Celtic On This Day – 4th October – David Potter’s Celtic Diary

The late, great Celtic Historian David Potter’s Celtic diary highlights key Celtic-related events relevant to each day, today covering 4th October…

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 1902

It will be the last time that Celtic play a League game against Queen’s Park at the old Hampden Park, for by next year a new Hampden will be built. Today is an unhappy day for Celtic lose 1-2 with their consolation goal being scored by John Campbell. Talisman Sandy McMahon is still out injured, although a youngster called McMenemy gets a game today.

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 1919

Celtic cheer up their 45,000 fans at Parkhead in these dire post-war days by winning the Glasgow Cup in a hard fought final, the only goal of the game coming, almost inevitably, from the “boy wonder” Tommy McInally with a shot-cum-lob that deceived everyone. It was a wonder that such a large crowd got there, for the trains were on strike, and incidents of violence reported as the Government tried to move some trains.

MONDAY 4 OCTOBER 1965

Celtic have a close shave in the semi-final of the League Cup against Hibs at Ibrox. Joe McBride scores first but then Bob Shankley’s Hibs come back with two goals from Neil Martin, and in the very last minute only a toe-poke from close range by Bobby Lennox takes the game to extra-time. In extra-time, both teams had good chances to win the game, but it goes to a replay. Both teams get a warm ovation at full-time for putting up such a good performance on a heavy pitch.

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 1969

Celtic give their 32,000 fans a treat by beating Raith Rovers 7-1 at Celtic Park. Bobby Lennox and Jimmy Johnstone get two goals each and Tommy Callaghan, John Hughes and Willie Wallace one each.

Willie Wallace was among the goals

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 1980

Following a dreadful European performance in midweek against a team called Politecnica Timosaura, Celtic today restore some credibility as they beat Dundee United 2-0 at Celtic Park in front of 22,000. It is a typical Dundee United-in-Glasgow performance from Jim McLean’s men, but Celtic keep battering away and Charlie Nicholas and Frank McGarvey score the goals.

David Potter

About Author

David was a distinguished Celtic author and historian and writer for The Celtic Star. He lived in Kirkcaldy and followed Celtic all my life, having seen them first at Dundee in March 1958. He was a retired teacher and his other interests were cricket, drama and the poetry of Robert Burns. David Potter passed away on 29 July 2023 after a short illness. He was posthumously awarded a Special Recognition award by Celtic FC at the club's Player of the Year awards in May 2024. David's widow Rosemary accepted the award to huge applause from the Celtic Supporters in the Hydro.

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