Celtic FC – Scottish Cup Winners for the 26th time – 1980 | OneFootball

CELTIC’S SCOTTISH CUP FINALS – Number 26…

CELTIC 1-0 RANGERS (AET)– HAMPDEN, 10 MAY 1980 – This is the final that was made infamous by the riot at the end, but it was a shame that such behaviour took the gloss off what was actually a very even game played in good weather.

Celtic entered this final on a low having (incredibly) thrown away the Scottish League to Aberdeen after being well ahead. They were also missing several players through injury. The game went to extra time, and the only goal of the game was scored when Danny McGrain drove hopefully for goal, George McCluskey stuck out a foot, earned a deflection and Peter McCloy in the Rangers goal was deceived.

It was not a great goal but it was good enough to win the Scottish Cup for Celtic for the 26th time. Mayhem ensued at full time, but the Cup had already been presented to Danny McGrain, and that was what really mattered.

The Celtic team was: Latchford, Sneddon, McGrain, Aitken, Conroy, MacLeod, Provan, Doyle (Lennox), McCluskey, Burns, McGarvey. Scorer: McCluskey 108

Rangers: McCloy, Jardine, Dawson, Stevens, Jackson, Forsyth (Miller), Cooper, Russell, Johnstone, Smith MacDonald (McLean)

Attendance: 70,300.  Referee: George Smith.

Both Roddy MacDonald and Tom McAdam were suspended for Celtic and Jim Casey was injured in training.

Game has been dubbed the “Hampden Riot 1980”! Said to be Scottish football’s worst riot for 70 years as Celtic and Rangers hooligans fight each other (and the police) on the actual pitch. 210 arrested (160 inside the stadium) 100 people injured including four policemen. Only the introduction of mounted police brings back order and clears the field of fans.

Game was sponsored by Youngers Tartan Special. After this game alcohol was banned from matches in Scotland and to date still not reinstated.

Mike Conroy was the unsung Celtic hero in unusual centre half position with both Tom McAdam and Roddy MacDonald suspended. Dom Sullivan and Jim Casey were both out injured.

Danny McGrain is sponsors man of the match. The Celtic captain took a shot that was well off target, but George McCluskey redirected the ball past Peter McCloy and into the goal which won the match for Celtic.

First Scottish cup medals for Sneddon, Conroy, MacLeod, Provan, McGarvey, McCluskey and sub Vic Davidson while Bobby Lennox plays his last ever game for Celtic after 17 years. This was his 26th winners medal.

Celtic received £23,000 from the sponsors for winning the cup but had £2000 deducted for having two players booked on the day.

“This is like a scene now out of Apocalypse Now… We’ve got the equivalent of Passchendaele and that says nothing for Scottish football. At the end of the day, let’s not kid ourselves. These supporters hate each other.” Archie MacPherson (match commentator).

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