Though born 129 years apart, two Ibrox players have secured a small place in Celtic (and Ibrox) history…
John Beaton points to the spot after a VAR review. theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026.
Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Jock Drummond (born 1870) and Dujon Sterling (born 1999) are different players from massively separate eras playing for different versions of ‘Rangers’ in different eras. But they have one unfortunate connection – for them, at least.
The link is about penalties at Ibrox. Drummond’s handball gave away the first ever penalty at the southside ground. Yesterday, Sterling did the same, helping Celtic claim a point.
Johnny Campbell scored Celtic’s first penalty at Ibrox against Rangers. Photo The Celtic Wiki
The second (current) Ibrox opened in December 1899. Celtic’s first game there was 24 February 1900 in the Scottish Cup. The Bhoys trailed until a Jock Drummond handball gave Celtic the first ever penalty at Ibrox.
Johnny Campbell converted for the Celts before Jack Bell put them ahead. However a late Rangers goal meant it ended 2-2.
The green-and-white stripes (no hoops until 1903) went on to win the replay 4-0. Celtic then claimed the Scottish Cup by beating Queen’s Park 4-3 (in the Hampden team’s last Scottish Cup final). Interestingly, Celtic’s first win at the second Ibrox came in March 1900. Celtic won an Inter-City League game 2-1 – and got another penalty!
On Sunday, the most recent Ibrox penalty also came from a handball. A Dujon Sterling infringement led to a Celtic spot kick following a VAR intervention. The Bhoys had trailed 2-0 but got it back to 2-1 with a fine headed goal from Kieran Tierney. Reo Hatate missed the penalty (twice!) but eventually made it 2-2 in the crucial Scottish Premiership match.
Daizen Maeda forces the penalty at Ibrox. theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Celtic head back to Glasgow’s southside this coming weekend. Hopefully they can go one better this time. The tie will be played to a finish so if it’s level after the 90 minutes plus stoppage time then it will go to extra time and if necessary penalties.
Reo Hatate of Celtic takes the penalty kick that was saved by Jack Butland of Rangers (not pictured) during the Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Here’s the Sky Sports VAR watch with everyone agreeing it was a penalty.
🗣️ “They are totally consistent.”
🗣️ “If it hits your arm, it is a penalty.”The decision to award handball against Dujon Sterling during yesterday’s Old Firm is backed on Ref Watch ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/r6mcr6FjvF
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 2, 2026
Reo Hatate scores at Ibrox. theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Hail Hail
Matthew Marr
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
