Celtic FC – Scottish Cup Winners for the 30th time

CELTIC’S SCOTTISH CUP FINALS – Number 30…

CELTIC 1-0 AIRDRIE – HAMPDEN, 31 MAY 1995 – There are times like 1951, 1965 and 1995 when Celtic simply have to win a Scottish Cup final. This was one such day for six years of intense trophyless agony had passed since 1989.

But the club was now under new ownership and we had to believe that things were happening. The opponents were Airdrie of the First Division, described usually as “tough but talentless”, and so they proved today in this terrible game of football.

Celtic scored in the first half with a Van Hooijdonk header from a Tosh McKinlay lob, but then Van Hooijdonk went off injured, and the second half was long, tedious and extremely nerve wracking. But Celtic held out and their 30th Scottish Cup was probably their most craved.

David Potter

The Celtic team: Bonner, Vata, Boyd, McNally, McKinlay, McLaughlin, Grant, McStay, Collins, Donnelly (O’Donnell), Van Hooijdonk. Scorers: van Hooijdonk

Airdrie: Martin; Hay (McIntyre 81min), Sandison, Jack, Stewart; Harvey (T Smith 51min), Black, Boyle, Lawrence; Cooper, A Smith.

Referee: L Mottram (Forth) Attendance: 36,915

Celtic win the Scottish Cup our first senior trophy in six years, since May 1989 Scottish Cup Final. Celtic had lost the League Cup final in November 1994 v Raith Rovers (6-5 on penalties, after a 2-2 draw). That match marked Celtic’s first final for years and the first team failed.

The 1995 Scottish Cup was Paul McStay’s first trophy as captain and it was Tommy Burns’ first season as manager, lifting some silverware for Celtic. It was also the first trophy under the new board regime since the takeover in 1994.

The cup was presented to Paul McStay by the Duchess of Kent. It is a very rare occurrence for a royal to attend the Scottish Cup final. SFA criticised for using Hampden which was under ground development and only held 37,000 as opposed to Ibrox which held 47,000 at that time.

First cup medals for Vata, McKinlay, McNally, McLaughlin, Collins, Van Hooydonk and Falconer.