Standing on the Hampden turf, ten years ago today, Mark Warburton was understandably feeling the strain.
His temperament, shaped in the city of London where billion-dollar deals were the order of the day, allowed Warburton to pride himself on an ability to maintain his cool. It’s a level of emotional control that help take him from the currency trading floor to the manager’s office at two of Britain’s most storied clubs — Nottingham Forest and Rangers.
But keeping a lid on things is a lot more challenging when your young team, assembled on a relative shoestring, is facing five spot-kicks to make history against your most bitter rival.
“That Celtic game was probably the most stressful I’ve ever had in my career, really. And not because of the football — it was more about knowing the consequences.
“I had many friends and I knew what it meant to them. All they spoke about in the build-up to the game was what it would mean to the blue side of Glasgow. Can we win? Can we do it? Can we beat them? And it just continually built up.
“I hope I’ve never looked nervous on the touchline but the worst I’ve ever been was in that shootout, just realising it was so important to so many.”
Warburton’s team claimed a memorable victory in the end — the Championship David beating the Premiership Goliath. It’s understood that the wages paid to Celtic captain Scott Brown would have covered those of at least half of Warburton’s XI that day. There will likely never be another Old Firm derby where the gap between the teams was so significant.
And yet Rangers — a combination of loanees, kids, and grizzled veterans like Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace — were confident they could pull off the biggest shock this fixture has ever seen.
Warburton explained: “We had young players like Dom Ball, Gedion Zelalem, and James Tavernier at the time, so they were going into it as virgin territory. The old heads like Lee and Kenny were vitally important, and then you had the understanding of what it meant to the blue side of Glasgow. The boys were very, very aware of that.
“So there was a really nice balance between understanding the responsibility and enjoying the occasion as well. They couldn’t wait to get out there and play. People have asked about the night before at Mar Hall — ‘how nervous were they?’ They just couldn’t wait for the game.
“The truth is, nine times out of ten, you lose that game because of the calibre of players we were playing against. But it was the combination of factors — not least the freedom to go and play in a game of that stature and embrace the responsibility rather than be daunted by it. We started well and moved the ball so crisply.
“I think probably every Celtic fan in that stadium within the first 15 minutes saw the goal coming. That strike from Kenny Millar to go one up was a real wake-up call for them. I think up to that point, they thought they could stroll it.”
There's no doubt Rangers were on the front foot from the start, but Celtic were also creating chances — good ones — and none better than what befell English winger Patrick Roberts.
When Leigh Griffiths’ low shot hit the post and bounced back across the goal, it was agape. Keeper Wes Foderingham was scrambling back manfully but nowhere near quickly enough. It had to be a goal. It wasn’t.
Warburton would have been entitled to look to the heavens and wonder if there was some sort of destiny at play, surely?
“You don’t ever think that, to be honest. If you look at my position on the touchline, I was right behind it.
“Even me, being totally right-foot dominant, could have put that in with my left. Ninety-eight times out of 100 he’s going to score. I don’t think he could believe what happened just then, a vitally important moment.
“Just before that, Brown had a great strike that went just wide of Wes’s right-hand post, flashed across the goal. But we were still controlling the ball and getting into dangerous areas. I think Ronny was a little bit concerned that we were so comfortable and had so much of the ball. I was delighted for the players, and obviously they saw out the first half.”
“It was just disappointing to concede so early in the second half from a corner we should have dealt with. But Eric Sviatchenko is a big player, a big target, an international.”
The 90 minutes finished in parity, but Barry McKay had a magic moment up his sleeve.
Warburton recalled: “Barry’s a top, top talent and a lovely kid as well. But what he had was so much technical ability. When he got that ball and cut back on Scott Brown — again, from my position right behind him — he’s roofed that from 30 yards.
“I’m not sure any keeper on the planet would have saved that one. It was a moment of outstanding quality. Like the Patrick Roberts miss, that’s one in 100 at best — but he nailed it, such a clean finish.
“Then there was a late goal from Tom Rogic and suddenly you find yourself at 2-2 — and it comes down to the lottery of penalties.
⚽️ GOAL OF THE DAY | Barrie McKay v Celtic pic.twitter.com/IbeuOwlbcZ
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 23, 2021
“I think there was a real feeling around the ground that Rangers had justified getting to that point, but now you had to finish it. They’re pros — the likes of Kenny and Lee, they don’t want to miss out on beating Celtic, that’s for sure.
“You had young guys like Gedion who, you know, stepped up with a penalty and then had the temerity to put his finger to his lips and walk away. He was 18 years old — a free loan. You look at him and Dom and see young guys on a couple of grand a week. I was looking around, thinking how they’d deal with it. But they were magnificent to a man.”
When Tom Rogic skied the decisive penalty, an elated Warburton grabbed his trusty assistants — Weir and Jim Stewart — in an emotional embrace.
“You’ve got two Rangers legends there. Davie Weir is quite rightly in the Hall of Fame for everything he’s done — a tremendous man and character. Big Jim Stewart is a gentleman, an outstanding coach, and his passion for the game runs deep.
“But then I did think about Ronny Deila, because I had a moment of understanding that he was about to get absolutely mauled by the media. He’s a good guy, a pleasant individual. And irrespective of the rivalry, that was my immediate thought.”
Warburton’s moment of glory was his finest as Rangers manager.
While the Championship and Challenge Cup were secured, he would go on to lose the subsequent Scottish Cup final to Hibs, and the following season was beset by myriad problems both on and off the pitch.
And yet the Englishman looks back with pride and fondness at a club he feels a special bond with to this day.
“It was a privilege to manage a club like Rangers — and it gets you,” he smiles. “I was born in Tottenham. That's my club. My son’s a really passionate fan. But Rangers gets in your blood.”
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