It was the goal that smashed a 27-year hoodoo. And Motherwell‘s Dan Casey says he’ll treasure it for the rest of his life.
The big Irish defender wasn’t fully aware of the history behind his strike at Ibrox back in March to defeat Rangers in the Premiership. It was the first time Motherwell had won in Govan on league duty for almost three decades. And it gave Stuart Kettlewell’s side an injection of belief at the end of last season.
On Sunday the Steelmen will try to do the same again – only this time at Hampden. Seven months ago, Casey’s goal put a huge dent in Rangers’ title hopes as it sealed a seismic 2-1 victory. This afternoon, Motherwell will set out to end Philippe Clement’s bid to retain the Premier Sports Cup. Casey – a boyhood Celtic fan who hails from Dublin – has revealed he was the toast of Ireland when he bagged his Ibrox winner.
Ahead of the crunch semi-final, the 26-year-old said: “That was a feeling I’ll never forget. It was simply amazing. Getting a result at Ibrox is hard to come by so to get the winning goal was the stuff of dreams. When it happened, I wasn’t really aware of the magnitude of the result. But it was a great moment and it kicked us on for the rest of last season. We went on a good run after that.
“Those things can spark momentum and hopefully we can get a result again in the cup. I got a few messages from back home that day. I have a lot of friends and family who are Celtic fans so they were happy with me.
“I went back home and was given a hero’s welcome in a few places. Listen, that’s nice. Growing up I was a Celtic fan as well so it was a bit sweeter. I’m a Motherwell player and I wanted to do it for us, first and foremost. But those little bonuses do help. It was a great occasion but it’s forgotten about for now, it’s in the past. Maybe when I retire I’ll look back on it. We’ve got bigger games to play now.”
Casey is no stranger to pulling off cup shocks after his experience in America with second-tier surprise package Sacramento Republic. In 2022 he was at the heart of their defence as they defeated MLS clubs San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City en route to the US Open Cup Final.
Casey said: “I went on a run in America. We were playing in the league below the MLS (USL Championship) and we got to what is like the Scottish Cup Final here. We beat a lot of MLS teams which was a great experience because the differences in the budgets were night and day. We played against Sporting Kansas City in the semi-final and ended up winning on penalties.
“We were next-level underdogs for that game. So it was brilliant to win, those are memories that will stick with me. The final didn’t go our way (a 3-0 defeat to Orlando City) which has left me with a bit of a personal ambition to go the whole distance and get my hands on some silverware.
“I’ve also had runs back home in Ireland. I just love playing in cup ties because there are only so many chances you get to win a trophy in your career.”
Casey would love to reach another final in December but Well will have to see off Rangers in Glasgow first. They’ve already lost to Clement’s men at Hampden this season in the Premiership, a 2-1 defeat back in August. But the centre-back believes if they replicate the approach they had in that victory at Ibrox last term, the Steelmen can upset the odds.
And he’d love to do it in front of his Irish friends and family in the stands. Even if only HALF of them made it over as Casey’s sister Holly is in a Gaelic football cup final kicking off at the same time!
The stopper said: “We wanted to be on the front foot against them in March. Ibrox is a hard place to go but we decided to just give it a go and get after them. Playing against Celtic or Rangers, a lot of teams sit off and fear them. But the best way to go is toe-to-toe and see where you are at the end.
“Hopefully we can do the same now. It’s going to be a challenge and it’s a semi-final at Hampden so it’s different. But we’ll give it a go.
“I have family coming over for the game on Sunday. But they’re quite sporty and my little sister is playing in a final in Dublin. She plays for a local team, Cuala, and she’s a very good player. Had I not been playing at Hampden I’d have been there. So half of my family will be in Dublin watching her and half will come to watch me.
“Hopefully we can get two wins on the day! Another winning goal? That would be nice but it’s not as easy as that. If we win I don’t care who scores.”