The late, great Celtic Historian David Potter’s Celtic Diary looks back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 11th December 1897…
SATURDAY 11th DECEMBER 1897 – Celtic’s improvement throughout 1897 since the nadir of the Arthurlie defeat in January has been marked, and today they record a fine 6-3 victory over Partick Thistle at Meadowside with two goals from Peter Somers, two from George Allan and one each from Davie Russell and Johnny Campbell. It was a very entertaining game, and Celtic remain top of the League.
Jimmy McGrory
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 1926 – A good win today for Celtic over St Johnstone at Celtic Park with two goals from Jimmy McGrory, one from Paddy Connolly and one from Alec Thomson. Celtic were all the better for their “brace-up” at Seamill in the middle of the week.
Willie Fernie
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 1954 – Celtic surprised quite a few people including, one feels, themselves with a 5-0 win over Hibs at Easter Road. This followed several indifferent games, but it immediately resurrected Celtic’s Championship challenge with two goals from Willie Fernie, two from Jimmy Walsh and one from Johnny Higgins. Hibs are a side clearly past their best, but still considered one of the better teams in the League.
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 1965 – Celtic’s good form continues as strong-going Hibs are beaten 2-0 at Parkhead on a cold day with a hard pitch. The goals are scored by John Hughes and Joe McBride. Manager Jock Stein is given a particularly warm welcome from the crowd for his decision to resign from the Scotland job following the defeat by Italy in midweek.
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 1999 – Celtic have played Aberdeen three times this season and the aggregate score is now 18 – 0! Today with almost embarrassing ease, Celtic beat Aberdeen 6-0 at Pittodrie with all the goals coming from six separate players viz. Regi Blinker, Mark Viduka, Ian Wright, Stefan Mahe, Lubo Moravcik and Paul Lambert.
David Potter