5
FLASHBACK
A look back at the
games and some of the
other newsworthy
events the last time Ajax
visited Ibrox - in Jan
uary 1973.
The date of the first
game was January 16
and the match attracted
a capacity crowd, who
only paid 50 pence for
entry to the ground.
It wasa brilliant game,
although Rangers un
fortunately went down
3-1. But, for the Light
Blues, who had won the
Cup-Winners Cup only
eight months pre
viously, there was no
disgrace in losing to the
European Cup holders.
In fact, after the
match, general manager
Willie Waddell said
"Ajax are the best side
ever to visit Ibrox."
The man in the centre
of everything was Dutch
Internationalist, Johann
Cruyff.
Ajax took the lead in
the 35th minute when
Cruyff put through a
brilliant pass to Rep,
whose thunderous shot
beat the helpless
McCloy.
It only took the Light
Blues five minutes to
come back into the
game. Alfie Conn
pushed a great ball
through a crowd of
Dutchmen to find Mac-
Donald and his 18-yard
shot went in off the post.
One minute before
half-time and Ajax went
ALLY DAWSON
signed on an 'S' Form.
in front with a golden
goalfrom Johann Cruyff.
He took the ball to the
edge of the area, beat a
Derek Johnstone tackle,
switched the ball from
his right to his left foot
and in one movement
turned and beat McCloy
with a marvellous
curling shot.
The second half
opened with a neat dis
play of football from
Rangers, but it was Ajax
who scored again
through Haan in the 71st
minute.
Rangers were also in
the news during the
week when they signed
Alastair Dawson on an
'S' Form. He was 14 and
attended Johnstone
High School.
Dundee United mid-
field star, Jim Henry was
ruled out of football for
the rest of the season
when he was taken to
hospital suffering from a
chest complaint.
A furious row broke
out after ITV was ban
ned from showing a film
ALEX MacDONALD
scored home and away.
about American artist
and film maker, Andy
Warhol. STV and Gram
pian showed highights
of Ajax v Rangers
instead.
A packet of Jacobs
Cream Crackers would
have set you back 5p, a
jar of Hartleys Straw
berry Jam was 10p and a
Vilb of butter would have
cost you 81/2p.
Other events that
week saw the third
round of the Scottish
Cup taking place and
Rangers got a home tie
against Dundee United.
Celtic were at home to
East Fife and Aberdeen
were to travel to Brechin
or East Stirling.
Liverpool and Man
chester United were
trying to sign Celtic
player Lou Macari.
The top of the pops
were as follows in Jan
uary 1973. At number
one David Bowie was
singing The Jean Genie,
Jimmy Osmond was
singing Long Flaired
Lover from Liverpool
and at number three
was You're So Vain
sung by Carly Simon.
The second leg in
Amsterdam against
Ajax was also a great
game.
Rangers opened up
the game brilliantly with
a goal from Alex Mac-
Donald, whose 20 yard
drive beat Stuy in the
Ajax goal.
Seven minutes later,
Ajax equalised with a
goal from Arie Haan, but
Quinton Young put the
Light Blues ahead once
again inthe35th minute.
He netted with a great
header from a Tommy
McLean free kick after
the winger had been
fouled by Haan.
It took a controversial
penalty for Ajax to draw
level. Neeskens went
down as Derek John
stone tackled, but the
linesman had been flag
ging for offside. The
referee ignored his
linesman's signal, gave
a penalty and Gerry
Muhren equalised.
It was Cruyff who put
his side in the lead for
the first time in the
match with a fine goal in
the 79th minute. He con
trolled the ball on his
chest, lobbed it over
Derek Johnstone and
then smashed a low
shot into the net.
It was enough to give
Ajax victory - and earn
them the title of 'Euro
pean Super Cup'
holders.
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