Celtic On This Day – 9th 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 9th January 1897…

SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 1897 – Celtic go out of the Scottish Cup in a 2-4 defeat to Arthurlie at Dunterlie Park, Barrhead. It is a result that will haunt Celtic and their supporters for the next hundred years or more, and it is all caused by internal bickering. Dan Doyle, for example, does not turn up, and three men who have been suspended by the club the previous November – Barney Battles, John Divers and Peter Meehan – have still not settled their differences, and there are a few injuries as well, notably to Sandy McMahon. The pitch is poor into the bargain, but all that does not excuse Celtic’s performance. Their two goals are scored by Henry McIlvenny and Willie Ferguson.

SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 1909 – In pursuit of their fifth League title in a row, Celtic have a tough game today against Hearts at Parkhead. It ends a 1-1 draw, with Celtic indebted to a late Jimmy Quinn equaliser after the ball had appeared to have crossed the by-line before Dan Munro crossed.

SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 1926 – Raith Rovers are by no means the worst team in the world in 1926, so the 1-0 win at Parkhead was very welcome for the small Celtic support. Willie McStay with a penalty scored the only goal of the game. Clearly, the absence of McGrory through injury was significant.

SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 1965 – Celtic’s woes continue with a 1-3 defeat at Tannadice Park today. Coming on top of so many disasters, the question is posed “Where do we go from here?” Billy McNeill looks badly out of sorts and John Hughes, who scored Celtic’s only goal, is described as “a one man forward line”.

SUNDAY 9 JANUARY 2011 – Relief was the dominant emotion here at Shielfield Park, Berwick in the Scottish Cup tie as the local team fought hard and earned the respect of the Celtic supporters who wondered why Berwick were in the Third Division. Dan Majstorovic put Celtic ahead in the first half but it wasn’t until Scott Brown scored late on, that Celtic felt safe. Berwick Rangers, sadly in 2023 not a Scottish League team any more, did of course have pedigree in Scottish Cup upsets!

David Potter

9th January 1988, St Mirren 1:1 Celtic.

Beautiful own goal to give Celtic the lead. pic.twitter.com/Wp9Rrkoaxa

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 9, 2024

9th January 1996, Raith Rovers 1:3 Celtic.

O'Donnell, Collins and Pierre. @pierrevh17 pic.twitter.com/CpDSFZp22y

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 9, 2024

9th January 2005, Celtic 2:1 Rangers.

Sutton and Hartson put Celtic into the next round of the Scottish Cup. @chris_sutton73 @JohnHartson10 pic.twitter.com/2M7QzU1Pd2

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 9, 2024

9th January 2014, Trabzonspor 1:3 Celtic.

Sol Bamba O.G plus 2 good goals from Teemu Pukki and Amido Balde. pic.twitter.com/AH66jxfRLp

— Li'l Ze (@LilZe785) January 9, 2024