The Afternoon of the Match We – and I include myself in this, as I was one of the squad – all reported to Celtic Park in the afternoon for a loosening-up session. We then headed for the Cathkin Hotel for the pre-match meal. It must have been a big match (QF of League Cup); …
Read more “14th September 1966: Celtic v Dunfermline Athletic League Cup – Part Two”
15th September 1966 Two days prior to the match, there were the usual warnings in the press about fan behaviour etc. Both clubs, the Scottish Football League, the police and politicians all had their say. As a result of previous meetings between the various parties, it had been agreed that the contest would be an …
Read more “17th September 1966: Celtic v Rangers League – Part One”
The Morning of the Match In the football world, it must be hard to come up with a fixture that can surpass a Celtic/Rangers encounter for tension, anticipation or excitement. Granted, the atmosphere can ‘occasionally’ be spoiled by a little sectarianism but, to be blunt, old habits die hard and even in this so-called ‘enlightened’ …
Read more “17th September 1966: Celtic v Rangers League – Part Two”
19th September Even two days after the Celtic v Rangers encounter, the papers were still going on about how well Celtic had played;- Will-O’-The-Wisps in Green
Pre-match I was not in the travelling party which made the journey over to East End Park, so I have no idea where they stopped for the pre-match meal. However, I do know the boys would have been in good humour as they were 6-3 up from the first leg and would have been …
Read more “21st September 1966: Dunfermline v Celtic League Cup – Part Two”
22nd September The quarter-final ties for both Old Firm clubs had left some damage, reflected in the headlines ; – Old Firm Blow Five injured at Ibrox John Clark Doubtful for Celts ‘The five injured for Rangers in the match against Ayr were Willie Henderson (hip), Jimmy Millar (ankle), Willie Johnston (calf), Alec Smith …
Read more “24th September 1966: Dundee v Celtic League – Part One”
Morning of the Match I had not been involved in the Reserve team the night before against Dundee but I was intending to play in the Combined Reserve team match that afternoon. The Boss and I had discussed my position, where I was studying for my finals – coming up in the first weeks of …
Read more “24th September 1966: Dundee v Celtic League – Part Two”
26th September On Monday morning, the outline of the Dundee match was laid out on the back pages in three simple headlines and told us all we needed to know about the way the match unfolded ;-
Pre-Match Swiss football was not regarded too highly by most Celtic fans, although a glance at the side which they put out showed that it would contain 2 Germans, 1 Italian and 7 Swiss internationals. And they were also managed by a very well-known name in Laszlo Kubala.
29th September There was good news and bad news for Celtic in the morning papers. The not-so-good news was summed up by this headline;- Murdoch – Report Goes to FIFA Why a simple booking should be surrounded by a considerable amount of fuss was beyond the comprehension of most fans? Presumably the two …
Read more “1st October 1966: Celtic v St Johnstone League – Part One”