sport news Mikel Arteta knows how to get a team over the line in the tightest of title ... trends now

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson had missed twice from the spot at Dens Park three weeks earlier and, as the tightest of title races headed for final day drama, manager Alex McLeish needed to know who was taking over penalty duties.

In the changing room at Murray Park, two players stuck up their hands. One of the volunteers was Spanish youngster Mikel Arteta, who’d bailed out the distraught Ferguson at Dundee by converting Rangers’ third penalty of that remarkable match, with five minutes to go, to salvage a precious point and keep their SPL hopes alive.

The former Barcelona and PSG midfielder had shown maturity way beyond his years and treble-chasing McLeish, in his first full season as Rangers manager, was happy to hand Arteta the responsibility as the Old Firm title tussle went right down to the wire in May 2003.

That amazing championship finale featured Rangers playing Dunfermline at Ibrox and Celtic facing Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Both were on 94 points, both had a goal difference of +68. Only goals scored could separate the dynamic duo going into that sensational Sunday. Rangers were two better off.

McLeish recalls: ‘We sorted out before every game who would take a penalty if there was one. Barry had missed a couple, despite having enjoyed an incredible goalscoring season, and that meant there were really no arguments about who was going to take on the responsibility. A couple of hands had gone up when I asked the question and Arteta’s was one of them. That was good enough for me.’

And, of course, with goals flying in at both grounds, it all came down to a late penalty at Ibrox. Three minutes into end-of-match stoppage time and the title rivals were still locked together on identical points and goal difference. The SPL pendulum had swung dramatically back and forth throughout the afternoon with both Celtic and Rangers edging into pole position.

McLeish tried to keep his team fully focused on the Ibrox action but it was impossible to ignore what was happening at Kilmarnock.

‘I heard stuff getting shouted from behind the dugout and, of course, the crowd reaction told you everything about what was happening down in Ayrshire. Barry was gesturing to me and I was asking him what he wanted. He shouted over that he was desperate to know what was going on at Rugby Park. I just told him to get on with our game, win it, score as many goals as we can and then worry about the other mob afterwards.’

Finally, with time running out in both games, Rangers had the chance to surely settle the issue. Substitute Neil McCann won the penalty. Arteta grabbed the ball and stepped forward.

‘I felt sure he would score,’ says McLeish. ‘I’m not saying it was written in the stars but the team had amazing momentum at that point. We were scoring, then getting the ball out of the net, heading back to the halfway line and looking to do the same again.

‘When Mikel stepped up, bravely, to take that penalty, I didn’t have any doubts about him. We were caught up in the moment and could see the end game. He got hold of the ball, he was very confident and I’ll never forget the finish or that iconic celebration when he was waving his hands above his head.’

It was an ice-cool spot-kick. Pars keeper Derek Stillie flew to his right, Arteta stroked the ball into the opposite corner, Ibrox erupted, then waited for the final whistle. Rangers 6-1 winners. Even at that point, the drama wasn’t over. There was an agonising wait for full-time at Rugby Park. An Ibrox steward broke the news to McLeish. Celtic had won 4-0. 97 points apiece. Rangers were champions on goal difference. One better off courtesy of Arteta’s late, late penalty. The 21-year-old Spaniard leapt into the arms of his victorious manager to celebrate what would be the only title win of his playing career.

Twenty-one years on, Arteta is

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