Celtic Historian David Potter each morning on The Celtic Star looks back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 23rd December 1916. David’s latest bestseller The Celtic Rising ~ 1965: The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything SOLD OUT on Celtic Star Books but the good news is that it is now back in stock! You can place an order here and we’ll post your order immediately. The Celtic Rising is also now available on Amazon Kindle, link below.
SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 1916 – Celtic haven’t been beaten for over a year now, and weren’t really in a lot of trouble today as they went to Firhill and won 2-0 with goals from Johnny Browning and Jimmy “Sniper” McColl. The war of course continues, but there is a certain confidence in the new Prime Minister, the duplicitous and untrustworthy but nevertheless dynamic and confident, David Lloyd George. Ireland lies in an uneasy calm as the momentous year of 1916 comes to an end.
SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 1922 – Celtic’s infuriatingly inconsistent form reasserts itself as they lose 1-2 to Kilmarnock at home today. Joe Cassidy is out injured, but Adam McLean moves in from the left wing to take his place and scores the only goal. It is clear however that some of the Celtic players are not happy and don’t get along with Manager Willie Maley. Johnny Gilchrist in particular knows that his Parkhead days are numbered.
SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 1961 – For a long time people have talked about this young Celtic team “arriving”, and today at Stark’s Park, Kirkcaldy, it looks as if this might be happening as the team, on the crest of a wave, beat the home side easily 4-0 with two goals from John Divers and one each from Steve Chalmers and Bobby Carroll. Celtic are also relieved at the good behaviour of the fans, some of whom have badly disgraced the colours this season. The new song “Sure, it’s a grand old team to play for” is clearly a great hit with the fans.
SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 1967 – Celtic now seem to have put the horrendous events of South America behind them as they travel to Greenock and defeat Morton 4-0 with a hat-trick from Joe McBride and a goal from John Hughes. The victory was not as easy as it seemed for most of the goals came late and Morton fought hard. It was nice to see Joe McBride back again, and hopefully over his injury problems.
SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 2000 – Didier Agathe and Henrik Larsson scored the goals today at Love Street against St Mirren in a 2-0 victory which was far easier than it sounded, for Martin O’Neill is clearly welding together a great side and in Henrik Larsson, there is clearly something special.
23rd December 2000, St Mirren 0:2 Celtic.
Agathe and Larsson. pic.twitter.com/z5IeUOFvVK
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 23, 2022
David Potter
22nd December 1984, Celtic 1:1 Rangers.
Brian McClair. @BrianMcClair13 pic.twitter.com/MsxjLbxyd2
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 22, 2022
23rd December 2006, Celtic 1:0 Falkirk.
Gravesen with a cracking winner. pic.twitter.com/gNdkWOXO6d
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 23, 2022
5 years ago today, Celtic 3:0 Aberdeen.
Lustig, Hayes and Ntcham. @OlivierNtcham pic.twitter.com/IEvXVHu2Nl
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 23, 2022
22nd December 2018, Celtic 3:0 Dundee.
Johnston(2) and Benkovic. @mikeyjohnston10 pic.twitter.com/xtwv58ChJ1
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 22, 2022
