CELTIC 2 RANGERS 1 October 23 1965
CELTIC had won the Scottish Cup six months earlier and it was imperative they cemented their rise from the doldrums with a League Cup Final victory over Rangers.
John ‘Yogi’ Hughes tucked away two first-half penalty-kicks on his way to becoming the club’s eighth highest scorer with 189 goals.
The fans’ favourite recalled “I was our designated spot-kick taker and I realised the immense pressure on me if we got an award.
SPOT ON – AT THE DOUBLE…John Hughes sends Rangers keeper Billy Ritchie the wrong way for the breakthrough goal and (below) repeats the feat to seal a League Cup Final victory for Celtic.
“It was difficult enough in an ordinary league game, but in a Cup Final at a packed Hampden would have been awesome.
“Please remember I was only 22 at the time.
“The first penalty came when Ronnie McKinnon handled the ball and referee Hugh Phillips pointed to the spot. I stepped forward to hit the ball practically down the middle of the goal and into the net.
“Not long afterwards, Jimmy Johnstone was sent sprawling and once again the ref had no hesitation in giving us the award.
“‘Oh hell,’ I thought, ‘where do I place this one?’ I struck the ball to the keeper’s right. Thankfully, it hit the target. Rangers got a late goal via a deflection, but the trophy was ours.”
*TOMORROW: Don’t miss CLASSIC CELTIC: Part Five – only in your champion CQN.
