Celtic and Boxing Day seem to go hand in hand

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The Celtic Star

·26 December 2024

Celtic and Boxing Day seem to go hand in hand

Celtic and Boxing Day seem to go hand in hand with each other – particularly since 2000…

Mikey Johnston celebrates. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Since the turn of the century, the Hoops have featured in 17 matches on 26 December, including most recently a 3-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park last season.

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Celtic’s first on this date, came four years after the club’s foundation in 1887 – 26 December 1891 in the league versus St Mirren where the Hoops ran out 2-1 victors.

In the latter stages of the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth centuries, Willie Maley’s side played in Boxing Day encounters outwith Scotland environs.

Travelling to Manchester to face Ardwick in 1892, Everton at Goodison three years thereafter, followed by Sunderland in 1898, and then Grimsby Town at Blundell Park a year later – the Hoops enjoyed their visits down south post-Christmas.

This tradition changed in 1901 and 1902 where Celtic done the double over Bohemians [0-2 and 2-3] in friendlies played at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Subsequently, these successive fixtures seemed to create an early and historical bond between the two clubs.

Celtic’s most famous win on this day came in 1955 as Jimmy McGrory’s men defeated their bitter rivals Rangers 5-3 for the Hoops’ first triumph in the Glasgow Cup since 1948. Courtesy of a Bobby Collins and James Sharkey double as well as Willie Fernie netting late on, Celtic lifted the trophy.

The biggest win on Boxing Day in Celtic’s 137-year decorated history came two years earlier to this famous Glasgow Cup victory. The Hoops won 7-1 against Clyde in front of a spare crowd due to a transport strike and dreadful weather conditions which nearly put the game in jeopardy.

Interestingly, the current Scottish champions have only played European opponents on 26 December once. 36 years ago, Celtic drew 2-2 with Red Star Belgrade on a wet Boxing Day bank holiday. Of course, the Serbs would go onto win the European Cup four years later.

Brendan Rodgers named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for November. Image SPFL

With Motherwell our opponents this afternoon – three points against the Steelmen would make it 20 matches unbeaten for Celtic on the 26 December. Trawling back the record books will take you to the year 1992 the last time the Celts were beaten on Boxing Day – a 0-1 defeat at home to Dundee United. Of course it was the 90s.

Since 1992, it has been 17 wins and two draws with 11 straight victories since 2007. Let’s hope Celtic’s glittering modern Boxing Day record continues today!

Conor Spence

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