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Celtic On This Day – 21st May – David Potter’s Celtic Diary

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Celtic Historian David Potter each morning on The Celtic Star looks back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 21st May 1892. David’s latest bestseller The Celtic Rising ~ 1965: The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything is available now in print on Celtic Star Books.

Neil McCallum – Celtic’s first goalscorer scored twice

SATURDAY 21st MAY 1892 – Although not technically a Glasgow team, League Champions Dumbarton are allowed to take part in the Glasgow Charity Cup. Today however at Ibrox, they meet their match as Celtic beat them 3-1 in the semi-final before 10,000 fans. The Sons of the Rock are ahead at half-time, but Sandy McMahon equalises and then Johnny Campbell sends over two lovely corners which find the head of Neil McCallum.

Jimmy “Napoleon” McMenemy scored

THURSDAY 21st MAY 1914 – A rough and unpleasant game played in Budapest between the Cup holders of Scotland and England, Celtic and Burnley, resulted in a 1-1 draw. Both goals were scored from penalty kicks, Celtic’s being scored by Jimmy McMenemy. The fact that a Cup was to be awarded to the winners, that there was the traditional Scotland v England rivalry and that a few personal vendettas were still around from previous encounters in Internationals and inter-League games meant that this was anything but a “friendly” game.

Colin Jackson’s own goal, The Celtic Star Editor was in the Jungle in the area covered by the goal nets so got a great view! Murdo’s screamer was still to come – what a night that was!

MONDAY 21st MAY 1979 – This is the night that “ten men won the League”, as Celtic 2-1 down and with Johnny Doyle sent off, come back to beat Rangers 4-2 and win the League in breath taking style. Parkhead’s 52,000 crowd have never seen anything like it as Bobby Russell scores for Rangers, then Roy Aitken equalizes and George McCluskey puts Celtic in front. Then Alec MacDonald scores the goal that looks as if it will give Rangers the draw that would suit them, but as time runs out, Colin Jackson scores an own goal before Murdo MacLeod settles it for Celtic. It is a worthy triumph after what has not been the best of seasons.

SEVILLE – MAY 21: Dianbobo Balde of Celtic is sent off by referee Lubos Michel during the UEFA Cup Final match between Celtic and FC Porto held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. FC Porto won the match and trophy 3-2 after extra-time. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Chris Sutton in Seville. Photo imago/Colorsport

WEDNESDAY 21st MAY 2003 – It is a bitter-sweet occasion for Martin O’Neill’s Celtic in Seville as the team lose 2-3 in the UEFA Cup Final to Porto. Henrik Larsson scores twice with powerful headers, at least one of the Porto goals is conceded through a goalkeeping error and Celtic’s cause is not helped when Bobo Balde receives a red card. But Celtic’s supporters are very impressive with their colourful, cheerful and sporting behaviour both in the ground and outside. They will later receive an award for their behaviour.

SATURDAY 21st MAY 2011 – A great day for Celtic as they win the Scottish Cup for the 35th time in a rather one-sided 3-0 defeat of Motherwell. A feature of the day is the “huddle” done by all the support near the end of the game. The goals were scored by Ki, an own goal and then a well-drilled free-kick from Charlie Mulgrew. It is a good compensation for the loss of the SPL.

David Potter

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About Author

I am Celtic author and historian and write for The Celtic Star. I live in Kirkcaldy and have followed Celtic all my life, having seen them first at Dundee in March 1958. I am a retired teacher and my other interests are cricket, drama and the poetry of Robert Burns.

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