Thursday 28 December 2006

Some more Scottish Cup

Here's a wee batch of Scottish Cup clips, starting with the 1975 final against Airdrie. The other three clips show the run Celtic took to the 1995 Scottish Cup Final, culminating in a 1-0 win over Airdrie via games with Kilmarnock and Hibs. That victory was to give Celtic their first trophy since 1989 - something reflected in the level of celebration among fans and players at scraping a win against a mid table first Division side. As usual, click on "Read More!!" to see the embedded clips and more about the games.

Celtic 3 Airdrie 1 - 3rd May 1975, Scottish Cup Final
Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 0 - 10th March 1995, Scottish Cup QF
Celtic 3 Hibs 1 - 11th April 1995, Scottish Cup SF Replay
Celtic 1 Airdrie 0 - 27th May 1995, Scottish Cup Final



Celtic 3 Airdrie 1 - 3rd May 1975, Scottish Cup Final

Having won nine straight league titles, Celtic would eventually relinquish the crown to Rangers in season 1974-75. However, wins in both the domestic cups kept the silverware coming for Jock Stein. Mid-table Airdrie were the opponents in the Scottish Cup final. Two goals from Paul Wilson and a George McCluskey penalty gave Celtic the win.




Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 0 - 10th March 1995, Scottish Cup QF

Celtics run to the Scottish Cup final in 1994-95 had already taken them past First Division St Mirren, and Second Division Meadowbank Thistle. The Quarter Final would see them face Kilmarnock, mid-table in the Premier League. A dreary game is decided by a John Collins penalty.




Celtic 3 Hibs 1 - 11th April 1995, Scottish Cup SF Replay

Celtic would face Hibs in the semi final. The Easter Road team were on the up during season 1994-95, and would finish in third place in the League, ahead of Celtic in the race for a European place. After a 0-0 draw in the first game, Celtic came out with all guns blazing. Willie Falconer opens the scoring, with John Collins adding a second with a marvellous shot from outside the box. Keith Wright pulls one back for Hibs, but Phil O'Donnell seals the win for Celtic with a powerful header. Celtic's reward was a place in the final against first division Airdrie.




Celtic 1 Airdrie 0 - 27th May 1995, Scottish Cup Final

Celtic had gone five barren, trophyless seasons between 1989-90 and 1993-94. The 1995 Scottish Cup Final was the last chance to avoid making it six. They would take the chance. A dreadful, scrappy final was lit up by a single moment on magic from the head of Pierre Van Hooijdonk. But no one amongst the Celtic support cared how bad a game it was. There was only relief that, at long last, a trophy had been one. That is how bad things got in the early nineties.



Wednesday 27 December 2006

The 'Pity Poor United' selection

For some reason (apart from yesterday) we seem to have picked up something of a knack for inflicting misery and pain on Dundee United. Todays mix of Celtic clips features 5 such matches. We have for you one title clincher from 1980-81, one League cup semi final from 1990-91, the 1974 Scottish Cup final, the final match of the 1994-95 season in which we helped relegate the Arabs and, last but by no means least, the 1985 Scottish cup final - Davie Provan free kick and all. Click "Read more!!" below for the embedded files and more about the games.

Dundee United 2 Celtic 3 - 22nd April 1981
Celtic 2 Dundee Utd 0 25th September 1990, League Cup SF
Celtic 3 Dundee United 0 - 4th May 1974, Scottish Cup Final
Dundee Utd 0 Celtic 1 - 13th May 1995
Celtic 2 Dundee United 1 - 18th May 1985, Scottish Cup Final



Dundee United 2 Celtic 3 - 22nd April 1981

By the time Celtic travelled to Tannadice for this fixture - the third last of the season - the league was all but wrapped up. Only a single point was needed to claim the League Championship, with Aberdeen six points back in second place. Goals from Murdo MacLeod, Frank McGarvey and Tommy burns ensure the trophy comes back to Celtic Park.




Celtic 2 Dundee Utd 0 25th September 1990, League Cup Semi Final

By the time this League Cup Semi Final came around, Celtic were languishing in fifth place in the league. United, on the other hand, were in good form, unbeaten at the top of the league. Neither team would be in contention by the time May came around. But it would be Celtic who would progress to the Final. Gerry Creaney opens the scoring with a powerful header and Paul McStay grabs a second after the break. Celtic would lose the final to Rangers in extra time.




