Andrew Harbison

My top football memory has to be the 6-2 ‘Demolition Derby’ win for Celtic against Rangers on August 28, 2000 – with two goals each for Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton, plus singles for Lambert and Petrov.

My stomach churning as always before Old Firm matches; praying for Celtic to win and for bragging rights the next day. On this sunny Sunday morning, I stepped onto the bus with a pocket radio listening to Super Scoreboard. Straight away, GOAL – Chris Sutton made it 1-0. Both myself and the bus driver celebrated loudly. 

Then, seven minutes gone – GOAL – as Petrov’s header made it 2-0 from Moravcik’s corner. Again we celebrated, punching the air and cheering. We both wondered ‘Could this be a rout?’ The bus set off. I was glued to the commentary. Four minutes later – GOAL. Lambert fired in the third. Celtic were coasting.

Then, Rangers made it 3-1. I was now walking towards my destination … the second half kicked off. 50th minute – GOAL. Larsson jinked through the Rangers defence and chipped Klos. Again, I celebrated loudly. 4-1 up in an Old Firm game. My euphoria was dampened when Stephane Mahe conceded a penalty and Rangers made it 4-2.

The game swept from end to end, as always. Then, a free-kick from Bobby Petta – GOAL! A glancing header from Henrik Larsson made it 5-2. That was it, I thought. Then, a piercing run and cross to Sutton – GOAL! 6-2. ‘Demolition Derby’ was complete.

Later that day, as my dad walked through Glasgow amongst all the celebrating Celtic fans, he saw this bloke walking towards him. 

The guy was chanting away, “6-2! 6-2! 6-2!!” with a look of delirium – his arms slightly raised and his fists clenched in the style of Marco Tardelli’s goal celebration in the 1982 World Cup final – as he basked in the famous win. 

My dad watched this bloke walk on and still he kept chanting away, “6-2. 6-2. 6-2. 6-2!!”. It summed up the day perfectly.