If you know the history – Celtic at birth, 50 & 100, Part 1 – May 1888

May 1888. Excitement was intense amongst the Irish community in the east end of Glasgow, as Celtic’s new ground neared completion, following the purchase of a stretch of land between Janefield Cemetery and Dalmarnock Street (later renamed Springfield Road), just six months earlier.

The first Celtic Park was opened on Monday, 8 May 1888, with a match between Hibernian and Cowlairs, a few hours after the future King Edward VII opened the Glasgow International Exhibition at Kelvingrove Park, over in the west end of the city.

Scottish Cup-holders, Renton, had been the preferred opponents for the Edinburgh side, however, they were playing Rangers in the Glasgow Charity Cup semi-final at First Hampden the same night, winning 5-1.

The enterprising Celtic committee had then turned their eyes south, inviting the strongest side in England at that time, Preston North End, to play Hibernian. They had suffered a shock defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup Final at Kennington Oval six weeks earlier, having been so confident of victory that they reputedly asked to be photographed with the cup before the game!

They would make no such mistake in the season to follow, becoming the first side to win the League and Cup double in England by going through both competitions unbeaten, the original ‘Invincibles’.

The fee requested by the Lancashire club was felt to be too hefty and so it was, then, that a team from Springburn graced the original hallowed turf first. Cowlairs had won the Glasgow North-Eastern Cup for the third successive season just three days earlier, beating local rivals, Northern 1-0 in the final at Clyde’s home ground, the original Barrowfield Park in Dalmarnock.

They would go on to play a key role in Celtic’s early search for competitive honours. The opening game between the Glasgow and Edinburgh sides at Celtic Park finished goalless, before more than 5,000 spectators.

Three weeks later, Monday, 28 May 1888, Celtic Football Club played its first football match, facing Glasgow club, Rangers in a friendly.

As Celtic were still in the process of securing a team for the new season (players’ contracts were renewed annually in those days), the home side comprised of players still contracted to other clubs, including both Renton and Hibernian. The Rangers XI featured a number of reserve players, known as ‘swifts’.

In front of 2,000, Renton winger, Neil McCallum, had the honour of scoring the first-ever goal at the new ground and in the history of Celtic, whilst Cathcart’s Tom Maley, playing beside his brother Willie, notched the inaugural hat-trick.

Future captain and chairman, James Kelly, the father of Sir Robert and the star Scottish player of his day, scored the second goal as the white-shirted Celts won 5-2.

Dedicated to the memory of Billy McNeill and Stevie Chalmers, Lisbon heroes who brought so much joy to those Celtic supporters of a certain vintage. Rest in peace, Cesar and Stevie.

Hail, hail!

Matt Corr

Part 2, May 1938 and Part 3, May 1988 to follow later this afternoon.

Follow Matt on Twitter @Boola_vogue

Credit to Brendan Sweeney’s excellent book, ‘Celtic, The Early Years’ and to the Celtic Wiki on Kerrydale Street, both invaluable sources of information.

About Author

Having retired from his day job Matt Corr can usually be found working as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park, or if there is a Marathon on anywhere in the world from as far away as Tokyo or New York, Matt will be running for the Celtic Foundation. On a European away-day, he's there writing his Diary for The Celtic Star and he's currently completing his first Celtic book with another two planned.

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