16th December – Five Memorable Celtic Moments on this Day

Five memorable Celtic moments, with a nod to the late Celtic Historian and Celtic Star legend David Potter, on this day starting on 16 December 1893…

Joe Cassidy scores four goals

ONE – SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 1893 – Only 1,500 attend in vile weather to see Celtic beat Albion Rovers 7-0 in the Scottish Cup. Joe Cassidy scores four, Johnny Madden two and Jimmy Blessington one in a very one-sided game, made more so when an Albion Rovers player is carried off with a broken leg within the first ten minutes.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend
Patsy Gallacher – “easily the most useful and outstanding forward of them all”

TWO – SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 1922 – Form has been inconsistent of late, but today at least in the midwinter Edinburgh gloom sees a fine Celtic performance as they travel to Tynecastle to beat Hearts 3-0 with goals from Adam McLean, “Jean” McFarlane and Pasty Gallacher. Patsy Gallacher was “easily the most useful and outstanding forward of them all” according to The Sunday Post.

Joe McLaughlin scores twice

THREE – SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 1944 – Celtic’s form is fast improving, and today at Celtic Park, 10,000 fans are thoroughly entertained in a 5-3 victory over Hamilton Accies. Joe McLaughlin scores twice and the others are scored by John Divers, Jimmy Delaney and Jackie Gallacher. The crowd as usual contains a fair smattering of men in uniform, and quite a few curious American servicemen curious to know what the Scottish game of football is all about.

John Hughes and John Divers

FOUR – SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 1961 – 28,000 see and enjoy a great game of football at Parkhead as Celtic confirm their title credentials with a 4-3 win over Hibs to whom they were twice behind. A draw might have been a fair result until John Divers scores the winner with a diving header to finish off a John Hughes cross. This completes Divers’ hat-trick, with John Hughes scoring the other goal. In Hibs goal, Ronnie Simpson does well to prevent Hughes in particular scoring more goals.

FIVE – SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2000 – Henrik Larsson bags a brilliant hat-trick, Ramon Vega scores two and Jamie Smith notches the other one as poor Aberdeen are hammered 6-0 before a virtually capacity crowd of 59,677 at Celtic Park. Celtic supporters are now beginning to realise that Martin O’Neill is creating a really special team for the fans to appreciate.

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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