Forty years ago, on the opening day of the 1986-87 season, the Scottish league match between Hibernian and Rangers became an infamous spectacle, culminating in player-manager Graeme Souness being sent off and a total of 21 players booked.
The arrival of Souness, the former Liverpool captain, as player-manager for Rangers in April 1986 had already sent shockwaves through Scottish football. Armed with significant backing from chairman David Holmes, Souness began an ambitious spending spree, acquiring established English internationals like Terry Butcher and Chris Woods, signaling Rangers' intent to reclaim past glories after a decade without a league title.
Febrile Atmosphere at Easter Road
The anticipation for the season opener at Easter Road was palpable, with 24,576 fans in attendance. Hibernian, under manager John Blackley, had also invested in their squad, using funds from the sale of Gordon Durie to sign Billy Kirkwood, Stuart Beedie, Willie Irvine, and George McCluskey. The home side took an early lead in the 15th minute when Stuart Beedie scored, prompting taunts from the home crowd towards Rangers' high-priced signings.
Rangers equalized via an Ally McCoist penalty, but tensions quickly escalated. Midway through the first half, a late tackle by Billy Kirkwood on Souness earned the Hibs player a yellow card. Moments later, Souness himself was involved in a contentious two-footed challenge on George McCluskey on the halfway line. This incident ignited a major confrontation, with players from both sides converging in the center circle, resulting in pushing and shoving.
Mayhem and a Red Card
As referee Mike Delaney showed Souness a straight red card in the 37th minute, McCluskey visibly showed the damage to his leg. Despite the flashpoint involving Souness, teammate Colin West, who was involved in a collision with Mark Fulton, only received a booking. The game continued to be fiercely contested with numerous questionable challenges.
Hibernian regained the lead before halftime when Steve Cowan scored after a move involving Billy Kirkwood and Willie Irvine. Although Rangers had chances to equalize in the second half, they were unable to convert, and Hibernian held on to secure the victory. The match concluded with seven yellow cards and Souness's red, a tally that would later be significantly revised.
Repercussions and Season Outcomes
Following the match, the Scottish Football Association retrospectively issued yellow cards to 21 players for their involvement in the general melee, with only the goalkeepers being excused. However, both McCluskey and Fulton successfully appealed their cautions. Souness later expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging his role in the chaos.
Despite the tumultuous start, the result proved to be a poor indicator of the season's trajectory for both clubs. Hibernian struggled after their opening-day win, leading to manager John Blackley's departure and a ninth-place finish. Rangers, after some early season wobbles, went on to win the league title, securing their first league championship since 1978, and also won the League Cup.