On any other afternoon, such dank and bone-chilling conditions would have been the Scottish climate's unsubtle hint to stay indoors, draw the curtains and bank the hearth. Not so on January 2, 1971, a lethal date in the annals of British football.
It was a time when New Year still edged it over Christmas as a communal celebration for most Scots and the football authorities responded with a schedule designed to yield as much action — and draw bumper takings — from the expats and relations who had come home for the festivities from Australia, Canada and the USA, and, of course, from England. Evenings were reserved for drink-fuelled reminiscences, sing-songs and visits to former neighbours.
Daylight, even of the thin ration on offer, provided an excuse to get out of the house for what passed for fresh air and for supporters of Rangers and Celtic the climax of celebrations was their traditional New Year derby.
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