The late Celtic Historian David Potter began a new diary on The Celtic Star on this day in 2022 and this ran on the site every day until the end of May 2023, essentially covering an entire season. This morning we repeat this with a heavy heart but out of respect to our great friend and colleague who passed away on Sunday morning…
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 1914
Today in sweltering weather with thunder threatening at the Rangers Sports at Ibrox, Celtic’s five-a-side of Dodds, Gray, McColl, Browning and McAtee beat Third Lanark 3-1. It was a good day, but the international situation was causing a little concern as Russia and Germany were now squaring up to each other with the real fear that Great Britain might yet be drawn in as well.
SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST 1987
In a dreadful pre-season friendly, Celtic went down 1-5 to Arsenal at Celtic Park. It was Billy McNeill’s first game in his second spell as Manager. Charlie Nicholas was playing for Arsenal, and “the Pope would have had a better reception at Ibrox”. Perhaps aware of the atmosphere, he did not come back after half-time. None of this however hid the simple truth that this was a dreadful Celtic performance from a team with no self-belief.
SATURDAY 1st AUGUST 1992
Celtic begin this season with a 1-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle thanks to a late own goal from Craig Levein. Possibly this season (Liam Brady’s second) might not be all that bad after all? But there are serious problem with finance, and more importantly, a lack of confidence as far as Rangers are concerned with the Ibrox side clearly winning the propaganda battle.
SUNDAY 1st AUGUST 1999
John Barnes’ reign as Celtic manager begins well with a 5-0 win at Pittodrie over a poor Aberdeen side with two goals each from Henrik Larsson and Mark Viduka and one from Mark Burchill.
SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST 2015
Following the unveiling of the flag by Lisbon Lion John Clark, Celtic beat Ross County 2-0 with goals from Leigh Griffiths (penalty) and Stefan Johansen. It is a starting debut for Kieran Tierney, but arguments in favour of summer football rather fail when the heavens open just as we are on our way back to the buses!
David Potter
