Jim Craig – Jimmy McGrory’s 50th Celtic hat-trick

The statistics of Jimmy McGrory’s career with Celtic are almost mind-boggling, such as 472 goals in 445 matches, an average of more than a goal a game, an incredible tally that was rewarded with a meagre total of 7 Scottish caps.

On this day in 1935, Jimmy McGrory ran out at Parkhead for Celtic’s fourth league match of the season, a local derby against Third Lanark, which Celtic won comfortably by 6 goals to nil.

Willie Buchan got a double from the inside-right position; inside-left Johnny Crum also made the score sheet; and McGrory scored the other three. It was the 50th hat-trick of his Celtic career.

By the time he retired two years later, McGrory had raised the final total to 56 hat-tricks in a Celtic career (including a ‘double’ in one match), way ahead of Jimmy Quinn in second place with 20, followed by Henrik Larsson and Bobby Lennox on 15 and Stevie Chalmers on 14.

Many Happy Returns to Dan O’Hara, born on this day in Airdrie in 1937. Inside-forward Dan joined Celtic from Fauldhouse United in 1959 and made 9 appearances for the club – with a single goal – over the next three years before joining Albion Rovers.

Jim Craig

David Potter’s new book – Celtic – How the League was Won 49 Times is out now. Click on the cover image below to order an advance copy together with a FREE copy of That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven which is signed by none other that Lisbon Lion, Bertie Auld.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

Comments are closed.