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2nd September 1968 While most of us got the day off, others were involved in training for the Inter-League match on the Wednesday. And when I bought one of the evening papers, I found out a lot more about this match under quite eye-catching headlines –
9th September 1968 We got the day off and the Boss took us to East Kilbride baths, where we all cavorted about like wee kids. It was good fun and we all appreciated the day away from training, which can get a bit monotonous at times, no matter how varied and interesting the coaching staff …
Read more “11th September 1968: Celtic v Hamilton Accies – League Cup QF First Leg”
12th September 1968 The last few days before any Old Firm tie are always very tense and the ones in that week were no exception.
15th September 1968 It would have quite amusing in other circumstances but the day after a defeat in an Old Firm match was not the time. The place was my local church on Sunday morning, where I received what could only be described as a ‘going-over’. The questions were relentless.
19th September 1968 It would be fair to say that the atmosphere in the camp after the defeat to St Etienne was poor. In fact, it was very reminiscent of the mood after the disasters in South America the previous year. The management side was saying little, either to us or the press; the reporters …
Read more “21st September 1968: Dunfermline v Celtic – League”
22nd September 1968 You could always get an indication of how the team was being regarded by the fans at Mass and on that particular Sunday, it was like running a gauntlet. I was asked frequently – both before and after the service – “what’s going on?”. In fact, I was almost getting to the …
Read more “25th September 1968: Celtic v Hamilton – League Cup Quarter-Final”
26th September There was a particularly good atmosphere at training that Thursday morning. Firstly, we had achieved a good result the previous evening, which sent us through to the semi-final of the League Cup; secondly, the young lads in the team against Hamilton had shown what they could do it given the chance and were …
30th September 1968 We all reported early that morning to Celtic Park and boarded the coach which would take us to Seamill, our haven before major matches. When I say ‘all’, I am exaggerating matters; there were three players left behind. Two – Ronnie Simpson and Bobby Lennox – for treatment and also Bobby Murdoch, …
Read more “2nd October 1968: Celtic v St Etienne – European Cup 1st Round Second Leg”
3rd October 1968 The headlines after the St Etienne match were both lavish and complimentary –
7th October 1969 There was a reduced number that Monday morning at training, as a friendly match had been organised at Cowdenbeath to celebrate the new floodlighting system at the ground and quite a number of the first team squad had been selected for that game. The rest of us, though, put a decent shift …
Read more “9th October 1968: Celtic v Clyde – League Cup Semi-final”