It was in May 1997 that we had our last triumph on Rangers’ home patch and although the win made the headlines for curtailing the host’s celebrations the points gained were vital in our fight to avoid the dreaded SPL play-off.
Walter Smith was on the verge of his ninth league title on the trot and Ibrox was prepared for a big party. The champagne was chilled and the home fans were in festive mood. It was to be Richard Gough’s last home game before he left for a spell in the USA. The game was to be played on the May Day holiday Monday and, as ever, few fans had travelled from Lanarkshire. Despite the game being broadcast live on $ky, over 50,000 attended.
A scary notice in the 'Well programme
Motherwell were struggling and desperately needed two wins that week to avoid a play-off. Airdrie were leading the First Division and the last thing we wanted was to face them to with top division status as the prize. We were to face Dunfermline at Fir Park five days later.
John Philliben recalled that we had already some success in preventing Rangers from taking the last step in a trophy winning season. In May 1991, just before we won the Scottish Cup, we had to face the same opponents as they tried to win the league at Fir Park. Goals Philliben and a double from Arnott secured a fine 3-0 win.
We took the lead in seven minutes when a cleared corner was picked up by Steven McMillan. He swung the ball back into the box and Owen Coyle steered a left-foot shot beyond Andy Dibble. The rains fell and the Motherwell support was upbeat at the break. We were playing with some style and the home team looked nervous.
In the second half we looked to extend our lead. There was no thought of playing a holding game. Gascoinge was thrown on to support Laudrup, Hateley and Durie but we held firm. Arnott replaced Coyne and almost scored with his first touch. Smith threw McCoist and Durrant on in a final bid to turn the game but we sealed the win with seven minutes remaining. Mickey Weir skipped past Durrant in the box and was felled. Coyle wrong-footed Dibble and the score was 2-0.
The ‘Well fans in the corner of the stadium celebrated long and loud as the home support trooped away. We were to celebrate again at the end of the week when Van der Gaag’s special free kick crashed into the net to ensure that we were to avoid the play-off.
Manager Alex McLeish said: "To come here and win 2-0 is beyond my dreams. Coyle was excellent. He is great in the dressing-room but most important of all have been his performances on the field."
Motherwell (4-4-2): Howie; May, Van der Gaag, Martin, Ross; Weir, McMillan, Valakari, McSkimming (Burns, 80); Coyne (Arnott, 72), Coyle.
Referee: J Rowbotham