The Cups – Rangers reached both finals and had great chance to make a treble and prove that they had no rival in Scotland. At the League Cup final they faced Aberdeen, the closest rival in the current championship, and prevailed 3-2.
Aberdeen put a good fight, but eventually lost to classier opponent.
This was the first trophy Rangers won this season and early at that (October 23rd, 1988), so confidence was boosted and ambition growing. And European problems were also shown… this was the regular starting eleven, made of 6 Englishmen.
Half a year later, in May 1989, Rangers faced their arch-enemy Celtic at the FA Cup final. By now they had one Cup in their hands and the title was practically in their hands as well, and Celtic had inferior team… but Celtic won 1-0.
Glasgow Rangers failed to win a treble. No big deal, apart from the bitter taste of losing to the arch-enemy.
Celtic clearly had rough time – Roy Aitken was practically the only star in the team, which compared to Rangers’ selection was nothing, but sometimes one great player and plenty of ambition (and what better motivation than beating Rangers!) was enough. More than a Cup was clearly not up to this squad, but still they finished the season with a trophy.
May be Rangers stabbed themselves with the great mistake giving the scoring opportunity to Miller, but the cold fact is that Celtic scored and Rangers did not.
Celtic fought bravely as ever and at the end triumphed to the delight of their fans.
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