Celtic 3 Dundee United 0 - 4th May 1974, Scottish Cup Final

Season 1973-74 was something of the end of an era at Celtic. A ninth straight title was secured, but it would be followed by two Rangers championship wins. Here Celtic beat Dundee United 3-0 at Hampden Park to win the Scottish cup and complete the double. Harry Hood opens the scoring, Steve Murray makes it 2-0 and Dixie Deans scores the third. Another quadruple to match the 1966-67 season was close. But a League Cup final defeat to Dundee and a European Cup semi final loss to Athletico Madrid ended those hopes.




Dundee Utd 0 Celtic 1 - 13th May 1995

Going into this game, the final game of the 1994-95 season, Dundee Utd needed a win to have any hope of avoiding relegation from the Premier division. Celtic too needed a win, to ensure European Football the following season. It was Celtic who came out on top, thanks to a Phil O'Donnell goal with a quarter of an hour remaining.




Celtic 2 Dundee United 1 - 18th May 1985, Scottish Cup Final

The 1995 Scottish Cup Final was the 100th in the tournaments history - the Centenary final. This was Celtic's last hope of silverware for the season, but Dundee Utd took a first half lead through Stuart Beedie, and with only 14 minutes remaining it looked like we could be heading for a trophyless season. But then Archie McPherson and Davie Provan combine to provide the perfect commentary to a perfect free kick and the rest seems inevitable. It's left to Frank McGarvey to pops up in the 84th minute and grab the winner.



Enjoy.

Tuesday 26 December 2006

The Boxing day blast from the past selection

Included for your perusal (if Raymond is reading this, that means stuff you can watch) in the Boxing day selection is Paulo Di Canio and his amazing golden boots, Bobby Lennox winning a new years game against Rangers, a sublime Charlie Nicholas goal from his second spell with the club, a Tommy Coyne Hattrick at Tynecastle and Terry Butcher sticking the ball into his own net. Click on the links below to go directly to the clips or, watch them embedded by clicking the "Read more!!" link.

Aberdeen 1 Celtic 2 - 26th December 1996
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 5th January 1974
Celtic 3 Dundee United 1 28-03-92
Hearts 1 Celtic 3 - 2nd August 1989
Celtic 3 Rangers 1 - 12th November 1988



Aberdeen 1 Celtic 2 - 26th December 1996

Celtic went into this boxing day encounter from 1996 a massive 14 points behind Rangers, albeit with 3 games in hand. Celtic's hopes for a vital win suffered a setback when Billy Dodds gave Aberdeen an early lead. However, Jorge Cadete equalised shortly before Half Time with a powerful header. Then. Cometh the moment, cometh the man. Paulo Di Canio - playing in his famous Golden Boots - scores a sublime winner with just 7 minutes remaining to give the hoops all 3 points. Unfortunately there's no sound on the clip, but we don't think we need it for this one.




Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 5th January 1974

Bobby Lennox scores the only goal of the game to send Celtic into an 8 point lead at the top of the table in this clip from season 73/74. Celtic would go on and claim a ninth successive title.




Celtic 3 Dundee United 1 28-03-92

The early nineties weren't a great time to be a Celtic fan. 91-92 was in the middle of five long, frustrating trophyless seasons. There was decent football in amongst all that though (coupled with atrocious defending), and this game is a nice example. Gerry Creaney opens the scoring with a fantastic near post header. Charlie Nicholas makes it 2-0 with a Henrikesque exquisite chip from outside the box. Derek Whyte adds a third, with Duncan Ferguson pulling one back for the arabs. Unfortunately, we were already 7 points behind Rangers and would go on to finish 3rd in the league.




Hearts 1 Celtic 3 - 2nd August 1989

Rewind a couple of years to the start of those five trophyless seasons. Billy McNeil is still in charge. Celtic travel to Hearts on the first day of the season. Tommy Coyne had been signed towards the end of the previous season, but had not yet scored for his new club, something he seemed determined to fix at Tynecastle. Coyne grabs a hattrick, Rangers lose their opening fixture, and for at least a couple of weeks, we remain in complete blissful ignorance of what the next five years would bring.




Celtic 3 Rangers 1 - 12th November 1988

Going into this Old Firm encounter, Celtic were in fifth place of ten teams - seven points behind league leaders Rangers. Having been trounced 5-1 at Ibrox in the first encounter between the teams, the Champions seemed determined to make amends. And although Mark Walters opens the scoring from the penalty spot, Celtic bounce back with Terry Butcher scoring one of the finest own goals ever scored. Mark McGhee and Billy stark add a second and third, and for a short time we delude ourselves into thinking we can still win the league.




Sunday 24 December 2006

More Celtic Vs Rangers

Here's a nice little collection of Celtic clips spanning the decades. As usual, the embedded clips are inside. Click on the "Read More!!" link for these and more about the games.

