Celtic On This Day – 16th May – David Potter’s Celtic Diary

SATURDAY 16th MAY 1896 – Celtic, already League Champions and Glasgow Cup winners add the Glasgow Charity Cup by beating Queen’s Park 2-1 at Ibrox after extra time with both goals coming from Sandy McMahon. This is Celtic’s fifth win in a row of this trophy, but this time they have to fight very hard for Queen’s put up a good show before 11,000 spectators. It is a sweet win for Celtic, though, because Queen’s put them out of the Scottish Cup in January.

SATURDAY 16th MAY 1903 – Because of the Ibrox Disaster of the previous year, the Glasgow Charity Cup was extended this year to include teams like Hibs and St Mirren. Today saw a poor 0-0 draw against Hibs at Cathkin Park, but the game was significant in that it was the debut of two great players, albeit not in the position that they would become accustomed to play – James Young from Bristol Rovers was at centre half and Alec Bennett of Rutherglen Glencairn at centre forward.

SATURDAY 16th MAY 1953 – Celtic reach the final of the Coronation Cup by beating Manchester United 2-1 at Hampden before a crowd of 73,000 fans. Bertie Peacock and Neil Mochan score the goals.

WEDNESDAY 16th MAY 1979 – By agreement, both sides play their reserves in the Glasgow Cup final. Celtic agreed to this because Rangers were that night playing in the Scottish Cup final against Hibs. Rangers win 3-1 at Ibrox before a crowd of 5,000. Jim Casey scores Celtic’s only goal, but the Scottish Cup final after two 0-0 draws goes to another replay. Meanwhile everyone is getting excited about the “big” game on May 21 which may decide the League.

SUNDAY 16th MAY 2004 – In what will be his last competitive game at Celtic Park, Henrik Larsson scores twice in a 2-1 win against Dundee United, as Celtic finish a great League campaign in style with only next week’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline to come.

David Potter