Disaster victims remembered
To the innocent passer-by it must have looked like a normal matchday at Ibrox as thousands made their way along the streets of Govan towards the famous stadium. But there all similarities ended as no match was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon and the only applause that was to come from the stands was more reminiscent of a piano concert than an Old Firm derby. For Rangers were paying tribute to those who had lost their lives there over the years, on the 30th anniversary of the worst disaster of them all. The years 1902 and 1961 were both marked by deaths of supporters on Ibrox matchdays, but it was January 2 1971 that will always be remembered in Glasgow. For that was the day when 66 Rangers fans were killed in a crush on Stairway 13 minutes after a derby with Celtic had ended 1-1. Stairway 13 no longer exists of course and the Ibrox of 2001 is an all-seater stadium now.
But where it used to be, where the Main Stand and the Copland Road Stand meet, a poignant memorial service took place.While the thousands filed into the stadium to take their seats, relatives of those who died gathered outside to take part in the service, which was conducted by the Reverend Stuart McQuarrie. Ibrox at 3pm is often a raucous venue, with the noise from the home fans an intimidating prospect for visiting teams. But on this occasion all that could be heard was a low murmuring of the Lord's Prayer, quiet, almost contemplative singing of Psalm 23 and the noise of seats banging together as the assembled were called upon to stand for prayers and a minute's silence.
John Greig was the home captain on that day 30 years ago and he and chairman David Murray unveiled a statue of the man voted the greatest ever Ranger. Greig, who had been flanked by team manager Dick Advocaat and Murray while Rev McQuarrie spoke movingly about the events of January 2 1971, which he had personally witnessed, and he went on to lay a wreath in front of the blackened, one-and-a-half-times life sized figure of himself. Celtic were also represented, with chairman Brian Quinn and former captain Billy McNeill present.
Minister for Sport Sam Galbraith, Lord Provost Alex Mosson and Chief Constable John Orr were also there. The service was relayed to those in the ground via the giant video-screens and when the pictures faded away at the end it was marked by polite applause by the thousands who had assembled, many of whom had not even been born when the disaster occurred.
