The Celtic Star
·17 September 2021
The Celtic Star
·17 September 2021
Celtic won in front of 14,255 fans at Fir Park on this day in 1983 as Celtic went marching on to a fourth successive win in the Scottish Premier Division.
After dismantling Hibs, St Johnstone and Rangers in the opening three games of the season, Davie Hay’s men looked to complete a fourth victory with a win against the ‘Well.
Celtic had beaten Danish side AGF Aarhus 1-0 at Celtic Park just days before, and certainly had the wind behind them – which was typified by Frank McGarvey’s fifth-minute opener.
Paul McStay raced down the right-hand side relatively unmarked, and his cross found McGarvey after evading Motherwell keeper Nicky Walker – who duly trickled the ball home to continue Celtic’s brilliant run of form.
A tense hour or so followed the game, with Motherwell keeping the Hoops’ at bay as they looked to record a fourth straight victory.
Frank Mcgarvey Photo: Mary Evans
And with just fifteen minutes left, Celtic finally wrapped the game up.
A neat Celtic move found McStay on the left hand side, and a neat one-two with Burns gave the winger a chance to bury the ball across the keeper, which he did with aplomb.
And the lead was added to ust five minutes later after a route-one ball wasn’t dealt with; as Burns took advantage to send Celts home happy.
Celtic would however go on to relinquish the league – a run of just five wins in 11 matches over the Christmas period saw Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen win the title.
And with Aberdeen beating Celtic in the Scottish Cup final alongside a defeat to Rangers in the League Cup final, it marked a dour season for Hay’s men.
The team that day was: Bonner, McGrain, Whittaker, Aitken, McAdam, MacLeod, Provan, McStay, McGarvey. Burns, McClair.
More Stories / Latest