Rangers 0 Celtic 1 - 20th September 1969
Rangers 0 Celtic 1 - 24th November 1976
Celtic 3 Rangers 1 - 21st February 1981
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 25th February 1990 Scottish Cup 4th Round
Celtic 2 Rangers 0 - 6th March 1997, Scottish Cup Quarter Final


Rangers 0 Celtic 1 - 20th September 1969

This Scottish League game from 1969 has Celtic running out 1-0 winners at Ibrox. The only goal of the game is scored by Harry Hood. There are shades of Lubo in the way he turned the defender before scoring.




Rangers 0 Celtic 1 - 24th November 1976

Another league victory for the Hoops at Ibrox and another 1-0 scoreline. This time the winning goal comes from Joe Craig, and what a goal it is!




Celtic 3 Rangers 1 - 21st February 1981

Into the early 80's now, and we have Celtic beating Rangers 3-1 in another Scottish League match from February 1981. Two goals from Charlie Nicholas and one from Roy Aitken give Celtic the win. Feed the bear!




Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 25th February 1990 Scottish Cup 4th Round

Jumping forward almost a decade, we have this Scottish Cup 4th Round game from season 1989-90. Tommy Coyne scores the only goal of the game, and is kicked into the back of the net by John Brown as his reward for sending the Hoops on there way towards Hampden. Unfortunately we'd lost the final on penalties to Aberdeen.




Celtic 2 Rangers 0 - 6th March 1997, Scottish Cup Quarter Final

Going into this game at Celtic Park, Tommy Burns Celtic were on a dismal run against their Old Firm rivals. It had been nine games since Celtic had last beaten Rangers - almost two years worth of football. Goals from Malky MacKay and Paulo Di Canio give Celtic the win, but defeat to first division Falkirk (after a replay) in the semi final would put the final nail in the coffin for Burns. Any hope that this game would stop the Old Firm rot were quickly blown out of the water. Celtic would lose the more important league match 10 days later, and win only 2 of the following 15 matches against Rangers until Martin O'Neil's teams reminded us how to beat Rangers.



Hope these bring back some good memories.

Saturday 23 December 2006

Celtic 7 Rangers 1, League Cup Final 1957

This game deserves a post all on its own. There's only about 40 seconds of footage, but it's worth seeing. Click "Read More!!" for a bit more information on the game and the embedded clip.

Celtic 7 Rangers 1


Celtic 7 Rangers 1 - 19th October 1957, League Cup Final

Oh Hampden in the sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1...Celtic thrash Rangers 7-1 in the 1957 League Cup Final. Sammy Wilson opens the scoring, before Neil Mochan made it 2-0 to the Hoops at Half Time. Bobby McPhail scored Celtic's 3rd, before Simpson pulled one back for Rangers. McPhail added his 2nd and Celtic's 4th goal before Mochan grabbed another to make it 5-1. McPhail completed his hat-trick before Willie Fernie made it 7-1 to Celtic from the penalty spot.



Enjoy!

Old Firm League Cup games

Following on from the Scottish Cup matches, here is a selection of League Cup ties played against Rangers. Games included are

Celtic 2 Rangers 1 - 23rd October 1965, Final
Celtic 3 Rangers 1 - 30th August 1967
Rangers 0 Celtic 2 - 10th August 1968
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 24th August 1968
Celtic 2 Rangers 1 - 4th December 1982, Final


Celtic 2 Rangers 1 - 23rd October 1965, League Cup Final

Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 at Hampden Park in the 1965 League Cup final. Two goals from John Hughes, both from the penalty spot, send the cup to back to Celtic Park.



Celtic 3 Rangers 1 - 30th August 1967, League Cup

A league cup group tie from season 1967-68. Willie Henderson gives Rangers the lead in the first half. Rangers miss a penalty, before goals from Willie Wallace, Bobby Murdoch and Bobby Lennox in the last 12 minutes give Celtic the win.




Rangers 0 Celtic 2 - 10th August 1968, League Cup

Celtic beat Rangers 2-0 in a League Cup group match in August 1968. Both Celtic goals are scored by Willie Wallace.




Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 24th August 1968, League Cup

A fortnight later, the same teams met, this time at Celtic Park. The only goal of the game is again scored by Willie Wallace. Celtic would go on an lift the trophy.




Celtic 2 Rangers 1 - 4th December 1982, League Cup Final

The 1982 League Cup Final. Goals from Charlie Nicholas and Murdo MacLeod give Celtic the win. Danny McGrain lifts the cup for the Hoops.



