The league table had an unusual look to it at the end if 1954, with Aberdeen sitting clear of the rest at the top. The New Year, as always, started with the blood and thunder of the Rangers v celtic derby, with most observers struggling to pick a clear favourite for the game. Both sides went into the game on 22 points, and although Rangers did have home advantage, they had lost the in the first meeting of the season at Parkhead, were coming off a defeat at Easter Road in their last game, and were also without the influential Ian McColl through injury.
A slightly disappointing crowd of 65,000 were inside Ibrox to see a very convincing home win, with a superb man of the match performance by South African Johnny Hubbard on the left wing.
As good as Hubbard was, the opposite could be said of Celtic centre half Jock Stein, who had a nightmare match, prompting the newspapers next day to wonder if he had enjoyed his Hogmanay a bit too much.
His day was typified in the 9th minute, when attempting a routine clearance he sliced the ball horribly, with it falling to the feet of Rangers number 10 Derek Grierson. A pass inside to prolific centre forward Billy Simpson and he clinically made it 1-0 to the boys in blue. Celtic raised the tempo of their game, but their attacks were thwarted repeatedly by the Rangers defence, especially George Young who made several important interceptions. In 32 minutes, however, it was level, with Celtic's Willie Fernie scoring with a clever free kick from 20 yards out, the flight deceiving Rangers keeper Niven. Some in the Rangers end wondered if the absent Bobby Brown would have been beaten had he played.
It remained level till the break, although the nervous looking Celtic defence were being regularly beaten by the skill of Hubbard and the pace and power of Simpson. Celtic keeper Bell was busy, although no really clear chances were being created.
The second 45 minutes saw Rangers take control, and it was to be a personal triumph for the skilful Hubbard. In the 73rd minute, 5 minutes after John Prentice had almost broken the Celtic post with a fierce shot, Hubbard made the match clinching move. On gathering the ball outside the penalty area, a quick change of direction took him away from the challenge of Haughney. He then glided past the despairing tackle of the hapless Stein, before rounding Bell and walking the ball into the empty Celtic net to score a magnificent solo goal. The stadium erupted, and Celtic knew that there was no way back.
In 80 minutes, Simpson powered past Stein yet again, then an inch perfect pass released Hubbard clear on goal. His finish was precise, Rangers had a third, and the game was over. But there was still time for a historic Ne'erday hat trick.
With just 60 seconds remaining, the few Celtic fans left inside the ground watched on as Grierson was felled inside the penalty area. With The Penalty King in the Rangers team, this could only mean one thing. Johnny Hubbard stepped up, and nervelessly placed the ball away from Bell and into the net.
Rangers 4 Celtic 1.
Rangers:
Niven; Little, Cox; Pryde, Young, Rae; McCulloch, Prentice, Simpson, Greirson, Hubbard.
Aberdeen went on to win their first ever Scottish championship that season, Rangers inconsistency allowed Celtic to finish one place above them in second. But the season 1954-55 is still remembered for the last Rangers hat trick in the league against the team from Parkhead. Those 3 goals were scored in the space of 17 minutes by the late great Johnny Hubbard MBE. I'm sure as he looks down on us, he would wish that to be a record a Rangers player in the near future breaks.
A slightly disappointing crowd of 65,000 were inside Ibrox to see a very convincing home win, with a superb man of the match performance by South African Johnny Hubbard on the left wing.
As good as Hubbard was, the opposite could be said of Celtic centre half Jock Stein, who had a nightmare match, prompting the newspapers next day to wonder if he had enjoyed his Hogmanay a bit too much.
His day was typified in the 9th minute, when attempting a routine clearance he sliced the ball horribly, with it falling to the feet of Rangers number 10 Derek Grierson. A pass inside to prolific centre forward Billy Simpson and he clinically made it 1-0 to the boys in blue. Celtic raised the tempo of their game, but their attacks were thwarted repeatedly by the Rangers defence, especially George Young who made several important interceptions. In 32 minutes, however, it was level, with Celtic's Willie Fernie scoring with a clever free kick from 20 yards out, the flight deceiving Rangers keeper Niven. Some in the Rangers end wondered if the absent Bobby Brown would have been beaten had he played.
It remained level till the break, although the nervous looking Celtic defence were being regularly beaten by the skill of Hubbard and the pace and power of Simpson. Celtic keeper Bell was busy, although no really clear chances were being created.
The second 45 minutes saw Rangers take control, and it was to be a personal triumph for the skilful Hubbard. In the 73rd minute, 5 minutes after John Prentice had almost broken the Celtic post with a fierce shot, Hubbard made the match clinching move. On gathering the ball outside the penalty area, a quick change of direction took him away from the challenge of Haughney. He then glided past the despairing tackle of the hapless Stein, before rounding Bell and walking the ball into the empty Celtic net to score a magnificent solo goal. The stadium erupted, and Celtic knew that there was no way back.
In 80 minutes, Simpson powered past Stein yet again, then an inch perfect pass released Hubbard clear on goal. His finish was precise, Rangers had a third, and the game was over. But there was still time for a historic Ne'erday hat trick.
With just 60 seconds remaining, the few Celtic fans left inside the ground watched on as Grierson was felled inside the penalty area. With The Penalty King in the Rangers team, this could only mean one thing. Johnny Hubbard stepped up, and nervelessly placed the ball away from Bell and into the net.
Rangers 4 Celtic 1.
Rangers:
Niven; Little, Cox; Pryde, Young, Rae; McCulloch, Prentice, Simpson, Greirson, Hubbard.
Aberdeen went on to win their first ever Scottish championship that season, Rangers inconsistency allowed Celtic to finish one place above them in second. But the season 1954-55 is still remembered for the last Rangers hat trick in the league against the team from Parkhead. Those 3 goals were scored in the space of 17 minutes by the late great Johnny Hubbard MBE. I'm sure as he looks down on us, he would wish that to be a record a Rangers player in the near future breaks.
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