Celtic 2
Dundee Utd 1
Scottish Cup (Final)

Match Report

The adage that lightning doesn't strike twice was disproved in our fifth Scottish Cup final appearance! Only three years have passed since the 1985 Cup final when we lead Celtic by a Stuart Beedie until late in the game before the Parkhead men hit us late in the game with goals by Provan and McGarvey. Well that was all too accurate dress rehearsal of the 1988 version.

Chances in the first half were limited. Joe Miller scorned a good chance in the 21st minute when his header was scrambled clear. This countered a bright start by us, in which a header by Mixu Paatelainen was cleared off the line by Paul McStay.

Immediately after the interval Kevin Gallacher, now playing through the middle was brought down by Roy Aitken, who was booked. McKnight saved Eamonn Bannon's free-kick, a goal was only very briefly delayed. Bannon won the ball from the-kick out and found Kevin Gallacher who outpace Roy Aiken before firing in a magnificent shot high into the net.

Following the goal we enjoyed the better of things and Eamonn Bannon missed a similar chance to Joe Miller in the first half. Taking heart from that let-off Celtic pulled out all the stops and equalised in the 75th minute when Frank McAvennie headed in a Rogan cross. We hit back and almost went ahead again when Eamonn Bannon failed to connect properly with a cut-back from John Clark. As extra-time loomed tragedy struck. A corner was played short to Stark, whose mighty effort broke to Frank McAvennie, who diverted the ball home.

So Celtic grabbed the glory of the double in their Centenary season and in the manner in which it came about gave one the impression that it was all pre-ordained.