Old Firm Scottish Cup Finals

Here's a wee collection of Scottish Cup finals against Rangers, spanning the decades. Clips included are

Celtic 4 Rangers 0 - 26th April 1969
Celtic 2 Rangers 1 - 12th May 1971
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 7th May 1977
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 10th May 1980
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 20th May 1989

Click on the "Read More!!!" Link below for more about each game, and the embedded clips.



Celtic 4 Rangers 0 - 26th April 1969, Scottish Cup Final

Celtic trounce Rangers 4-0 in the 1968-69 Scottish Cup Final. Goals from Billy McNeill, Bobby Lennox, George Connelly and Stevie Chalmers give Celtic the win.




Celtic 2 Rangers 1 - 12th May 1971 Scottish Cup Final Replay

Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 at Hampden Park to lift the 1970-71 Scottish Cup. The first match had finished 1-1, and the game went to this replay. Celtic take the lead through Lou Macari, before Harry Hood scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. Jim Craig puts the ball into his own net to give Rangers hope, but the Hoops see out the 90 minutes for the win.




Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 7th May 1977, Scottish Cup Final

Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 in the 1976-77 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park. Andy Lynch scores the only goal of the game from the penalty spot




Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 10th May 1980, Scottish Cup Final

Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 in the 1979-80 Scottish Cup Final. With the scoreline 0-0 after 90 minutes, the game goes to extra time where George McCluskey grabs the winning goal.




Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 20th May 1989, Scottish Cup Final

Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 at Hampden to win the 1988-89 Scottish Cup Final. Joe Miller scores the only goal of the game.



Thursday 21 December 2006

Centenary Season Special - Part 3

This last little batch of Centenary season clips shows how the league and cup were sealed - both in an incredible manner. Those who remember the events of the 1987-88 season will never forget it. For younger readers, think of it as a season long 6-2 game. There was something truly special about that one season, and the players made it one that will never be forgotten. Onto the clips, which are...

Hibs 0 Celtic 2 - 2nd April 1988
Celtic 2 Hearts 1 - 9th April 1988 Scottish Cup SF
Celtic 3 Dundee 0 - 23rd April 1988
Celtic 2 Dundee United 1 - 1987-88 Scottish Cup Final




Hibs 0 Celtic 2 - 2nd April 1988

Celtic travelled to Easter Road with a seven point lead over Rangers. By the end of the day it would be nine - courtesy of goals from Peter Grant and Andy Walker, and a Hearts victory at Ibrox that would push the Tynecastle club up into second place. This result left the Hoops just a couple of wins away from the title.




Celtic 2 Hearts 1 - 9th April 1988 - Scottish Cup Semi Final

Ask any Celtic fan who was around at the time of their abiding memories of the Centenary Season and the chances are this game will feature highly. Picture the scene. Scottish Cup Semi final against a Hearts team that were second place in the league and we had struggled to beat all season. Brian Whittaker puts the Jambos ahead and, with only 3 minutes remaining, Celtic's dream of a league and cup double looks to be dead in the water. The rest, as the cliche goes, is history.




Celtic 3 Dundee 0 - 23rd April 1988

Or the day we won the league. Having blown the chance to win the title at Tynecastle the previous week, the Celtic players were determined to clinch the league championship in front of there home fans. The official crowd for the match was around 60,000 but in truth there was probably nearer 80,000 crammed on the terracing that day. Goals from Chris Morris and an Andy Walker brace helped take the roof off the stadium and the Celtic fans threw in a pitch invasion as well.




Celtic 2 Dundee United 1 - 1987-88 Scottish Cup Final

Another of those games that will feature highly on any list of the most memorable Celtic games. And not just because it was a cup final. Like so many games from 87-88, this game was won at the death by a team that didn't know when to stop running. Kevin Gallacher put United ahead early in the second half. A late Frank McAvennie double gave Celtic the cup, and the double. The clip includes after match interviews with Billy McNeil, Frank McAvennie. It also shows the cup presentation. Listen to the noise! What a day that was.



Centenary Season Special - Part 2

More action from the Centenary season of 1987-88. Again, click on the "Read More" link at the bottom for more about the games.

Celtic 2 Hearts 2 - 12th December 1987
Celtic 2 Rangers 0 - 2nd January 1988
Hibs 0 Celtic 1 - 24th February 1988, Scottish Cup 4th Round Replay
Celtic 2 Falkirk 0 5th March 1988
Partick Thistle 0 Celtic 3 - 12th March 1988, Scottish Cup Quarter Final



Celtic 2 Hearts 2 - 12th December 1987

Hearts came to Celtic Park just a single point behind League leaders Celtic. A first half goal from John Robertson gave the Tynecastle men the lead. This was doubled with only 12 minutes remaining through future Celt Mike Galloway. With only 8 minutes left on the clock Andy Walker pulled one back from the Penalty spot (albeit a rather dubious penalty) and with just seconds remaining, Paul McStay fired in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box to give Celtic a share of the points.




