The First Glasgow International Exhibition was opened on 8 May 1888 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the future King Edward V11 and Queen Alexandra (pictured above!)
Spread over 60 acres at Kelvingrove Park, it comprised many attractions and events, not the least of which was the football tournament held within the grounds of Glasgow University.
In their first match of the new season of 1888/89, Celtic played Abercorn, a team from Paisley, in the first round of this competition, the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Oddly enough, the club then proceeded to the next round without apparently having to take part in any replay.
Anyway, on this day in 1888, Celtic lined up against Dumbarton in their second match in the tournament.
The Sons of the Rock were one of the top sides of the period, having narrowly lost out to Hibs in the Scottish Cup final the previous year. However, on this occasion, Celtic proved the stronger of the two sides, winning 3-1 and going through to meet Partick Thistle in the semi-final.
Jim Craig
