However, back in March ’81, Frank still had business to settle. He followed up his St Mirren hat-trick with the final goal in a 4-1 midweek romp over Partick Thistle at Celtic Park, substitute Murdo MacLeod marking only his second appearance in an injury-ravaged five-month period with a couple of specials past Alan Rough.
Earlier, Dom Sullivan had notched up Celtic’s 100th competitive goal of the season, with another fantastic strike. This was a Celtic side in full flow, eyes focused fully on the League title, closing out March with a 2-1 win at Broomfield before Aberdeen came to Parkhead for the final time.
There were 35,000 plus in the ground to witness the last-chance saloon for Ferguson’s champions. The Dons took the lead through Andy Harrow early on and things looked bleak when Leighton saved Macleod’s penalty kick with just fifteen minutes remaining.
Nevertheless, eight points clear with just six games remaining, this was now Celtic’s title to lose.
Incredibly, for a Celtic side closing in on the title, only 13,000 supporters bothered to turn out on the night. There were actually 4,000 more at Firhill on Grand National weekend, to watch Tom McAdam head a last-gasp winner, after McCluskey had seen his late spot kick saved by the goalkeeper. With four games to go, Celts had amassed 51 points, with Aberdeen now only capable of a maximum of 53.
Before the next League game, Rangers at Ibrox, there was the small matter of the Scottish Cup Semi-final at Hampden against Dundee United, in a repeat of the League Cup last-four tie. For once the Celtic strike force came up short, United the better team against a Hoops side missing the suspended McGrain and McGarvey but having to settle for a replay, after a goalless draw in front of 40,000.
The midweek rematch had goals, three of them in the first ten minutes, in a game which see-sawed from start to finish. Nicholas gave Celts the lead from the spot after five minutes, only to watch as first Bannon then Hegarty stole in at the far post to push the Arabs ahead. Charlie then equalised for the Hoops on the stroke of half-time, with both teams then going for a winner in an exciting second period. It did arrive on 75 minutes and sadly for Celts it was at the wrong end of Hampden,
Mike Conroy getting a touch on Hegarty’s drive and looking on despairingly as it flew past Pat Bonner. A first defeat in 1981 meant there would be no retention of ‘our Cup’ for proud holders Celtic.
As football so often does, there was an early opportunity provided for Billy to lift his troops, with a visit to Ibrox just three days later. A victory would enable Celtic to match the potential points total for our only challengers, Aberdeen, with the Bhoys’ superior goal difference of thirteen meaning that the title could effectively be clinched that weekend.
This was something which had not happened since May 1967, when Jinky cut in from the wing to blast his second goal of the day in off the crossbar, the ball then sticking in the mud in one of those iconic Celtic moments, in front of the watching Herrera.
It was party time in the Free Broomloan, as early in the second half, the best move of the game, involving Provan, Nicholas and McGarvey, ended with Charlie burying the ball behind Jim Stewart for the winning goal. As the players took a well-earned bow at the end in front of the delirious support, manager McNeill correctly maintained his position that a further point was required before he would accept the title as won.
