Six memorable Celtic moments, with a nod to the late Celtic Historian and Celtic Star legend David Potter, on this day starting in 1904…
Jimmy McMenemy scored twice
ONE – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 1904 – At the third attempt, Celtic finally dispose of Dundee in the Scottish Cup Quarter Final, this time by an impressive 5-0 score line before 35,000 delighted fans at Celtic Park. Jimmy McMenemy scores twice, and Jimmy Quinn, Alec Bennett and Bobby Muir one each, but it is Maley’s new half back line of Young, Loney and Hay that looks particularly formidable.
Celtic’s Tommy McInally’s shot hits the underside of the bar
TWO – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 1921 – Tommy McInally’s shot hits the underside of the bar in the last minute of the Scottish Cup quarter-final just a few minutes after Hearts have gone ahead before a crowd of 40,000 at Parkhead, and thus Celtic exit 1-2 to Hearts. Earlier Patsy Gallacher had scored Celtic’s goal, and the general feeling is that Celtic are very unlucky, having played some brilliant football in the pouring rain.
Malky MacDonald scored
THREE – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 1938 – 39,389 see Celtic disappoint their fans by going out of the Scottish Cup 1-2 to Kilmarnock at Parkhead. Kilmarnock’s manager, Jimmy McGrory, is shunned by his erstwhile boss Willie Maley in an ungracious piece of bad sportsmanship. The good Celtic team of this year simply have a bad day today with Malky MacDonald scoring Celtic’s only goal.
Hearts score to make it 3-3
5th March 1966, Hearts 3:3 Celtic.
Bertie Auld, Joe McBride and Stevie Chalmers. pic.twitter.com/MymkYyJD0v
— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) March 5, 2026
FOUR – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 1966 – A thrilling cup-tie at Tynecastle is marred by gross overcrowding at the Gorgie Road end of the ground, but once order is restored, the crowd see a great game with Celtic, twice behind, coming back to lead 3-2 before Hearts equalise in the closing stages. Celtic’s goals are scored by Bertie Auld, Joe McBride and Steve Chalmers.
5th March 1980, Celtic beat Real Madrid 2:0 in the first leg of the European Cup Quarter-Finals.
George McCluskey and Johnny Doyle with the goals. pic.twitter.com/ln9ZR0pleT
— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) March 5, 2026
Johnny Doyle, Celtic v Real Madrid 5 March 1980. Photo The Celtic Wiki
FIVE – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 1980 – Celtic face Real Madrid at Celtic Park in the quarter final of the European Cup at a packed Celtic Park where the crowd was given at 67,000 but that’s almost certainly an underestimate. Goals by George McCluskey and Johnny Doyle gave Celtic tremendous encouragement for the return leg at the Bernabeu, another harshly disallowed effort from McCluskey would have given Celtic an even better advantage after a magnificent performance from both the team and the Celtic support.
SIX – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 2000 – Celtic’s woeful season continues with an awful 1-2 defeat at Easter Road. Kenny Dalglish is now in interim charge following the Inverness disaster of last month, but he has not yet been able to engender anything like the spirit that Celtic teams demand. Celtic’s goal is scored by Mark Viduka, a man not without talent, but blamed by supporters for the club’s current woes.
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
