In a fourth round tie of the club’s first-ever Scottish Cup, in November 1888, Celtic lost to Clyde 1-0 at Celtic Park but immediately lodged a protest, stating that since Clyde had turned up late, the match had finished late, in semi-darkness and stormy conditions.
The protest was upheld and the match ordered to be replayed.
The Clyde players were not happy and decided to change for the match at their ground and take a bus to Parkhead for the contest.
Celtic were ready for them and the 9.000 crowd saw the Bhoys roll into action, Willie Dunning in goal making the 5th of his 6-game Celtic career, Jimmy Kelly having a starring role at centre-half and Mick Dunbar the playmaker from inside-left.
The goals came from several sources. Jim McLaren, ostensibly a left-half, scored the only two goals of his Celtic career; Tom Maley, named on the left-wing but playing at inside-forward, got a hat-trick; and Willie Groves, even by then a great favourite of the budding support, got 4 to give Celtic a 9-2 win and a place in the quarter-finals.
Many Happy Returns to Joe Miller, born on this day at Glasgow in 1967.
Jim Craig
