Celtic on this Day, Lubo Moravcik signs for Celtic, Roddy MacDonald powerful header beats Rangers and there are wins over Aberdeen, Dundee United and Partick Thistle…
27 October 1998, Lubo Moravcik signs for Celtic. Signing from German side MSV Duisburg for a reported fee of £200,000, the Slovakian lit up Scottish football with his wonderfully gifted technical ability that would dazzle the Celtic support. None so when two weeks after Jo Venglos brought him to the club, Lubo grabbed a double in a 5-1 victory at home to Rangers on a famous evening in Glasgow’s East End.
129 appearances and 35 goals later including fabulous displays in the Champions League, his aura is still reflected in the admiration Celtic supporters across the globe have for him. In 2015 when speaking about his time at the Hoops, Lubo said, “my favourite time, my most special time, was at Celtic. They said I was a ‘gift from God’ but it was the opposite, Celtic was a gift from God to me. Celtic is unique.” It most certainly was a special relationship.
27 October 1979, Celtic 1-0 Rangers. With fifteen minutes remaining on the clock, it was the towering presence of Shuggy Edvaldsson which caused havoc in the Rangers defence allowing Roddy MacDonald who was unmarked to head home a derby winning goal. It was the first time that Celtic played in their new ‘V’ neck hoops top, which was incredibly smart. The Hoops had stayed above Morton in the table by a point as a result of beating a misfiring Rangers side.
42 years ago today, Celtic 2-0 Dundee United. The Hoops defeated Jim McLean’s side in the Scottish League Cup semi-final first leg at Celtic Park. Two first half goals in quick succession, firstly through Nicholas from the spot and then McGarvey five minutes later who slotted past McAlpine sealed a comfortable cushion for Billy McNeill’s men who headed to Tannadice the week after for the second leg. Celtic were also sadly mourning the death of the iconic Jimmy McGrory who had died aged 78 six days prior to the match.
Five years ago today, Aberdeen 0-4 Celtic. It was a scintillating first half performance from the Celts who were peaking under Neil Lennon’s second stint at the club as manager. Odsonne Edouard, Jeremie Frimpong, James Forrest and Mohammed Elyounoussi were all on target in the first 45 as Celtic produced their biggest win at Pittodrie in 11 years. Little did we know the season would be curtailed five months later due to COVID-19.
11 years ago today, Partick Thistle 1-2 Celtic. Amido, Amido, Amido [something]Balde scored the winning goal at Firhill in the Glasgow Derby showing great pace and then sliding the ball past Liam Fox. Remember him? The Hoops went six clear at the top of the table with a game in hand. Undoubtedly, the 2013/2014 campaign was an underwhelming one. We had won the league at a canter only losing one match in the entirety of the season but had been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions at Celtic Park in the early rounds. Neil Lennon’s side had also only picked up three points in their Champions League group. It was a far from memorable season.
Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both published by Celtic Star Books on Tuesday 5th November 2024. If you would like to order your copies of these brilliant books please visit celticstarbooks.com – please note that postage is only charged on one book…
