Five memorable Celtic moments, with a nod to the late Celtic Historian and Celtic Star legend David Potter, on this day starting in 1899…
ONE – SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1899 – “Bad light stops play” happens a lot in cricket but rarely in football, yet on this dull, foggy day the Scottish Cup tie between Queen’s Park and Celtic has to be abandoned for this very reason with twenty minutes left. Celtic are aggrieved because they are winning 4-2 at the time with goals from Johnny Campbell, John Divers and two from Sandy McMahon.
There is a pitch invasion with the some of the 13,000 crowd demanding their money back, but the real problem is that the game kicked off too late at 3.30 pm. Celtic demand that only the remaining twenty minutes should be played next Saturday, but the SFA insist on a full game.
They do however give Celtic two illogical sweeteners – the game is to be played at Parkhead, and the cost of admission is to be drastically reduced. The game is played a week later before 35,000 fans and Celtic, with two goals from Sandy McMahon, progress to the next round.
TWO – SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1905 – The New Year’s Day game at Ibrox had to be abandoned because of repeated crowd encroachment, and the game is replayed today. Celtic play splendidly to beat Rangers 4-1 with two goals from Jimmy Quinn and two from Davie Hamilton. The Scotsman praises Celtic for “putting a dash into their work which delighted their supporters and enervated the home defence”
THREE – SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1922 – A headed goal from Joe Cassidy is enough to earn the points for Celtic at Parkhead today against Clyde. The score was only 1-0 but Celtic were well on top with “old Alec” (McNair) still the star of the show. Celtic are now three points ahead of Rangers but Rangers have a game in hand.
FOUR – SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1967 – Elgin City of the Highland League today pay a rare visit to Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup, and are, unsurprisingly, defeated 7-0. It is a great day out for their supporters and their players, some of whom are unashamed Celtic supporters, ask for autographs after the game! There is a connection between the two clubs as well, for Jimmy Delaney finished his career with Elgin City. Today Bobby Lennox scores a hat-trick, Willie Wallace two, John Hughes and Steve Chalmers one each.
FIVE – SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1989 – Following a shocker of a defeat to Motherwell last week which raised serious doubts about any possible League challenge this year, Celtic bounce back with a 4-1 win over Clydebank in the Scottish Cup today with two goals from Tommy Burns, one from Frank McAvennie and one from Billy Stark.
18th February 1989, Celtic 4:1 Clydebank.
Burns(2), Stark and McAvennie. @MaccaFrank
Tommy Burns last goals for Celtic. pic.twitter.com/0hZmZkstgA
— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) February 18, 2026
Watch This – 18th February 1939, Celtic draw 2:2 with Hearts in the Scottish Cup.
Cracking footage via @CelticGIFs
18th February 1939, Celtic draw 2:2 with Hearts in the Scottish Cup.
Cracking footage. pic.twitter.com/sml8gHCu3j
— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) February 18, 2026
Introducing The Celtic Star App and our new ad-free Premium Service...
Go ad-free on The Celtic Star, get a FREE trial period to try it out. Also download our new App – available for both Apple and Android – and get the best Celtic content on your phone without fighting through pop-up ads and being forced to watch videos.
Our new PREMIUM service comes with a free seven-day trial so you can look before you book. If you are happy to continue the price will be just 99p per month or £9.99 for the year. For that you get an AD-FREE SITE plus access to our premium content, and you’ll also help us make The Celtic Star even better and less reliant on advertising revenues, allowing us to be more focused on publishing the best Celtic features on the internet.
Click HERE to access your FREE trial. We think you’ll like it! We’re Obsessed with Celtic and we think you are too! Join us hand in hand...
