Celtic On This Day – 5th December – 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 5th December 1925. David’s latest bestseller The Celtic Rising ~ 1965 The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything has SOLD OUT on Celtic Star Books but you can still pick up a copy via CELTIC FC official online store.while their remaining stocks last.

IMAGO / Colorsport – Jimmy McGrory 

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 1925 – A temporary spoke was put in the Celtic charge for the League Championship as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Clydebank at Parkhead. The pitch was bone hard, and such frosty conditions are a great leveller. Clydebank were also described as “gallant” and plucky” as they held out for a 1-1 draw after they had equalised McGrory’s goal.

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 1931 – Celtic, still in shock after the John Thomson disaster three months ago, today show signs of getting back to winning ways as Jimmy McGrory scores a hat-trick and Charlie Napier two as Celtic beat Third Lanark 5-0 at Parkhead before a crowd of 16,000.

Neil Mochan scored

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 1959 – Little is going right with Celtic these days, and the team, now well into the bottom half of the League, lose again this time 2-3 to Dundee before a poor crowd of less than 10,000. Chairman Kelly keeps promising that in about two years’ time, Celtic will have a good team, but it doesn’t look like it at the moment. Young Steve Chalmers scores, and then veteran Neil Mochan converts a penalty, but Dundee always have the edge. Depression is the order of the day at Celtic Park.

Harry Hood scored a hat-trick

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 1973 – Harry Hood scores a hat-trick in the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden before a crowd of 54,864. The game finishes 3-1 but is dreadfully one-sided, and Celtic are now into their tenth Scottish League Cup final in a row.

 

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2009 – Giorgios Samaras delights his many admirers with two goals today against Aberdeen as Celtic win 3-0 to continue their dominance over the Dons, particularly at Parkhead. Scott McDonald scores the other goal. Celtic’s form has been uneven this season, so the 56,010 crowd are all the more delighted with what they have seen.

David Potter

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About Author

I am Celtic author and historian and write for The Celtic Star. I live in Kirkcaldy and have followed Celtic all my life, having seen them first at Dundee in March 1958. I am a retired teacher and my other interests are cricket, drama and the poetry of Robert Burns.

1 Comment

  1. Brilliant, therapeutic reminders of Celtic’s glorious past, legendary players and two strips that have never been bettered. Bravo.