Celtic 2 Rangers 0 - 2nd January 1988

By the time Rangers came-a-first-footing on January 2nd, the Ibrox club were 5 points behind their Old Firm rivals, with one game in hand. Celtic had a chance to put some clear water between them and Rangers, and it was a chance they took. A Frank McAvennie double gave Celtic all three points - the first a beautiful sweeping move brilliantly created by Paul McStay's defence splitting pass; the second, a powerful header past a despairing Graham Roberts, who finished his second succesive Glasgow Derby as a makeshift Goalkeeping replacement for Chris Woods, who had been taken off injured earlier in the game.




Hibs 0 Celtic 1 - 24th February 1988 Scottish Cup 4th Round Replay

After a goalless draw the previous Saturday, Celtic travelled to Easter Road for this cup replay. A Billy Stark header was enough to seperate the sides - a typical Stark goal, ghosting into the box and latching onto a rebound.




Celtic 2 Falkirk 0 5th March 1988

By the time these two sides met, Celtic had a comfortable six point lead over Rangers in the league (two points for a win back then, for all you youngsters reading!). Celtic saw out a fairly comfortable victory, thanks to goals from Andy Walker and Mark McGhee. The game is most notable for the ordering off of Mick McCarthy, for landing a right hook on Falkirks Hen Broon impressionist Crawford Baptie. No, that isn't a made up name.




Partick Thistle 0 Celtic 3 - 12th March 1988 Scottish Cup QF

A trip to sunny Firhill for Celtic in the Cup. Partick Thistle were First division relegation candidates in 87-88, but gave Celtic a sterner test than most expected. In the end, Celtic ran out 3-0 winner through goals from Andy Walker, Tommy Burns and Billy Stark, with all three goals being created by Frank McAvennie. Burns goal, in particular, was a belter!



Welcome to Celtic Clips - Centenary Season special

Let's kick this off with a bang. Or a Beast. One of the two. For the first Celtic Clips post, we present to you a Centenary season special. For more information about each game, click on on the "read more" link below.

Celtic 4 Motherwell 1 - 15th August 1987
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 29th August 1987
Celtic 2 Aberdeen 2 - 19th September 1987
Rangers 2 Celtic 2 - 17th October 1987
Aberdeen 0 Celtic 1 - 31st October 1987


We have 5 games from the Centenary season to kick off with.

Celtic 4 Motherwell 1 - 15th August 1987

First up is this encounter with Motherwell, three games into the new season. Celtic's Andy Walker was up against his old club for the first time since his £350,000 switch to the East End of Glasgow, and he was to make his previous employer's suffer. Walker grabbed a double, with Mark McGhee and Billy Stark also on the scoresheet. The game left Celtic on a maximum nine points from three games. No audio on the clip, and Motherwell's goal is also missing.





Celtic 1 Rangers 0 - 29th August 1987

The first Old Firm game of the season took place at Celtic Park. Celtic had lost the previous week at Dunfermline after winning their first three games. The game was a big test for Billy McNeils rebuilt side, and it was one of the new boys who would score the decisive goal after only 4 minutes - Billy Stark. The game is best remembered for the sending off of Rangers player manager Graeme Souness for an atrocious challenge on the one-booted Billy Stark.




Celtic 2 Aberdeen 2 - 19th September 1987

Celtic entertained Aberdeen at Celtic Park. Goals from Tommy Burns and Billy Stark were cancelled out, with future Celt Joe Miller scoring the second equaliser. Miller would be a Celtic player within two months. The first Aberdeen goal is missing from the clip, and the order of the goals may be wrong. Can anyone confirm the scoring?




Rangers 2 Celtic 2 - 17th October 1987

After beating Rangers in the first Old Firm game of the season, Celtic would hit a bit of a lean patch, drawing four of their next seven matches before this encounter at Ibrox. The game became notorious due to a bust up between Frank McAvennie, Chris Woods and Terry Butcher, with all three being sent off. The incident would eventually end up in court, with McAvennie being cleared of any wrongdoing. Celtics goals came from Andy Walker and Peter Grant. The clip contains only these two goals, but does include Peter Grant doing an Artur Boruc 20 years too early.




Aberdeen 0 Celtic 1 - 31st October 1987

Back in 1987 Pittodrie was a tough place to go. This short clip shows Frank McAvennie stealing a goal, and with it, all three points.



Hope you enjoy.