Falkirk and Celtic packed a fair amount into their September 1992 Premier League meeting at Brockville. Here’s the gist of things: nine goals; two red cards; an assist with a bootless foot, and the referee being struck by a missile thrown from the terraces. The action was witnessed by a crowd of almost 10,000, who were packed into Falkirk’s old stadium, which, in some sections, looked fit to burst.
Celtic, managed by Liam Brady, arrived at Falkirk in need of a win, having lost at home to Hibernian the preceding week and having drawn four of their opening eight league matches, all with a 1-1 scoreline. However, Jim Jefferies’ Falkirk, embarking on their second consecutive season in the Scottish top flight – they were promoted as Division One champions in 1991 – ensured the Glasgow side would have to fight until the very last whistle to leave Brockville with the points.
The match sparked into life in the twenty-sixth minute when Celtic defender Tony Mowbray was given his marching orders after stopping a goal-bound shot with his arm. Falkirk’s Tommy McQueen confidently dispatched the resultant spot-kick to give the Bairns the lead. However, only two minutes later, Celtic were awarded a penalty of their own after striker Andy Payton was upended in the box. Before the kick was taken, referee Martin Clark fell to the ground, having been struck on the head by an object thrown from the crowd. Clark was able to continue following medical attention and his next action was to record Polish international Dariusz Wdowczyk drawing Celtic level with another assured penalty.
Composure among the chaos
The teams were tied at the break, but Celtic took the lead a minute after the restart with the most composed moment of a chaotic match. After a John Collins shot was blocked, the ball found its way to Gerry Creaney six yards from goal. Rather than lashing the ball home, Creaney coolly lifted it over sprawling Falkirk goalkeeper Gordon McDougall with a deft chip with his right boot.
Ten minutes later, Falkirk were level courtesy of an Ian McCall strike, following some excellent wing play from Eddie May; the equaliser kicked off a crazy spell of action that brought five goals in 20 minutes. In the sixty-sixth minute, McCall put the Bairns ahead for the second time in the match when his delightful free-kick from 25 yards sailed over the Celtic wall and beyond goalkeeper Pat Bonner. Within two minutes, Falkirk doubled their advantage. Scott Sloan gathered the ball inside his own half and set off for the Celtic box. In a collision with defender Mark McNally, Sloan lost his left boot but maintained control of the ball and found teammate Eddie May, who swivelled and fired past Bonner for 4-2.
Celtic reduced the arrears in the seventieth minute, though, with a poacher’s goal from Andy Payton, who had joined from Middlesbrough that summer. In a truly breathless encounter, Falkirk were then reduced to 10 men as Forbes Johnston was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Moment of magic from Collins
With 13 minutes remaining, Celtic drew level courtesy of a Creaney header. But the visitors weren’t finished. In the final minute, just as it looked as though Jim Jefferies’ side would hang on for a point, a moment of magic from John Collins sent the Celtic fans into delirium. Having seen his initial free-kick blocked by the Falkirk wall, the ball rebounded to Collins 20 yards from goal, and he lashed an unstoppable left foot shot past McDougall and into the net.
For those who enjoy a bit of nostalgia, Brockville – where Falkirk continued to play their home matches for a further decade – has to be one of the most iconic Scottish football grounds. The Hummel jersey the Bairns were sporting that afternoon is also one for the football kit enthusiasts.
Despite the thrilling win at Falkirk, Celtic’s joy was short-lived; the following week, Partick Thistle beat their Glasgow neighbours 2-1 at Parkhead. Liam Brady’s side made two further visits to Brockville that same season. On 6 February 1993, the home side beat Celtic 2-0 in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. Three weeks later, they met again in the league. This time, Celtic ran out 3-0 winners on their way to a third-place finish behind champions Rangers and second place Aberdeen.
Falkirk – despite reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, where they lost to Hearts – were relegated from the Scottish top flight alongside Airdrie, who finished bottom, one place above the Bairns. However, Jefferies’ side bounced straight back, winning the First Division the following season.
Scottish Football Stories 