had Walter.
Rangers lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 for the Hampden showdown. Neil Alexander was in goal behind a back four of Steven Whittaker, David Weir, Madjid Bougherra, and Sasa Papac. Maurice Edu and Steven Davis anchored midfield, with Kyle Lafferty and youngster Gregg Wylde on the wings. Steven Naismith played just off the main striker, Nikica Jelavic.
The game began in typical blood-and-thunder fashion, and it was Rangers who struck first. In the 24th minute, an excellent driving run from Davis ended with his shot clipping Fraser Forster’s post and rolling in to make it 1–0.
The lead lasted only seven minutes, as Joe Ledley’s header levelled the tie. From there, it was tense and evenly balanced, the kind of final always destined to be settled by the odd goal. Both teams had chances throughout the remainder of the game, but there were no further goals. The 90 minutes ended 1–1, and extra time was needed.
Smith made a crucial change at the end of normal time, bringing on the unpredictable Vladimir Weiss. The Slovakian made an instant impact. In the eighth minute of extra time, he took a quick free-kick while Celtic’s defence switched off, sending Jelavic through on goal. The Croatian made no mistake, though the ball seemed to take an eternity to cross the line after bouncing off the post, before finally nestling in the net to give Rangers a 2–1 advantage.
Celtic threw everything forward in the closing stages, but, no equaliser was forthcoming, and frustration boiled over when Emilio Izaguirre was shown red for a tired challenge on Weiss with seconds remaining. Smith’s men saw it out, and when the final whistle blew, Rangers had secured the trophy with a dramatic extra-time win.
This was a cup win that epitomized everything fans love in a Rangers team. And everything fans got in a Walter Smith Rangers team. Fight, spirit, determination, with a sprinkling of quality from the more talented players in the squad to make the difference. It also set the tone for the title run-in, as Rangers edged Celtic again to claim their 54th league title with a 5–1 win at Rugby Park on the final day. Smith had exorcised the ghosts of 1998 — bowing out in style, with silverware, exactly as he deserved.
The Celtic manager spent that season doing what he did best – blaming, deflecting, and complaining. The Rangers manager did what done best – ignored the noise and won trophies.
Rangers play Celtic this Sunday, again at Hampden, again on League Cup duty. New boss Danny Röhl will lead the team on this occasion, and there’s a familiar sense of spirit and togetherness that’s been lacking in recent months. Let’s hope he can follow in Smith’s footsteps and deliver another famous Hampden victory.
Play up the Glasgow Rangers.