On this day in 1963, a Celtic side ran out at Parkhead to face Airdrie in a league match. In front of a crowd of 13,000, the Hoops went on the rampage against the Diamonds.
Charlie Gallagher started the proceedings off in the 17th minute and John Hughes got the second in 22 minutes, going on to score a hat-trick in the 40th and 64th minutes.
Bobby Murdoch was next up, notching his only goal in 34 minutes, John Divers also got a hat-trick, in 41, 55 and 59 minutes and Steve Chalmers also made the score-sheet.
Late in the match, with the score at 9-0, Celtic were awarded a penalty. The crowd shouted for Frank Haffey to take it and captain Billy McNeill agreed, waving Frank forward. Frank ran the whole length of the park, then blasted the ball towards goal, where it was well saved by Airdrie keeper Roddy McKenzie.
True to form, instead of running back to his position, Frank stood and applauded his fellow-custodian’s save.
On this day, at Glasgow in 1913, Malcolm MacDonald was born. After a spell in the junior ranks with St Anthony’s, Malcolm joined Celtic in March 1932 and went on to make 335 appearances for the club in the ensuing 13 years, scoring 55 goals.
Malcolm was a wonderful servant to Celtic at a difficult time and is well remembered as an all-time great.
Jim Craig
Matt Corr’s Leipzig Diary (Part 1) is available to read HERE.