Celtic Historian David Potter each morning on The Celtic Star looks back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 5th April 1913. David’s latest bestseller The Celtic Rising ~ 1965: The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything is available now in print on Celtic Star Books, and also on Amazon kindle, links below…
SATURDAY 5th APRIL 1913 – A very unsatisfactory season is coming to an end, but Celtic, without McNair, McMenemy and Quinn win 2-1 today over St Mirren at Celtic Park. The goals were scored by Johnny Browning and Alec Gray. Alec McNair was playing for Scotland against England at Stamford Bridge where the Scots were unluckily defeated 0-1.
MONDAY 5th APRIL 1915 – Celtic beat Queen’s Park 3-0 at Hampden in this Holiday Monday fixture in showery weather with goals from Jimmy McColl, Patsy Gallacher and Jimmy McMenemy. Effectively, Celtic have now caught Hearts who are still one point ahead, but Celtic have a game in hand
WEDNESDAY 5th APRIL 1967 – Following Saturday’s disappointment, Celtic make no mistake tonight as they beat Clyde 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final replay at Hampden Park. Bobby Lennox scores early on, and Bertie Auld scores with a magnificent turn and drive from the edge of the box to make things certain before half-time. The second half is an anti-climax, but Celtic are well on top.
SATURDAY 5th APRIL 1969 – Playing some devastating football, arguably the best ever in the Stein era, Celtic defeat Hibs 6-2 to lift the Scottish League Cup for the 6th time and the 4th year in a row. In fine spring sunshine, Bobby Lennox scores a hat-trick and Bertie Auld, Willie Wallace and, of all people, Jim Craig one each. It is a fine performance against a good Hibs side which has players like Pat Stanton, John Brownlie, John Blackley and others in it. The game is played on this date because a fire in the stand had put Hampden out of commission when the League Cup Final was due to be played in October.
5th April 1969, Celtic beat Hibs 6:2 in the League Cup final.
Willie Wallace, Bertie Auld, Bobby Lennox(3) and Jim Craig with the goals. pic.twitter.com/rF2hHb2yZH
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 4, 2023
TUESDAY 5th APRIL 1988 – Celtic stay on course for the Scottish League Championship with a 2-0 win over St Mirren at Celtic Park, the goals being scored by Andy Walker and Paul McStay. Having defeated Hibs by a similar score on Saturday at Easter Road, they are now only two points away from the League title, and a huge crowd of 45,465 sing their praises.
David Potter
5th April 1997, Raith Rovers 1:1 Celtic.
Di Canio.
McStay off injured after ten minutes, his last appearance for Celtic.
Bobby Tait at his finest. pic.twitter.com/M7OwxNdssX
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 4, 2023
5th April 2000, Celtic 4:0 Motherwell.
Johnson(2), Berkovic and Blinker. @RegiBlinker pic.twitter.com/I3HUx9Kfy2
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 4, 2023
5th April 2006, Celtic 1:0 Hearts.
John Hartson volleys in the winner against Hearts to clinch the title in Gordon Strachans first season. @JohnHartson10 pic.twitter.com/a5O0sgE48D
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 4, 2023
5th April 2014, Dundee Utd 0:2 Celtic.
Samaras and Stokes. pic.twitter.com/YyPR5SD5zy
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 4, 2023
5th April 2017, Celtic 1:1 Partick Thistle.
Sinclair. @Scotty_Sinclair pic.twitter.com/6QBLOKFCiJ
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 4, 2023
Celtic without McMenemy, would be like Napoleon without Marshall Davout, or more likely The Lisbon Lions without Bobby Murdoch, some players like Paul McStay – Danny McGrain -Paul Elliott – Henrik Larsson – Tommy Burns – Calum McGregor are priceless. They make all the difference, they make us get off our seats and lift our spirits, without them the game would be less enjoyable. There are many players missing from my list, but you get the point.
So who is the whistler in the upcoming game against the ‘Dead Club’ Michael Beale or Kevin Clancy?