The day Rangers challenged Celtic to a chase, then lost spectacularly

On this day 22 years ago Celtic made the short journey to Ibrox to take on Rangers FC at Ibrox in the first Old Firm clash of the season. And as always it was a game of great importance in regard to what getting a win would bring in a psychological sense to either side.

Ragers were defending champions after winning the previous years title on the last day of the season, indeed they had completed a clean sweep of trophies, and were very much regarded as favourites in the eyes of the media and the Ibrox supporters.

Those same supporters were ultra-confident going into the game, highlighted by a noticeable banner hung from the Ibrox stands before kick off which boldly declared ‘we welcome the chase’.

Martin O’Neill’s side however were made of strong stuff, and despite losing out on the title in cruel fashion a few months earlier, were ultra motivated to win back the title and show that they were still very much the dominant force in Scottish football.

Celtic went into the game with something of an injury crisis in regard to the defence with Bobo Balde suspended, and Joos Valgaeren, and Johan Mjallby sidelined through injury, meaning the ultra versatile Chris Sutton moving back into the centre of defence beside new boy Stan Varga, and a more familiar face in the equally as versatile Jackie McNamara, with Magnus Hedman starting in goal.

The rest of the side had a more stable with the likes of Stan Petrov, Neil Lennon, and Liam Miller in the middle of the park, with Didier Agathe and Alan Thompson on the wings, and Henrik Larsson and John Hartson up front.

That man Hartson grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game just seconds after the restart, much to the delight of the free Broomloan who revelled in that feeling of joy that triumph behind enemy lines brings.

Rangers had no answer to a Celtic side who were better in every department, with striker turned defender for the day Chris Sutton looking every inch the seasoned centre back.

Welcome the chase? The only side who would do the chasing that season played in blue as Celtic romped to a league and cup double. Indeed we would go on to win all five Glasgow Derby fixtures that campaign with a splendid whitewash and as for the titles chase, well we all know how that’s turned out in the years that followed.