Celtic on this Day – Dramatic Celtic wins in Fife in 1923 and Dundee in 1962

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The Celtic Star

·13 January 2025

Celtic on this Day – Dramatic Celtic wins in Fife in 1923 and Dundee in 1962

Celtic on this Day – Check out this early footage of the travelling Celtic support way back in 1923 as they travelled through to Fife to watch Celtic play in the Scottish Cup…

The travelling Celtic support at Lochgelly v Celtic in the Scottish Cup on 13 January 1923. Photo The Celtic Star

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Lochgelly United 2-3 Celtic. This Scottish Cup first round tie was played at Recreation Park, Lochgelly, who were known as the “Happylanders.” Formed in 1890, Lochgelly United were a merger of two clubs — Lochgelly Athletic [founded in 1886]and Fifeshire Hibernian [formed in 1889]. It was one of the first ever games to be captured by local cinema owner Tommy Timmons. It was a five-goal thriller in front of a 10,000-capacity crowd in Fife. A late goal courtesy of John McFarlane booked Willie Maley’s side a place in the second round. Willie Brown, an ex-Celt, scored the opener for Lochgelly United. Celtic, who finished third in the 1922/1923 league campaign, would go onto lift the Scottish Cup in late March beating Hurlford, East Fife, Raith Rovers and Motherwell along the way, before defeating Hibs 1-0 in the final.

13 January 1962

Dundee United 4-5 Celtic. The travelling away support returned to Dundee for the first time since November after ‘riotous behaviour’ earlier on in the campaign. The Hoops were 5-1 up in 46 minutes but nearly blew a four-goal advantage with Dundee United scoring three in the space of 14 minutes. A nervous ending it was, but Celtic held on to their lead. Post-match Celtic boss Jimmy McGrory bemoaned the complacency that creeped into his side in the second half, “I won’t stand for overconfidence at Celtic Park,” he said.

Dundee Utd 4-5 Celtic – Celtic almost blow it after being 5-1 ahead. Press cutting from game on 13 January 1962.

13 January 1875

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

Early Celtic great Barney Battles was born in Springburn on this day in 1875. The fearless defender joined Celtic from Hearts in 1885 where he went onto win a League Championship medal in his debut season. Rejoining Celtic in 1898 after brief spells with Dundee and Liverpool, Barney won two Scottish Cup’s under Willie Maley in 1899 and 1900. Impressing Scotland selectors, the towering full-back starred in all three Home Internationals for his country in 1901. After his return to Celtic in 1898, the support would sing his popular song every game. It went, “back to Celtic again, let us join in the happy refrain, out with your rattles, for Big Barney Battles, is back with the Celtic again!”

Conor Spence

The late, great Celtic Historian David Potter’s Celtic Diary each morning on The Celtic Star looked back at key Celtic events and matches on this day starting on 13th January 1894…

Sandy McMahon scored four times

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 1894 – Celtic thump the luckless Edinburgh side St Bernards 8-1 at Celtic Park in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup. Sandy McMahon scores four, Johnny Madden two and Joe Cassidy and Willie Maley one each in the rout. The game is played in daylight, but Celtic, who had been experimenting with floodlights in a few friendlies, still have a few electric wires and bulbs over the park. The ball hits them once or twice and St Bernards see fit to complain in a rather weak attempt to get a replay. The result however stands, but the SFA tell Celtic to remove the electrical fittings.

Joe Cassidy scored a hat-trick

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 1923 – Celtic open their Scottish Cup campaign with a 3-2 win at Recreation Park, Lochgelly. Joe Cassidy scores a hat-trick. It so happens that this game is recorded on film, but the coverage is primitive with the cameraman understandably more interested in taking shots of his friends in the crowd rather that allowing us the opportunity to see Joe Cassidy in action!

Mike Jackson scored twice

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 1962 – In a remarkable game at Tannadice Park which is still in the throes of redevelopment and before an all-ticket crowd of 20,000, Celtic put their supporters through the mill. After an hour’s play, they are 5-1 up and playing superbly with two goals from Mike Jackson, two from John Hughes and one from Pat Crerand. But then Dundee United pull a goal back, then another, and with Celtic clearly rattled, their forwards out of puff and the defence arguing with each other, Wattie Carlyle of Dundee United scores a fourth in the 81st minute. The last ten minutes are desperate “siege of the Alamo” defending, but Celtic held out.

Kenny Dalglish scored twice

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 1973 – Jock Stein, now released from hospital, was back at Parkhead today to see Celtic defeat Dundee 2-1 in a tight game with two goals from Kenny Dalglish and Jimmy Johnstone. Jock was given a rousing reception, but the main topic of conversation was Lou Macari and whether he was going to Liverpool or Manchester United. He was not popular among the 27,000 Celtic fans at Parkhead today in the middle of this troubled midwinter at Celtic Park.

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 1990 – A truly dreadful Celtic performance today as they go down 0-2 to Dundee United at Tannadice, the first game after the disastrous transfer of Roy Aitken, driven out by the ungrateful Boo Boys in the crowd and Aitken’s persecution in the Press by Gerry McNee. Celtic are going nowhere and oh! how it hurt to see Dundee United with men like Paddy Connolly and Kevin Gallacher who really should have been playing for Celtic.

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 1923 – Celtic beat Lochgelly United 3:2 in the Scottish Cup and the footage of the game and the travelling Celtic support which you must watch HERE. WATCH THE VIDEO!

David Potter

Celtic in the Thirties

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO ORDER NOW! And both Volumes are also available on Amazon Kindle, links below…

Click to order Volume One

Click to order Volume Two