Month 3, Day 12 of Celtic Historian David Potter’s new diary on The Celtic Star which will run throughout the new season and will highlight key Celtic-related events relevant to each day, today covering 12th October…
SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 1895
On a windy day at Barrowfield Park, Celtic beat Clyde 5-1. It is a good result for the green and white vertical stripes and adds to the conviction of their supporters that this may well be the season for the return of the Scottish League to Celtic Park after last season’s disappointment. Allan Martin scores twice and the other goals come from Jimmy Blessington, Johnny Madden and Sandy McMahon.
SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 1907
In spite of being twice in the lead from goals by Alec Bennett and Jimmy Quinn, Celtic could only draw their Glasgow Cup final against Rangers 2-2 in front of an astonishing crowd of 82,000 at Hampden in brilliant autumnal sunshine. Both teams might have won near the end with Alec McNair heading clear and Jimmy Quinn missing a chance in the last minute. Celtic’s best player was Sunny Jim Young.
SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 1940
John Conway, who Celtic signed from Glencraig Juniors in 1940.He was an inside-right & is pictured winning a header against Hamilton on the opening day of 1940/41 season (2-2 draw)
Hopes that the Glasgow Cup triumph might transfer to a good League campaign seem to be unfounded as Celtic struggle to a dismal 2-2 draw with Falkirk the Celtic goals coming from Johnny Crum and John Conway. The war is settling down with the Battle of Britain apparently over, but more and more air raids over London.
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 1959
A large crowd comes to Parkhead to see the hanselling of the floodlights in a game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Unfortunately Celtic lose 0-2 to the talented side of Stan Cullis, but everyone is duly impressed by the brilliance of the new Parkhead floodlights whose pylons, reputed to be among the highest in the world, will now become one of the landmarks of the East End of Glasgow for the next 35 years. “But what about a good team now to go with the super floodlights?” asks The Evening Times.
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 1970
Without really impressing anyone, Celtic reach their seventh consecutive Scottish League Cup final. They do so by beating Dumbarton 4-3 after extra time in a replay after a dreadful first game. Tonight all the honour belongs to the part-time Second Division men from Boghead for whom ex-Celt Charlie Gallagher and ex-Ranger Davie Wilson are outstanding. Celtic’s goals are scored by Bobby Lennox (two), Willie Wallace and Lou Macari, but the predominant emotion is one of relief. It is part of a disturbing trend for Celtic to underestimate apparently inferior opposition.
David Potter
