After twelve matches in the league campaign of 1956/57, Celtic had won 6, drawn 3 and lost 3, with a relatively poor record of 19 goals scored.

On this day in 1956, they travelled through to Broomfield to face Airdrie, at that time in mid-table. Future Celt Billy Price was at wing-half for the Diamonds that afternoon and future Rangers star Ian McMillan at inside-forward.

Celtic had Jonas Kaduskeviechi – or John Jack as he was better known – at centre-half, in front of Dick Beattie in goal and alongside Bobby Evans and Bertie Peacock.

John Higgins was at outside-right, Vincent Ryan at inside-right, with Neil Mochan, Willie Fernie and Charlie Tully also up front to provide support.

Celtic won 7-3, John Higgins scoring four of them, all in the first half, in 11, 17, 29, and 42 minutes; Vincent Ryan scored one of the three goals in his 22-match career in the Hoops; and Willie Fernie got the final two, in the 75th and 77th minutes, to help make Celtic’s goals-for tally much more respectable.

Many Happy Returns to Alan Thompson, born on this day in 1973.

Jim Craig

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