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 31st January 1920…
SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 1920 – Celtic lose 1-2 to Dundee at Dens Park, a result that puts Celtic even further behind in the League race. Joe Cassidy scores Celtic’s only goal of the game, and it is generally agreed that Celtic are worth a draw, but they are missing Patsy Gallacher. Celtic now stay on in the area at the Bruce Hotel in Carnoustie, for they are at Dens Park again next Saturday in the Scottish Cup. Maley enjoys such occasions for he can hold court to the local Press during the day, and organise concerts at night in the hotel to entertain the other guests.
SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 1959 – It is a long time since Albion Rovers have been at Parkhead but they are here today in the Scottish Cup and are given a warm welcome from the Celtic crowd. The game is an easy one however with two goals from Sammy Wilson, one from Mike Jackson and an own goal.
SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 1970 – Celtic take another stride towards the League Championship with a 3-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic at Parkhead, thereby repeating their Scottish Cup success of the previous week. 36,000 see Willie Wallace, Lou Macari and Bobby Lennox score the goals.
SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 1981 – Hearts, a quaint mixture of fresh-faced youngsters and gnarled ex-Rangers veterans are swept aside by a thoroughly professional Celtic side who beat them 3-0 with goals from Frank McGarvey, Tommy Burns and Dom Sullivan. Hearts’ fans behaviour has not improved since the last time, and Celtic players are pelted with missiles from time to time. Celtic fans in the 14,596 are well behaved however.
SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2004 – The weather is not great with wind and sleet, but the football is fine as Celtic put Kilmarnock to the sword before 59,046 fans at Celtic Park. John Hartson scores twice and the other goals are scored by Didier Agathe, Stephen Pearson and Henrik Larsson. Celtic are on a remarkable run in the Scottish Premier League, having won every game since the first League game of the season at Dunfermline.
20 years ago today, Celtic 5:1 Kilmarnock.
Agathe, Hartson(2), Larsson and Pearson. @JohnHartson10 @DidierAgathe pic.twitter.com/0Hge1TtyyZ
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 31, 2024
David Potter
Happy Birthday John Collins. pic.twitter.com/o2kXWAMGgs
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 31, 2024
25 years ago today, Celtic 5:0 St Johnstone.
Brattbakk(3), Lubo and Larsson. pic.twitter.com/UAsMJll3Tc
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 31, 2024
31st January 2005, Craig Bellamy signs for Celtic on loan. pic.twitter.com/a5mfwlav0m
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 31, 2024
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