By season 1937/38, the pressures of being the main man in the Celtic forward line were beginning to take their toll on Jimmy McGrory. He was still keeping his place in the side and scoring but he also knew that he was slowing and that the aches and pains were taking longer to disappear.
In that season of 1937/38, the Celtic star had played 10 games and scored 5 goals, which would have been a good return for most players but did not match up to his own high standard.
On this day in 1937, Jimmy McGrory ran out at Parkhead to face Queen’s Park in a League match at Celtic Park.
All around him were guys that he had played with for some time – Joe Kennaway, Bobby Hogg, Jock Morrison, Chic Geatons, Alex Miller (standing in for the injured Willie Lyon), Johnny Crum, Malky MacDonald, Willie Buchan and Frank Murphy.
He gave his all, of course, and unfortunately, was injured later in the match but he did score one of Celtic’s goals in the 4-3 win, naturally with his head, flicking it past the QP keeper, future Celtic chairman Desmond White.
It was Jimmy McGrory’s last match and final goal for Celtic and within weeks, he would be appointed manager of Kilmarnock.
On this day in 1943, one of the greatest-ever Celts – Tommy Gemmell – was born in Craigneuk. May he rest in peace
“Now Clark to Murdoch… in comes Craig… Gemmell… HE’S SCORED! A great goal… He’s done it!”
Kenneth Wolstenholme, match commentator in Lisbon, 25 May, 1967.
Jim Craig
Why not order David Potter’s new book Celtic – How the League was Won 49 Times. It’s packed full of Celtic history from James Kelly to James Forrest and everyone in between!
Have you visited the new Celtic fans forum yet? It’s called Celtic Noise and gives you a great opportunity to join in the Celtic conversation…
