Celtic On This Day – 3rd April – David Potter’s Celtic Diary

Celtic Historian David Potter each morning on The Celtic Star looks back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 3rd April 1926…

SATURDAY 3rd APRIL 1926 – Celtic are on the verge of the Scottish League title but poor finishing lets them down today at Parkhead with a 0-0 draw against a rugged Kilmarnock side. It is one of the few days that McGrory seems a little off form. Four games remain, and another four points would do it.

SATURDAY 3rd APRIL 1937 – An astonishing crowd of 76,000 are at Hampden to see the Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Clyde on a raw afternoon. Jimmy McGrory scores the first goal when he heads home a George Paterson cross, and the other goal is an own goal, as Celtic run out comfortable 2-0 winners. In the other semi-final at Easter Road, Aberdeen beat Morton to reach the final for the first time.

SATURDAY 3rd APRIL 1965 – No-one realises it at the time, but this is the last game that Celtic will ever play against Third Lanark. The Thirds are already relegated and will struggle on for two years in the Second Division before finally going under. They are managed by ex-Celt Bobby Evans, and the only goal today at Parkhead in this meaningless League fixture is an own goal scored by ex-Celt Dunky MacKay.

TUESDAY 3rd APRIL 1973 – A very valuable victory tonight in this very tight League race as Celtic with goals from Dixie Deans and Kenny Dalglish see Celtic home, beating Motherwell 2-0 at Celtic Park. Celtic and Rangers are now level on points, but Celtic’s goal difference is much better. John Muir of Motherwell is sent off at half time after appearing to throw a punch at Dixie Deans as the players left the field!

WEDNESDAY 3rd APRIL 1974 – A goal by Jimmy Johnstone just before half-time is enough to put Celtic into the Scottish Cup final against Dundee, who of course beat Celtic in this season’s League Cup final. 58,260 are there to see Dundee put up a fight in the second half but without ever looking like breaking through to equalise.

David Potter

Born on this day in 1943, John 'Yogi' Hughes. 💚 pic.twitter.com/CvW8M2YrWA

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) April 2, 2024

25 years ago today, Celtic 5:0 Dundee.

Larsson(2), Burley, Viduka and Blinker. @RegiBlinker @craigburley pic.twitter.com/s0yMRwFg19

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) April 2, 2024

20 years ago today, Celtic 2:2 Hearts.

Goals from Sutton and Agathe in the last 2 minutes as Celtic come from 2 behind to ensure the run of 76 home games unbeaten continues. @chris_sutton73 pic.twitter.com/ib7LyscLzn

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) April 2, 2024