A DEADLY, STRANGE GAME

Attempting to silence an Old Firm crowd in the furious midst of battle is akin to tap dancing in a minefield. But it was achieved by hugely, respected Rangers Captain David Meiklejohn, who realising the ghastly extent of Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson's injury advanced angrily towards his own howling supporters and remonstrated with them to show some respect.

Suddenly a disturbing hush fell upon the terraces, one of deep foreboding. As players from both teams surrounded the twenty-three-year old stricken keeper it was Meiklejohn who called for the stretcher bearers. With blooding seeping out of the unconscious Thomson's ears, Rangers player James (Doc) Marshall (a medical student,) intimated to those around him it was already too late.

High in the stands John Thomson's fiancée screamed in horror as he was rushed down the tunnel into the dressing room. There doctors diagnosed Thomson had suffered a depressed fracture of the skull and he was taken to a nearby Victorian infirmary. John Thompson died that night at 9-25 after never regaining consciousness.

Up unto the fateful moment it had been a typically fraught Old Firm derby with the religious Sectarianism that rips apart these great clubs poisonous as ever. Songs of battles long fought, won and lost. William of Orange, the Pope, Irish Republicanism, dancing in Finian blood, Protestant scum. It goes on....

A Deadly Strange Game.

There also existed the added ingredient as if needed to this powder keg of a fixture, the fact Rangers were attempting to win a sixth successive title. Thus equalling Celtic's proud record. On the field tackles came late, bodies crashed, neither gave an inch and nobody noticed the ball.

That is until shortly after half-time when powerful Rangers winger Jimmy Flemming played a through pass for his centre-forward Sam English. The injury jinxed English, only passed fit before kick-off raced away looking a certainty to score. But rushing out to face him was Celtic keeper Thomson whom noted for his bravery dived headfirst at the Ranger's man's feet to deny him a goal.

Tragically English's knee smashed accidentally into Thomson head and he lay deathly still.

John Ludden
Cfieldsoffire@aol.com