Celtic Historian David Potter each morning on The Celtic Star looks back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 12th December 1914. David’s latest bestseller The Celtic Rising ~ 1965 The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything SOLD OUT on Celtic Star Books but the good news is that it is now back in stock! You can place an order here and we’ll post same day via first class post. The Celtic Rising is also now available on Amazon Kindle, link below.
SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 1914 – Even without Jimmy McMenemy and Patsy Gallacher, Celtic are far too good for Queen’s Park at Parkhead as they beat them 5-0 with a hat-trick from Billy Crone and two from the veteran Jimmy Quinn. There are still posters around urging men to “join up” and even a few speakers outside the ground trying to tell everyone that football is “disloyal” but they are cheerfully ignored by the crowd.
SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 1959 – 13,000 in miserable weather watch a dreadful 0-0 draw against Airdrie at Celtic Park. The Chairman keeps urging supporters to be patient with the youth policy, but that is falling on deaf ears as far as the Celtic fans are concerned. Booing and the slow handclap are heard from the Jungle, but this was a little hard on the 10 man Celtic team who lost Eric Smith to injury for a long period of the game. But Celtic fans are not happy with their team who are now 12th in the League.
SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 1970 – Some people think that the hegemony of Scottish football is at last passing from Celtic but not to Rangers, to Aberdeen instead. Today, last season’s Scottish Cup winners come to Parkhead and in front of a huge crowd of 63,000 win 1-0 to put them to the top of the League. Their goal comes from Joe Harper. Celtic try hard but cannot find an equaliser.
WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 1984 – An awful night for Celtic in Manchester as they go out of the Cup Winners Cup to Rapid Vienna, the team perceived as having cheated them at Parkhead a month earlier. UEFA have ordered a replay at a ground more than 100 miles from Parkhead, and Old Trafford was chosen. An angry Celtic team lose a goal in the first half and never recover. It is a sobering and depressing night for all concerned. The hurt will stay a long time, not least because the wicked have prospered.
THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER 2002 – It is a tight call and makes for very uncomfortable viewing in front of the television screens back home, but John Hartson’s away goal is enough to see Celtic home against Celta Vigo in the Galician district of Spain. Celtic actually lose 1-2, but having won 1-0 at Parkhead, go through on away goals to put Celtic in Europe after the New Year for the first time since 1980.
20 years ago today, a John Hartson strike puts Celtic in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.
2:2 on aggregate, through on away goals against Celta Vigo. @JohnHartson10
First time in Europe after Christmas for 23 years. pic.twitter.com/Ll76exC71u
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 12, 2022
David Potter
35 years ago today, Celtic 2:2 Hearts.
Paul McStay helps Celtic come from 2 goals down to rescue a crucial point in the centenary season. pic.twitter.com/JgQdLZoRrq
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 12, 2022
30 years ago today, Celtic 1:0 Dundee.
Andy Payton with the winner. @AndyPayton10 pic.twitter.com/IeNwBh9ELn
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 12, 2022
12th December 1995, Celtic beat Manchester Utd 3:1 in Paul McStays Testimonial.
Pierre(2) and Chris Hay. @pierrevh17 pic.twitter.com/1uQV2trxSd
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 12, 2022
10 years ago today, Arbroath 0:1 Celtic.
Great strike from Adam Matthews. @Adam2Matthews pic.twitter.com/snT5At9JlT
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 12, 2022
A year ago today, Celtic 1:0 Motherwell.
Rogic. @Tom_Rogic pic.twitter.com/gNaDrP6TI3
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 12, 2022
