In the early days of November 1961, Celtic lay in fourth place in the league table, five points behind leaders Dundee, which might explain why only 22,000 turned up to see the Hoops face St Mirren in a league match at Parkhead on this day in 1961.
The muscular John McNamee was at centre-half for the Bhoys that afternoon with first-season man Billy Price, recently signed from Falkirk, at left-half.
But it was a day for the forwards, with Steve Chalmers, on the right wing, picking up a double, in 18 and 40 minutes, outside-left Bobby Carroll also getting two, in 20 and 55 minutes and inside-right Mike Jackson becoming another two-goal man, these arriving in the 53rd and 61st minute.
Six goals shared equally between three players then John Hughes got into the act in 69 minutes to make the final score Celtic 7 St Mirren 1.
Many Happy Returns to John Halpin, born on this day at Broxburn in 1961.
Jim Craig
