Soccer Celtic wins Glasgow,s Old Firm clash

Press, 4 January 1988, Page 16

Soccer Celtic wins Glasgow,s Old Firm clash

By

DAVE THOMPSON

of

Reuters NZPA-Reuter London Two goals by the Celtic striker Frank McAvennie crushed Scottish soccer champion Rangers 2-0 in the traditional New Year clash yesterday of the Glasgow arch-rivals known as the Old Firm. With runaway English league leader, Liverpool, out of action because of a flooded pitch and second-placed Nottingham Forest not playing until today, attention focused firmly on the top of the Scottish premier league, with 61,000 fervent supporters crammed into Celtic’s Parkhead ground. The fixture, always a passionate affair, was loaded with an extra dimension on this occasion. When the two teams last met, in October, three players, including McAvennie, were sent off and, along with Rangers' Graham Roberts, later charged by police with conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. Managers and officials were hoping desperately there would be no repeat this time and mercifully the players seemed to be on their best behaviour. McAvennie deservedly put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time with a fine goal following a swift and incisive build-up. Celtic continued to create the better chances but the decisive goal six iffinutes from time followed a slice of

Rangers misfortune. Goalkeeper Chris Woods, another of the four charged by police, had to go off with a chest injury. Roberts took over and within a minute McAvennie struck again. The win keeps Celtic on top of the league and it is now seven points clear of fourthplaced Rangers, which has a game in hand. There was worse news for Rangers after the game when it was discovered Woods had a suspected broken rib and could be out of action for six weeks. Celtic’s nearest challengers, Aberdeen and Hearts, both lost a little ground after surprisingly being held to goalless draws at home to Dundee United and Hibernian respectively. Celtic has a three-point lead over Aberdeen, which is one ahead of Hearts and four clear of Rangers. In England, third-placed Arsenal had a chance to overtake Nottingham Forest but could only draw 0-0 at home to Queen’s Park Rangers in an undistinguished game. The other clash of London rivals, between Chelsea and Tottenham, also ended goalless. Fourth-placed Manchester United won 1-0 at bottom club Watford, thanks to a 17th minute goal by Brian McClair. But it was Watford which forced much of the pace, with United looking not the faintest championship threat to Liverpool whose game at Derby was called off earlier

in the day. Liverpool stays 13 points clear of Nottingham Forest and 14 ahead of Arsenal, which has played two more games than the title favourites. Wimbledon continued its surge up the table, recording its fifth win in succession when it demolished lowly Oxford 5-2 away after leading 3-0 at half-time. The victory, which lifted the Londoner to fifth place, came with goals from Alan Cork (2), Carlton Fairweather, Lawrie Sanchez and John Fashanu. Newcastle United, which upset Nottingham Forest on Saturday was held to a 2-2 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Results of British soccer matches played yesterday. — ENGLAND Division one Arsenal 0, Queen’s Park Rangers 0; Chelsea 0, Tottenham 0; Coventry v. Norwich postponed; Derby v. Liverpool postponed; Newcastle 2, Sheffield Wednesday 2; Oxford 2, Wimbledon 5; Watford 0, Manchester United 1; West ham 1, Luton 1. Playing today: Everton v. Nottingham Forest, Southampton v. Portsmouth. Division two Barnsley 1, Aston Villa 3; Birmingham 1, Swindon 1; Bradford 1, Stoke 4; Huddersfield 1, Blackburn 2; Ipswich 1, Millwall 1; Leicester 4, Crystal Palace 4; Manchester City 1, Shrewsbury 3; Reading v. Bournemouth postponed; Sheffield United 0, Oldham 5; West Bromwich 1, Plymouth

0. Playing today: Hull v. Leeds. Division three Brentford 1, Southend 0; Brighton 1, Aidershot 1; Bristol Rovers v. Bristol City postponed; Bury 2, Sunderland 3; Chester 1, Blackpool 1; Doncaster 3, Wigan 4; Gillingham 2, Fulham 2; Mansfield 1, Grimsby 0; Notts County 3, Northampton 1; Port Vale 0, Chesterfield 1; Preston 3, York 0; Walsall 5, Rotherham 2. Division four Burnley 1, Tranmere 1; Cardiff v. Wrexham postponed; Crewe 0, Wolverhampton 2; Exeter 2, Leyton Orient 3; Halifax v. Bolton postponed; Hartlepool 0, Carlisle 0; Hereford 0, Swansea 0; Peterborough 2, Colchester 0; Scarborough 0, ■ Darlington 1; Scunthorpe 3, Cambridge 2; Stockport 1, Rochdale 1; Torquay v. Newport postponed.

SCOTLAND Premier division Aberdeen 0, Dundee United 0; Celtic 2, Rangers 0; Hearts 0, Hibernian 0; St Mirren 0, Morton 0; Played Saturday: Motherwell 0, Falkirk 0. Division one Airdrieonians 1, Hamilton 4; gDumbarton 1, Clydebank 3; East Fife 1, Raith 2; Kilmarnock 0, Queen of the South 0; Played Saturday: Clyde 1, Partick 2; Forfar 1, Meadowbank 2. Division two Arbroath 0, St Johnstone 2; Cowdenbeath 5, Berwick 3; Montrose 0, Brechin 1; Queen’s ■ Park 1, Albion 1; Stenhousemuir 2, East Stirling 3; Stirling 2, Alloa 0; Stranraer‘l, Ayr 2. y