Ian Rush Testimonial Liverpool Celtic Glasgow

6 December 1994

Anfield Road,
Liverpool
Attendance:25,856

 Liverpool's sharpshooter supreme Ian Rush scored with a bumper pay-out as Anfield paid homage to its greatest soccer striking legend. A crowd of 25,856 grossed club record receipts for a testimonial of around $500,000 for the 33-year-old Welshman who has become as identified with the red of Liverpool as any player of the past 25 years. Stig Bjornebye, Steve McManaman and a Mark McNally own goal put Liverpool three ahead at the interval with second-half strikes from Phil Babb and Neil Ruddock adding to the pain for the Bhoys.

Six minutes from time, Rush, himself, set the perfect seal on a night of glorious memories when he stabbed in the final goal at the Kop end, where he has been a hero for a decade and a half. Alan Hansen, Phil Thompson, Alan Kennedy, Joey Jones and Ronnie Whelan were among the past wearers of the famous Liverpool red who paid their dues to their former teammate by taking part in a celebrity game before the start of the main event. The 8000-strong Celtic contingent played their part as the two sets of supporters joined together in a standing ovation for Rush when he entered the Anfield arena he has graced so magnificently since joining as a 19-year-old from Chester in 1980. The party was joined when Kenny Dalglish - as much of an idol at Parkhead as Anfield - came out of retirement to reform his celebrated partnership with Rush for the second half. At the final whistle, Rush walked his personal lap of honor to round off the night. The Liverpool skipper told the crowd: "It's been such an emotional night for me. "I'd like to thank the Celtic supporters who've come such a long way to be here. And I'd also like to say thank you to the Liverpool fans, not just for tonight, but for the 14 years you've looked after me - you've been magnificent and I will love you always."

Focus On : Paul Gascoigne : "Gazza The Real Me"

 Arguably the best footballer of his generation, mercurial was a word that could have been invented to describe Paul Gascoigne. After his crucial, but ultimately tearful contribution to England’s 1990 World Cup in Italy, “Gazza” became a household name. And going into the 1991 FA Cup Final for Tottenham against Nottingham Forest, the Gateshead midfielder had signed an £8.5m deal to join Italian Serie A side Lazio. But disaster struck when he wildly challenged Gary Charles, which resulted in him rupturing the cruciate ligaments in his right knee, so he was forced to postpone the move until the following summer.