Following an uninspiring first attempt, Motherwell and Celtic returned for the semi final replay on 10 April 1991. A classic unfolded – here is the late Alex Cameron’s match report in the Daily Record.
TOMMY’S TEAM OF STEEL
Motherwell 4 Arnott (15, 58 mins), O’Neill (69 mins), Kirk (85 mins)
Celtic 2 Boyd (o.g. 4 mins), Rogan (23 mins)
Attendance: 31,371
Motherwell are in the Scottish Cup Final for the first time in 39 years. And how they deserved their fight- back victory at Hampden last night! They played magnificently in a thrilling semi-final replay in teeming rain.
Both teams repaid the gallant fans who were soaked on the terracings by giving a really entertaining water-gala. Motherwell were 2-1 down at half time and the odds seemed sharply on Cup experts Celtic winning through. But Dougie Arnott, all of 5’7”, snatched a second goal and Cohn O’Neill shot a brilliant 30 yarder before super-sub Steve Kirk made it a convincing 4—2 five minutes from the end.
Arnott was the Man of the Match. The little guy with steel in his heart and stride ran and ran for 90 minutes. But it was also a triumph for manager Tommy McLean. Without playmaker Davie Cooper and key central defender Craig Paterson he boldly put his faith in the team who had won a second chance.
Celtic may well look back in anger at a disallowed goal in only the third minute. Paul Elliott — Celtic’s best man — scored but referee Dougie Hope surprisingly disallowed it. But excuses are churlish. Motherwell won fair and square and with such a scoreline there can be no doubt about this. They walked 10 feet tall as they went to salute their fans at the finish. They were jubilant— and DESERVEDLY.
Celtic had a dream start in just 4 minutes. Boyd and Elliott went up for a corner but the Motherwell man headed the ball down over his own line. Phil O’Donnell kneed it away. But even before it crashed back over the line off Chris McCart the linesman was running towards the centre line indicating a goal.
In 15 minutes spring heeled Arnott brilliantly shot an equaliser after Ferguson had crossed from the right and Boyd touched the ball back. But a goal by Anton Rogan restored the Celtic lead just eight minutes later.
Bonner had a great 48th minute save from defender John Philliben but soon after a great Arnott header caught out the Celtic defence. Luc Nijholt made the cross and Bonner was standed in the mud as the ball sailed past him on his left hand side. NOBODY would argue that Motherwell’s third goal by O’Neill, in 69 minutes, was the best. Taking a pass from Kirk he hit the ball in an instant and sent it rocketing away from Bonner with a 70 mph strike.
Kirk who made such a valuable contribution made it 4—2 five minutes from the end with a super shot. The ball rattled in the stanchion and came down but the referee quickly wheeled away and ran towards the centre spot with Celtic players protesting.
The appearance of super sub Steve Kirk added new dash to the Motherwell front line and the Celts were taken aback.
It will be a very open final and on last night’s showing Motherwell will not be easily beaten. Every credit to Motherwell. Celtic finally couldn’t match the industry, persistence, the running power or a side fighting for the club’s biggest honour in their own lifetime. Scotland full-back Tom Boyd didn’t look fit, but still hung in until he had to hobble off after 67 minutes. This meant a re-oprganisation, with Luc Nijholt going to the left and Jim Griffen slotting into the right-back role.
‘Well: Maxwell, Nijholt, Boyd; O’Neill, Philliben, McCart; Amott, Griffen, Ferguson, O’Donnell, Angus. 12- Kirk, 14- Cusack.
FirParkCorner 1991 Cup memories – here.