Celtic On This Day – 18th February – David Potter’s Celtic Diary

The late, great Celtic Historian David Potter’s Celtic Diary each morning on The Celtic Star looks back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 18th February 1899…

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1899 – “Bad light stops play” happens a lot in cricket but rarely in football, yet on this dull, foggy day the Scottish Cup tie between Queen’s Park and Celtic has to be abandoned for this very reason with twenty minutes left. Celtic are aggrieved because they are winning 4-2 at the time with goals from Johnny Campbell, John Divers and two from Sandy McMahon. There is a pitch invasion with the some of the 13,000 crowd demanding their money back, but the real problem is that the game kicked off too late at 3.30 pm. Celtic demand that only the remaining twenty minutes should be played next Saturday, but the SFA insist on a full game. They do however give Celtic two illogical sweeteners – the game is to be played at Parkhead, and the cost of admission is to be drastically reduced. The game is played a week later before 35,000 fans and Celtic, with two goals from Sandy McMahon, progress to the next round.

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1905 – The New Year’s Day game at Ibrox had to be abandoned because of repeated crowd encroachment, and the game is replayed today. Celtic play splendidly to beat Rangers 4-1 with two goals from Jimmy Quinn and two from Davie Hamilton. The Scotsman praises Celtic for “putting a dash into their work which delighted their supporters and enervated the home defence”

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1922 – A headed goal from Joe Cassidy is enough to earn the points for Celtic at Parkhead today against Clyde. The score was only 1-0 but Celtic were well on top with “old Alec” (McNair) still the star of the show. Celtic are now three points ahead of Rangers but Rangers have a game in hand.

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1967 – Elgin City of the Highland League today pay a rare visit to Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup, and are, unsurprisingly, defeated 7-0. It is a great day out for their supporters and their players, some of whom are unashamed Celtic supporters, ask for autographs after the game! There is a connection between the two clubs as well, for Jimmy Delaney finished his career with Elgin City. Today Bobby Lennox scores a hat-trick, Willie Wallace two, John Hughes and Steve Chalmers one each.

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1989 – Following a shocker of a defeat to Motherwell last week which raised serious doubts about any possible League challenge this year, Celtic bounce back with a 4-1 win over Clydebank in the Scottish Cup today with two goals from Tommy Burns, one from Frank McAvennie and one from Billy Stark.

18th February 1989, Celtic 4:1 Clydebank.

Burns(2), Stark and McAvennie. @MaccaFrank

Tommy Burns last goals for Celtic. pic.twitter.com/w6KU0w00aH

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) February 18, 2024

David Potter

18th February 1939, Celtic draw 2:2 with Hearts in the Scottish Cup.

Cracking footage. pic.twitter.com/ZnUhdqfzcB

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) February 18, 2024