29th October 1966: Celtic v Rangers LC Final – Part Two

The Morning of the Match

There was a report in one of the dailies that four representatives of Nantes – Celtic’s next opponents in the European Cup – would be watching the match at Hampden that afternoon.

There was also a little piece pointing out that Celtic had only won the League Cup on three occasions since the competition began in season 1946-47, in 1955-56, 1956-57 and 1965-66. Unfortunately, the article failed to point out that Celtic had only won the Scottish Cup too on three occasions since that particular date, in 1950-51, 1953-54 and 1964-65.

There is nothing quite like a Celtic/Rangers contest to fire up the passions of the supporters and that was the case on that particular Saturday. The fact that the encounter was also in the final of a major competition only added to the tension, which was quite evident when those of us not involved in the squad gathered at Celtic Park that morning to be bussed over to Hampden for the match.

There were fans outside the ground to see us leave in the easily-recognisable bus colours of Cotters; they were on the pavements cheering away as we headed across the city to the National Stadium; and outside Hampden, we received a good reception from our supporters as well as, perhaps naturally, a bit of abuse from the other side. This clash came only a few months after the similar meeting in the Scottish Cup Final, when I was an active participant, and as I took the atmosphere in, I realised that I was really missing not being involved.

 

rangers_fccelticThe Teams:

 

Celtic:
Simpson, Gemmell, O’Neill, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Johnstone, Lennox, McBride, Auld, Hughes     Sub: Chalmers

Rangers:
Martin, Johanson, Provan, Greig, McKinnon, D Smith, Henderson, Watson, McLean, A Smith, Johnston.  Sub: Wilson

 

 

 

 

The Play

I thought it was a strange game, where Rangers had probably the better of the play but just could not put the ball away. We, on the other hand, got one major chance and took it! That was my own recollection of the afternoon but let’s see what one of our best-known reporters made of the occasion ;-

Why did Stein men go into that shell?

‘This wasn’t the Celtic who have been showing us the attacking game. The Celtic full of confidence in themselves, spreading the ball all around the field like a farmer sowing seeds. From the moment they got the opening goal 18 minutes from the start, they were hemmed into their own quarters.

Only Lennox, the surprise packet, was left up front. This surprised a lot of folk. It surprised me. I had imagined the opening goal would have given them confidence to go out for more.

But that was reckoning without Rangers – a Light Blues side that played its best game of the season, and still lost…….

……..only in the first half did Celtic play as we know they can. Then, Johnstone had all the bounce of Roy Castle, who knows his trumpet is blowing well. McBride was playing a thoughtful game. And Lennox was moving like a streak all over the front line.

But Rangers had missed a couple of chances before this and were well in the game when it happened. A high ball was cleverly headed down by McBride to Lennox who rammed it home. A beautiful goal. Now we sat back to watch the brilliant attacking Celtic. It never happened….

…just after McLean had missed the chance of the match with 15 minutes to go when he ballooned high over the bar a neat Smith head-down, Smith himself dragged the ball past Simpson and it was cleared off the line by O’Neill….

…the second half must have felt like the referee’s watch had stopped to the Celtic fans. But, at the end, that one bit of quick thinking on the part of McBride and Lennox settled the destination of the Cup. And the losers were the side that didn’t have that bit of sharpness up front.

 

Other Results

Aberdeen  2  Hibs 1

Dundee Utd  2 Dunfermline  4

Falkirk  0  St Johnstone  3

Hearts  0  Clyde  1

Kilmarnock  1  Airdrie  0

Motherwell  0  Ayr Utd  0

Partick Thistle  0  Dundee  0

 

In that match with Clyde at Tynecastle, Willie Wallace, only six weeks away from joining Celtic, was ordered-off for a foul on the Bully Wee keeper.


 

Expensive

The ‘Madonna and Child with St John’ by 16th century artist Correggio, was stolen from the Chicago Art Institute. The painting, measuring 25 x 19 inches, was valued at about 250,000 dollars.

 

Good Donations

The Aberfan Disaster Fund yesterday went over the £160,000 mark, with donations being received from all over the world.

 

Unusual Definitions

A negro is not a negro if he comes from Africa, Washington public schools have ruled. In their annual tally of enrolment of school children by race, officials have classified negroes of American parentage as negroes but negro children of African parents are classified as white.

