The full story of those Own Goals in Scottish Cup Finals

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The Celtic Star

·27. Mai 2025

The full story of those Own Goals in Scottish Cup Finals

In Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final – aside from the disappointment of losing – there was a small piece of competition history. Namely, both sides scored from own-goals, which is the first time that has ever happened…

Cameron Carter-Vickers Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Of the 13 games in which own-goals have been scored, Celtic have played in eight of these. This article tells the story of these events.

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Rangers are at the heart of the story of the first Scottish Cup Final own-goals. In the 1877 final, John McDougall of Vale of Leven scored in the final for Rangers. However, this was not decisive as the game ended 1-1.

Instead, the first player to score an own-goal when a team won the Scottish Cup was a Rangers man. In the second 1877 final replay, the Light Blues’ James Watson put through his own net. This helped Vale of Leven to go on to win 3-2.

The following year, Vale of Leven retained the Scottish Cup – and it was again due to an own-goal! John Hunter of Third Lanark scored past his own ‘keeper, and Vale of Leven retained the trophy.

The first Scottish Cup Final own-goal involving Celtic came in 1892. Although some sources vary, it is generally agreed that Donald Sillars of Queen’s Park scored for Celtic. This helped the Bhoys win 5-1, to claim their first ever Scottish Cup.

This was one part of that season’s ‘Holy Trinity’ of trophies for Celtic; the Bhoys also claimed the Glasgow Cup and Charity Cup. This started a run of Celtic and final own-goals. The next four finals to witness an own-goal also featured the Bhoys.

Early Celtic legend Barney Battles, born in Springburn on 13 January 1875. Image by Celtic Curio

The next one came in 1900. This time, it was temporarily bad news for the Bhoys when Barney Battles put through his own net. However, in the end this did not matter and the green-and-white stripes still went on to triumph 4-3 in an exciting match.

The next Scottish Cup Final own-goal also benefitted Celtic. In 1909, the Bhoys drew 2-2 with Rangers, and Celtic’s second came from Ibrox man Harry Rennie. The replay ended 1-1 and eventually the trophy was not awarded to anyone. This followed a major fan riot which saw that season’s trophy withdrawn.

1927 once more saw the Bhoys celebrate an own-goal in the Scottish Cup Final. Celtic beat East Fife 3-1, and the Fifers’ Stewart Robertson scored against his own club. This lucky run for the Celts continued in 1954. The Bhoys beat Aberdeen 2-1 in the final, with the Dons’ Alec Young finding his own net.

In 1968, it was the first time in 90 years that a Scottish Cup Final with an own-goal did not feature Celtic. In the 1968 match, Dunfermline’s John Lunn scored against his team. However, it did not matter as the Fife side still beat Hearts 3-1.

Jim Craig scores an own goal in the 1971 Scottish Cup Final replay but Celtic still won the cup beating Rangers 2-1 at Hampden. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

In 1971, the second own-goal scored by a Celtic player was witnessed. The unfortunate Jim Craig managed to score for Rangers. However, it proved to be unimportant because the Bhoys still won 2-1 in a replayed final.

Rangers had better luck in 1979, whereas Hibernian’s Arthur Duncan had a bad day. In a replay, his own-goal helped Rangers claim a 3-2 victory. There was then a 32-year gap without a Scottish Cup Final own-goal. This changed in 2011 when Motherwell’s Stephen Craigan was the unfortunate man in a game won 3-0 by the Celts.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic concedes an own goal leading to the first goal for Aberdeen during the Scottish Cup Final match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden Park on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

And, of course, the most recent Scottish Cup Final saw the unique sight of two own-goals, one for each club. Aberdeen’s Alfie Dorrington put his team behind before Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel equalized for the Dons. Aberdeen went on to win 4-3 on penalties.

In total, 13 Scottish Cup Finals have witnessed own-goals, scored by 14 players. Seven of the times, the scorer of the own-goal has gone on to lose.

Celtic are the side that have most benefitted from these; of the 14 own-goals scored, six have been for Celtic, more than any other team. Sadly, that made no difference at the weekend for Celtic or Kasper Schmeichel.

Onwards to next season, hopefully without any Celtic cup final regrets.

Matthew Marr

If you want to learn more about Celtic history, follow Hail Hail History on Twitter/X. You can also take part in a FREE Celtic history walking tour. Visit celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com for more information.

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books.