Five memorable Celtic moments, with a nod to the late Celtic Historian and Celtic Star legend David Potter, on this day starting on 3 December 1898…

ONE – SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 1898 – Celtic probably won’t win the Scottish League this year – such was their bad form in September – but today at Meadowside, they score eight against Partick Thistle with a hat-trick from Sandy McMahon, two from the impressive young Peter Somers, one from Willie Orr, one from John Divers and an own goal. The fans cannot complain about lack of entertainment as the final score is 8-3.

TWO – SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 1921 – On a foul day before a meagre crowd at Parkhead, the ever-reliable Joe Cassidy scores the only goal of the game as Celtic beat the strong Airdrieonians team (now managed by ex-Celt Willie Orr).

THREE – SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 1938 – Celtic and Hibs served up a marvellous game of football at Celtic Park today to cheer up 25,000 fans. The thrills were constant as the game swung to and fro, and Celtic were probably a little lucky to edge home 5-4 thanks to a late Frank Murphy goal. Earlier Jimmy Delaney and Jackie Watters had each scored two, but Hibs, even with only ten men after an injury to McLean, fought well and probably deserved a point.

FOUR – SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 1983 – Celtic attune themselves for the visit of Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night with a competent and impressive 3-0 win over St Johnstone at Muirton Park. Jim Dobbin, Jim Melrose and Roy Aitken score the goals.

FIVE – SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 1994 – It is a low point of Celtic’s history. Parkhead is demolished and being rebuilt, and Celtic play their home fixtures at Hampden. It is a week after the disastrous loss of the League Cup final to Raith Rovers, and Celtic seem able to do nothing other than draw. Wednesday night saw a weak draw at Easter Road, and today’s game against Motherwell sees another insipid feckless performance from a poor Celtic XI. They were two up thanks to an own goal and a goal from Willie Falconer, but then they managed to squander it all. The word “depression” does not quite cover it these days!

Callum McGregor scores. Motherwell 3 Celtic 4 at Fir Park on 3 December 2016. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

BONUS GAME – SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 2016 – In a remarkable match Celtic’s undefeated domestic record under Brendan Rodgers looked under real threat at the interval at Fir Park with Motherwell holding a 2-0 lead. Rodgers changed his formation to a diamond in the middle of the park and goals for McGregor, Roberts, Armstrong and Rogic gave the Hoops a 4-3 win. The Invincible season could have been derailed that December afternoon.

Stuart Armstrong scores the 3rd — Stuart Armstrong scores. Motherwell 3 Celtic 4 at Fir Park on 3 December 2016. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

3rd December 2016, Motherwell 3:4 Celtic.

McGregor, Roberts, Armstrong and Rogic. @patrick7roberts pic.twitter.com/RxGNq3WjPf

— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) December 3, 2025