Celtic on this Day – Bobo Balde penalised for a debatable handball in Lyon

Celtic on this Day, some domestic triumphs but a real tragedy in the Champions League as Bobo Balde is penalised for debatable handball in France against Lyon…

John Hartson celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique Lyonnais and Celtic at Gerland on December 10, 2003 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

10 December 1932

Celtic 3-2 Dundee. A hard game but a deserved victory today as Celtic defeat Dundee 3-2 at Parkhead with goals from Jimmy McGrory, Chick Geatons and an own goal. Dundee are sore about a goal disallowed in the first half which they felt should have stood but referee Watson was adamant that there was a foul on Joe Kennaway.

Much more on Celtic in the Thirties in Matt Corr’s brilliant double issue available now at Celtic Star Books.

: Celtic in the Thirties, Vol One by Matt Corr.

: Celtic in the Thirties – Volume Two

10 December 1966

Willie Wallace makes his Celtic debut against Motherwell in a 4-2 win at Celtic Park on 10 December 1966. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic 4-2 Motherwell. Parkhead is upbeat and excited for the visit of Motherwell. 40,000 are there to cheer their team who are now in the quarter-final of the European Cup having beaten Nantes on Wednesday, and to welcome new striker Willie Wallace. A large banner is unfurled saying “Oor Wullie” to welcome him. Unfortunately he doesn’t score, but plays well in the 4-2 win. Celtic’s goals come from a hat-trick from Steve Chalmers and a late strike from Bobby Murdoch when Motherwell are threatening a late fight-back. A Motherwell player is sent off that day. His name is John “Dixie” Deans.

10 December 2003

Chris Sutton scores — Chris Sutton shoots past Gregory Coupet of Lyon to score during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Olympique Lyonnais and Celtic at Gerland on December 10, 2003 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

Lyon 3-2 Celtic. Celtic exit the European Champions’ League in unfortunate circumstances in Lyon when a dodgy penalty awarded against Bobo Balde for handball allows Lyon to win 3-2 after John Hartson and Chris Sutton had scored for Celtic. Celtic however scrape into the UEFA Cup knockout stages.

10 December 2006

Maciej Zurawski scores against Dunfermline on 10 December 2006. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Dunfermline Athletic 2-1 Celtic. A decent win at East End Park before a crowd of 7,080 and a lunch-time TV audience. The win is more comfortable that the score line would suggest, for Dunfermline score right at the death. Celtic’s two goals were scored by Aiden McGeady and Maciej Zurawski, but the supporters are disturbed to see a spat between Aiden McGeady and Neil Lennon at the end. It was just as well that the game was won!

NB. Conor Spence is in Zagreb as indeed is Matt Corr, so we’ve referred to the late great David Potter’s earlier work on The Celtic Star for today’s Celtic on this Day feature.