The Celts will tomorrow play Falkirk in the League Cup. The Bhoys’ cup connections with Falkirk sides are almost as old as Celtic itself…
Celtic’s first Falkirk encounter didn’t involve Falkirk FC. Instead, in December 1888, Celtic went to Merchiston Park to play East Stirlingshire in the Scottish Cup. Then wearing green-and-white stripes, Celtic won 2-1, en route to their first Scottish Cup Final. Unfortunately the Bhoys would lose that to Third Lanark, still the only club that Celtic have played in the Scottish Cup Final without ever winning.
The first time that Celtic played Falkirk FC was September 1905. Celtic went to Brockville for a League match, and claimed a big 5-0 win. This was during the Bhoys’ famous six-in-a-row titles from from 1905-1910. This was a record that would stand until Celtic exceeded this in the 1970s during the nine-in-a-row run.
Falkirk’s first visit to Celtic Park came later that season; it saw an even bigger Celtic victory. In January 1906, the ‘Bairns’ lost heavily in Glasgow’s east end, falling to a 7-0 League defeat.
Celtic’s first cup encounter with Falkirk was during World War Two, a period which was very unsuccessful for the Bhoys on the field. Playing in March 1944, the two sides met in the Southern League Cup (the competition which later became the Scottish League Cup). Celtic won 3-1 in this away tie.
The first time Celtic played Falkirk in the actual League Cup was almost exactly 70 years ago. Falkirk came to Celtic Park in August 1954 but left after losing 3-0. Before this game began, champions Celtic unfurled the League flag, with Marie Kelly, the wife of Celtic chairman Robert Kelly, doing the honours.
Amazingly when compared to the modern era, this was the first time that Celtic fans had seen the League flag in 16 years. And it was the only time in the 1950s, with Jock Stein’s team’s 1965-66 triumph being the next one.
Unsurprisingly, Celtic have generally fared best against Falkirk, but that doesn’t mean it has been all plain sailing. The Bairns’ first win over the Celts was 3-1 in a 1955 League game. They haven’t beaten Celtic in the League Cup but famously knocked the Bhoys out in the 1997 Scottish Cup semi-final.
Arguably, the most renowned Celtic and Falkirk cup moment came in the Scottish Cup, not League Cup. Playing in February 1953, Celtic won this away game 3-2. Famously, Charlie Tully scored from a corner and it was ruled out. So he just did it again!
21/09/04 League Cup 3rd round, Celtic 8 Falkirk 1. Momo Sylla (left) celebrates after scoring for Celtic in the opening minutes of the game
Celtic’s record win versus Falkirk came twenty years ago in the League Cup. Playing in September 2004, Celtic smashed eight past their visitors, going through 8-1 to the next round.
Something similar would do tomorrow…
Matthew Marr
Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailhistory
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