 

 

15th October 1966: Celtic v Airdrie League – Part Two

 

airdrieThe Opposition

Airdrie were doing well this particular season. They were sitting second in the league and would be up against Celtic twice in a few days, on this Saturday –in the league – and again on the Monday evening in the League Cup semi-final. Manager Archie Wright had put together a good squad – in spite of the players having reverted to part-time status – and they would have been fired up to face the league leaders.

 

The Teams

I was a bit disappointed when I saw the team sheet. Bobby Murdoch had dropped out and the Boss had re-shuffled things by giving Ian Young a run out at right-back, with Tam moving to left-back and Willie O’Neill in midfield. It was a sign that I had dropped down the pecking order a bit and was also a kick up the backside that I would need to get my fitness back again and push for a place.

Celtic:  Simpson, Young, Gemmell, Clark, McNeill, O’Neill, Chalmers, Lennox, McBride, Gallagher, Hughes.  Sub: Johnstone

Airdrie: McKenzie, Jonquin, Keenan, Goodwin, Black, Ramsay, Ferguson, McPheat, Marshall, Murray, Phillips.   Sub: Irvine

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15th October 1966: Celtic v Airdrie League – Part One

11th October

As the first team prepared for the first of two games in quick succession against Airdrie, first in the league at Celtic Park and then in the semi-final of the League Cup, reflections in the press were about how comfortable the win over Queen’s Park in the Glasgow Cup semi-final had been, with two-goal Joe McBride getting a special mention;-

 McBride ‘Double’ Caps it for Celtic

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 17th October 1966: Celtic v Airdrie  League Cup SF – Part Two

Pre-match

This was a difficult match for the Airdrie manager to assess, particularly in his choice of tactics. On the previous Saturday, when the teams had met in a league match at Parkhead, Archie Wright had set up his team to play a defensive set-up, trying to frustrate Celtic and hoping to catch them out with the occasional quick breakaway.

This ploy had been only partially successful, as the scoreline of 3-0 might suggest. The Diamonds did make some chances but did not take any of them and eventually, their defence was broken by the Celtic attacks. The decision for Archie on the Monday night was should he ask for a repeat of the same tactics or, considering that the match was a League Cup semi-final, should he set up his side to be more attack-minded. The Airdrie fans would like to see a more attacking style but unfortunately, such a system does leave a team more open at the back. The great difficulty for any side is balancing the two requirements. Continue reading

10th October 1966: Celtic v Queen’s Park Glasgow Cup SF – Part Two

queensparkThere were 17,000 at Celtic Park on a Monday night for this semi-final of the Glasgow Cup. The Boss had asked all the first-team pool to report for the match – we did not get fed on such a night- but in the end, he made very few changes to the side which had beaten Hibs so convincingly on the Saturday, only bringing in Ian Young at right –back and Bent Martin in goal. Charlie Gallagher also got a start.

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10th October 1966: Celtic v Queen’s Park Glasgow Cup SF – Part One

 

10th October

This match was played only two days after Celtic had thrashed Hibs in the league at Easter Road, a feat recognised in the headlines and acknowledged in the reports ;-

 

Celtic Take Clear Lead in League

 Celtic’s Superb Display

You Have to Hand it to Stein

‘This was magnificent Celtic – a Celtic obviously intent on crushing the Hibs challenge with sheer football played at tremendous speed. But, in my opinion, most of the credit for the wonder display goes to Jock Stein. 

Before the game, Jock appeared on the Easter Road pitch and prodded practically every yard of it with his feet. Then he decided it was ready-made for the type of play Joe McBride can provide and straightaway McBride, out of the team against Zurich, was back in’.

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8th October 1966: Hibs v Celtic League – Part Two

 

Morning of the Match

hibsOldCeltic Park was a busy place that morning. The first-team with the manager, coach and physio were all getting ready to leave for Edinburgh and they would have a bite for lunch somewhere on the outskirts of the capital, like the Norton Hotel just along from the airport. Their bus would have left around 11am.

Then, two hours later, another group of players arrived. This was the Combined Reserve team which had a fixture against Jordanhill College. This would normally have been played at Barrowfield but surprisingly, the match was to go ahead on the main pitch at Celtic Park. Nice one! It is always a good surface to play on.

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