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

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 3rd January 1905…

TUESDAY 3 JANUARY 1905 – For no apparent reason, Celtic disappoint their supporters and go down 2-3 to Airdrieonians at Celtic Park today. Two excuses are offered in referee Neilson’s decisions and the absence of Jimmy Quinn, but it was quite simply a bad day. Celtic’s two goals are scored by Willie Loney and Peter Somers.

MONDAY 3 JANUARY 1955 – 30,000 are at Celtic Park to see Celtic beat Raith Rovers 4-1 with goals scored by Bobby Evans, Bobby Collins, Jimmy Walsh and Charlie Tully. It is a fine “bounce-back” after a disappointing performance at Ibrox on New Year’s Day.

MONDAY 3 JANUARY 1966 – If there were the slightest doubt that the Glasgow pendulum were beginning to tilt towards Celtic, it is dispelled on this day as Celtic put Rangers to the sword in a 5-1 thrashing on a bone hard pitch as the mist begins to descend over Celtic Park. Rangers score first through Davie Wilson but in the second half, Steve Chalmers scores a hat-trick and Charlie Gallagher and Bobby Murdoch one each to record an emphatic Celtic victory.

3rd January 1966, Celtic 5:1 Rangers.

Stevie Chalmers(3), Charlie Gallagher and Bobby Murdoch. pic.twitter.com/Ql29ZTQoOd

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 3, 2024

MONDAY 3 JANUARY 1972 – It is not often that Jim Brogan scores for Celtic, but today he appears from nowhere in injury time to latch on to a Harry Hood lob to beat Rangers in front of a huge 70,000 crowd at Parkhead. Earlier Jimmy Johnstone had scored for Celtic, and Colin Stein had levelled for Rangers. This result keeps Celtic well ahead in the League race, although their second placed rivals Aberdeen also won.

SATURDAY 3 JANUARY 2004 – Celtic, with a 100% League record apart from the first day of the season (a 0-0 draw at Dunfermline) deliver a comprehensive hammering to Rangers today as they beat them 3-0 with goals from Stan Varga, Alan Thompson and Stilian Petrov. It is generally agreed that the score should have been a great deal more.

3rd January 2004, Celtic 3:0 Rangers.

Petrov, Varga and Thommo. @StanPetrov19 @Alantommo8 pic.twitter.com/ubjjkTLgke

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 3, 2024

David Potter

3rd January 1999, Rangers 2:2 Celtic.

Stubbs and Larsson. @alanstubbs_6

Mahe denied a stonewall penalty. pic.twitter.com/gQGBjLkYde

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 3, 2024

3rd January 2009, Celtic 2:2 Dundee Utd.

Samaras double. pic.twitter.com/1EOg8gXdaV

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 3, 2024

3rd January 2010, Celtic 1:1 Rangers.

McDonald. @ScottyMcD83

Sums up Mowbrays reign: pummelled them, missed sitters, gave away a shocking goal and had a perfectly good goal disallowed for no reason. pic.twitter.com/2mZ4jrrXO0

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 3, 2024