Forgotten Glories: Lesser Known Victories Over Rangers

In the run-up to Sunday's game against Rangers, we thought we'd take a look back at five unheralded victories over our greatest rivals, beginning with a league victory in March 1993.

This may be hard for some people to believe, but Celtic haven't always been the dominant all-conquering side they are now, indeed in the early 1990s Celtic were a very poor team, regularly finishing in 3rd or 4th place in the league and failing miserably in the domestic cups. Whilst Rangers were winning league after league, and in this particular season coming very close to reaching the Champions League final.

In March 1993 Celtic's season was over, out of both cups and miles behind in the league, Rangers were on a 44 match unbeaten run and on their way to a domestic treble. But as has happened many times on derby day, the form book was ripped up, as Liam Brady's side got tore in to Rangers, with a passion that had mostly been absent in this poor season.

Celtic were dominant, with John Collins and Paul McStay ruling in midfield, Collins setting up Andy Payton, who missed from six yards out when it seemed easier to score. The opening goal finally came in the 37th minute, John Collins collecting a pass from McStay, he stepped inside his man and curled a shot into the bottom corner, giving Andy Goram no chance.

Early in the second half, Payton headed onto the bar with Goram nowhere, however he finally got the goal his play deserved in the 52nd minute, getting on the end of a Collins corner with the Rangers defence static.

Celtic continued to push forward, with Frank McAvennie almost getting Celtic's third after he gave Dave McPherson twisted blood but Goram made the save.

Rangers pulled a goal back with six minutes left thanks to a Mark Hateley header, and the same player almost equalised minutes later when his cross/shot went across the face of goal and eluded Ally McCoist. However, the final whistle sounded and Liam Brady had recorded his first win over Rangers at Celtic Park, and Celtic finally restored a bit of pride and given the fans something to shout about in what had been a dreadful season. Celtic eventually ended the season in third place, finishing fourteen points behind Rangers and manager Liam Brady resigned in October after a poor start to the following season. It would take another couple of years to get Celtic back to where we belong but there were always days like these which could be savoured.

Celtic 2 (Collins 37, Peyton 52) Rangers 1 (Hateley 84)