On This Day: Neil Lennon denied stonewall penalty at Ibrox

ON THIS DAY Celtic have played a number of fixtures on this day and Twitter’s @Lilze_7 has been good enough to share them with the support online. There are a variety of brilliant goals on show as well as some extremely questionable defending – well one really.

The first game is from 1983 and Celtic were in Edinburgh to face Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle. Two goals from Brian McClair and Jim Dobbin gave Davie Hay’s side a win in the capital.

17th December 1983, Hearts 1:3 Celtic.

Brian McClair(2) and Jim Dobbin. @BrianMcClair13 pic.twitter.com/drqDofkgME

— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 17, 2021

The second game comes from Ibrox Park in 2006. Gordon Strachan’s Celtic faced Paul Le Guen’s Rangers in an Old Firm clash, with a goal from Tommy Gravesen giving Celtic the lead before Rangers snatched a draw. The game featured a blatant penalty on Neil Lennon being turned away by the referee Kenny Clark. The decision gets worse more times you watch it.

15 years ago today, Rangers 1:1 Celtic.

Gravesen goal and Neil Lennon denied one of the clearest penalties you will ever see. pic.twitter.com/UPIntiQqkR

— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 17, 2021

The next comes from a dead rubber Europa League game in 2009. Tony Mowbray’s Celtic went to Austria to play Rapid Vienna in the final group game, with qualification beyond Celtic. It looked like a night to forget for Celtic but a Paul MacGowan inspired turnaround gave Celtic a 3-3 draw.

17th December 2009, Rapid Vienna 3:3 Celtic.

3 down after 20 minutes but goals from Fortune(2) and McGowan earn a draw. pic.twitter.com/SVIVM730uO

— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) December 17, 2021

Finally, Celtic beat Dundee 2-1 on this day in 2016 as Brendan Rodgers’ soon-to-be Invincibles continued their dominance. Leigh Griffiths scored a sublime free-kick and Nir Bitton sealed the three points for Celtic as they warmed up for away games versus Hamilton and Rangers.