Five memorable Celtic moments, with a nod to the late Celtic Historian and Celtic Star legend David Potter, on this day starting in 1907…
ONE – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 1907 – At the third attempt, Celtic eventually dispose of Morton in the Scottish Cup before 30,000 at Parkhead. The goals come from Jimmy Hay and Jimmy McMenemy, but it is the other Jimmy – Jimmy Quinn – whom Celtic are missing. Quinn is suspended and it will be another two weeks before he will be allowed to play again.
TWO – WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 1966 – Saturday’s Scottish Cup game at Dens Park was postponed because of snow, but is played tonight in front of a large crowd of 29,000, quite a few of them with piece bags and flasks, having come straight from their work! They are rewarded by a good game. Dundee, a good side, fight well but Steve Chalmers and Joe McBride score the goals to see Celtic into the next round.
THREE – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 1974 – 48,554 enjoy a fine game of football at Easter Road, a ground on which Celtic have often turned on their best football against a team who are similarly inclined to entertaining the public. Celtic win 4-2 with Dixie Deans scoring in the first and the last minutes of the game and Kenny Dalglish and Paul Wilson scoring the others while Arthur Duncan and Jim O’Rourke score for Hibs. The General Election is to be held in the following Thursday and the various parties are canvassing for votes in Leith Walk with one lone Conservative with a blue rosette compelling reluctant admiration for his bravery.
FOUR – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 1980 – Following their fine win in the Scottish Cup on Wednesday, a larger than average crowd appears at Celtic Park for the visit of Dundee, but Celtic’s already stuttering League challenge is not helped by a feckless 2-2 draw. Murdo McLeod and George McCluskey score for Celtic but “defensive frailties” let Celtic down once again.
FIVE – SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2003 – In between the two Stuttgart games in the UEFA Cup, Celtic entertain St Johnstone (now in the First Division) in the Scottish Cup and win 3-0 with two penalties from John Hartson and a goal in open play from Jamie Smith. A poor crowd of 26,000 are there, and Martin O’Neill has made a few changes. He gets off with it this time, but he will be less successful later on in the campaign.
23rd February 2003, Celtic 3:0 St Johnstone.
Hartson(2) and Smith. @JohnHartson10 pic.twitter.com/YGzgdY10HC
— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) February 23, 2026
