The late, great Celtic Historian David Potter’s Celtic highlights key Celtic related events relevant to each day, today covering 15 August…
SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 1903
This is the day that the “hoops” were said to be born! Recent research, however, of The Scottish Referee makes no mention of new strips on this day, and says that August 29 v Third Lanark was the day of the new strips. It is a significant day in Scottish football however for both Aberdeen and East Fife make their debut today (East Fife wearing green and white hoops!). The weather is awful, but Celtic beat Partick Thistle 2-1 with goals from Alec Bennett and Jimmy Quinn. Barney Battles misses a penalty.
SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 1914
It is a bizarre beginning to the new season with the country at war for the past eleven days and some newspapers demanding that football should be closed down for the duration of hostilities. In this atmosphere of euphoria, jingoism and “sense of duty”, Celtic travel to Tynecastle to play Hearts. Perhaps unsettled by the strange circumstances, Celtic’s fine all-conquering side of last season, lose 0-2.
WEDNESDAY 15 AUGUST 1962
An amusing if somewhat embarrassing night at Dens Park, Dundee when Dundee, winners of last year’s Scottish League decide provocatively to unfurl their flag before the game with Celtic whose supporters successfully manage to drown out the speeches of the Lord Provost and other dignitaries. After this, the flag gets stuck and needs a good tug before it unfurls. Dundee however have the last laugh, for a Gordon Smith goal gives them a narrow victory. But the young Celtic team impress and with a little more luck and conviction in front of goal, might have won.
SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 1987
Celtic’s good start to Billy McNeill’s second spell as Celtic Manager continues with an excellent 4-1 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park with two goals from Andy Walker and one each from Mark McGhee and Billy Stark.
15th August 1987, Celtic 4:1 Motherwell.
McGhee, Walker(2) and Stark. pic.twitter.com/4I4T2XvZVV
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 14, 2023
SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 2009
Aiden McGeady scores twice and Scott McDonald once as Celtic beat Aberdeen 3-1 at Pittodrie on the opening day of the League season. It is a good beginning to Tony Mowbray’s reign as Celtic manager.
David Potter
15th August 1981, Celtic 4:1 Hibs.
Murdo and Nicholas both with doubles. @murdomacleod06 @CharNicholas10
All 5 goals were belters. pic.twitter.com/zX1MYCmi3I
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 14, 2023
15th August 1992, Celtic 2:0 Dundee Utd.
Creaney double.
Andy Payton makes his Celtic debut. @AndyPayton10 pic.twitter.com/6p5JFJxdwf
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 14, 2023
15th August 2007, Spartak Moscow 1:1 Celtic.
Hartley. pic.twitter.com/iLN4Sytiqq
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 14, 2023
15th August 2009, Aberdeen 1:3 Celtic.
McGeady double and McDonald. @ScottyMcD83 pic.twitter.com/D8yJ1v5k7o
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 14, 2023
15th August 2015, Celtic 4:2 ICT.
Lustig, Griffiths and a double from Armstrong.
Christie with a goal and assist for ICT. pic.twitter.com/MKmyoKO1Hk
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 14, 2023
15th August 2021, Celtic 3:2 Hearts.
Edouard, Welsh and Kyogo. @Oedouard22@stephen_welsh17 @Kyogo_Furuhashi pic.twitter.com/GQPUPBWtGS
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 14, 2023
Meanwhile, check out Matt Corr speaking to the one and only Martin O’Neill on The Celtic Star Podcast…
