On this day, in 1983, Celtic travelled to Easter Road to play against Hibernian. The sun was blazing and 16,531 people witnessed Charlie Nicholas at his best as he put the heat on the Hibees defence.
Celtic, wearing a change of kit (white shirts, green shorts and white socks) took to the field with the following line up:
Bonner,Sinclair Reid Aitken McAdam MacLeod Provan P McStay Nicholas Burns McGarvey
Hibernian lined up:
Rough Sneddon Duncan Turnbull Rae McNamara Callachan Rice Irvine (Murray) Thomson Harvey (Brazil)
It took Celtic six minutes to take the lead when Charlie Nicholas scored a lucky goal. His close range shot somehow cannoned off both legs of Gordon Rae and found its way past Alan Rough between the sticks.
Davie Provan added a second on 27 minutes, when McAdam sold the defender a dummy and cut back for him. Provan smashed the shot in with his right foot, leaving Rough with no chance.
Nicholas’ first goal had been lucky, however, the Celtic superstar would display skill when he got his second on 51 minutes. Tommy Burns, who had dictated the entire game, linked up superbly with the Celtic striker, who drove past Rae and from a seemingly non threatening position, thundered a shot into the roof of the net from the left edge of the penalty area. The goal marked his 46th of the campaign and put Celtic three in front.
Jackie McNamara compounded the home side’s misery when he was sent off with four minutes to go, following a poor challenge on Murdo MacLeod.
The game finished 3-0 as the Hoops took three goals and three points for their efforts, moving further ahead at the top of the league thanks to Rangers defeating Aberdeen 2-1 at Ibrox. The league was now between Dundee United (eventual champions) and Celtic.
After the match, Tommy Burns was handed the man of the match award and Aston Villa declared their interest in signing Charlie Nicholas.
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