Jim Craig – Two famous Celtic wins at Ibrox on this day

On 1 January 1921, with the effervescent Patsy Gallagher at inside-right and the talented but wayward Tommy McInally at inside-left, Celtic beat Rangers 2-0 at Ibrox in a league match, both goals being scored by centre-forward Joe Cassidy.

Most frustratingly, Celtic fans then had to wait 14 years before another league victory at that ground.

That occurred on this day in 1935, when they won 2-1, the goals coming from outside-left Frank Murphy, who got his head to a Jimmy Delaney corner just after half-time for Celtic’s first and the second arriving just 10 minutes from time, inside-left Willie Buchan sending a good ball into the feet of centre-forward Johnny Crum who beat his opponent before knocking it home.

The Celtic fans were euphoric but it was short-lived. They then had to wait for a further 22 years before another league win at Ibrox, which arrived, coincidentally, on this day in 1957, less than a month before that wonderful afternoon at Hampden in the sun.

Goals by Bobby Collins – the Wee Barra – in 19 minutes, ‘Mr Teasy-Weasy’ Billy McPhail in 54 minutes and Sammy Wilson just 10 minutes later gave Celtic a 3-2 win in front of a 60,000 crowd.

Goalkeeper Charlie Shaw – born on this day in 1885 – joined Celtic from Queen’s Park Rangers in May 1913 and over the following 12 years, made 426 appearances for the first team. That is quite a record in itself but a closer look at his statistics make even better reading.

During those 426 matches, Charlie kept a clean sheet on 240 occasions, a quite outstanding ratio of 55%.

After his career at Celtic Park, Charlie moved to the USA, where he played for New Bedford. Charlie Shaw died of pneumonia in New York City on 27 March 1938.

Jim Craig

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

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