Heart of Midlothian 0 Celtic 2

SPFL, Saturday 22 February 2014 – Tynecastle

Hearts mini-revival in the SPFL Premiership – Gary Locke’s side were on an unbeaten run of four games – came to an end at Tynecastle on Saturday when league champions Celtic extended their lead at the top of the league to an astonishing 24 points with a 2-0 victory.

Given Hearts miserable season and the result the last time Neil Lennon’s team visited Gorgie – a 7-0 thrashing in the Scottish Cup in December – few of the home support expected their side to take anything from a team still to taste defeat in the league this season. However, this was a much-improved showing from the young Maroons and allowed a smidgeon of optimism to return to the Gorgie faithful.

Locke made two changes from the team that won a hard-earned point in Inverness last Saturday with Callum Paterson and Kevin McHattie restored to the side.

Hearts looked determined to ensure they wouldn’t be on the end of another seven goal hiding and gave Celtic as good as they got in the first half. As expected, the Hoops created the better openings in front of goal and Mulgrew’s cross created a chance for Stokes but the former Hibs player couldn’t connect with the ball. Another former Hibby – Leigh Griffiths, a target for the baying home support – then set off on a run down the right but failed to provide a finish. Van Dijk then saw his free-kick go wide, before Hearts skipper Danny Wilson blocked another effort from Griffiths.

It wasn’t all one-sided though and Callum Paterson set up striker Paul McCallum only to see the on-loan West Ham player make something of a hash of the opportunity and end up conceding a foul. Paterson then made a loud but rather optimistic plea for a penalty kick when he fell inside the Celtic penalty area but if any contact was made it appeared it was from another player wearing maroon. Nonetheless, Hearts fans could enjoy their half-time pie with the game goalless. At this stage during Celtic’s last visit, the Hoops were five goals ahead…

Celtic began the second half the way they began the first by swarming around Hearts goal. It seemed only a matter of time before they scored and, indeed, they did after an hour’s play. Griffiths turned Danny Wilson before drilling in a left foot shot past Jamie MacDonald to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Hearts substitute Dale Carrick looked lively when he replaced the ineffectual McCallum and the youngster fired in a powerful effort from 20 yards which was blocked by Biton as Hearts went looking for the equaliser. However, it was the visitors who looked the more likely to score again and Commons drove a shot wide before Boerrigter produced a fine save from Jamie MacDonald.

Hearts then threatened to spoil Celtic’s long run without conceding a goal  - after 31 minutes Celtic keeper Forster broke former Aberdeen keeper’s league record of 1,115 minutes without losing a goal - but the Hoops defended well before finishing the game in the third minute of injury time when Pukki scored a second goal.

The gamed therefore ended with a 2-0 win for Celtic but it was a gallant effort from this young Hearts team who at least restored credibility with a battling performance, something Hearts manager Gary Locke alluded to after the game.

"I think we've got to look at the positives," said the Hearts gaffer. "The last time Celtic played here it was no contest. You can see how far some of our young players have come. For long spells we matched the best team in the country. We've told the players to go and express themselves. In the middle of the season, they took a dip in form, some of them at the same time. But you can see that, having worked with them for five or six months, they're taking on board what we're saying. They're not making as many mistakes and they've grown from boys to men."

Hearts: MacDonald, McGowan, McKay, Wilson, McHattie, Paterson, Stevenson, Hamill, Robinson, Nicholson, McCallum.

Celtic: Forster, Matthews, van Dijk, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Brown, Biton, Johansen, Commons, Griffiths, Stokes.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Att: 15,801

Top man: Jamie MacDonald

 

 

Heart of Midlothian 1 Celtic 3

SPFL Saturday 14 September 2013 - Tynecastle Stadium

Hearts had won both their previous SPFL fixtures at Tynecastle this season but the acid test of this young Maroons team was always going to be when League Champions Celtic came to Gorgie. So it proved when Neil Lennon’s side proved too good for an enthusiastic and hard-working Hearts side who nevertheless gave as good as they got in an eventful afternoon at Tynecastle.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon recognised how tough this fixture has traditionally been for his side and, despite the Hoops opening Champions League fixture in Milan next Tuesday, sent out a strong starting eleven. As expected, it was Celtic who had the bulk of the possession in the early stages of the game and Kris Commons had the first real chance but volleyed over from 12 yards when he really should have opened the scoring.

This is not to say Hearts were sitting back and Gary Locke’s side looked dangerous on the counter-attack. The impressive Kevin McHattie, restored to the Hearts team following his suspension from the team that lost in Inverness before the international break, almost caught out Celtic keeper Forster with a close range effort. However, the opening goal came at the other end and in somewhat controversial circumstances.

Hearts Jamie Hamill must have felt an overpowering sense of déjà vu when, for the second game running, he was deemed guilty of handball in the penalty area thereby conceding a penalty kick. In Inverness a fortnight ago, Hamill seemed powerless to prevent the ball cannoning off his head  - which not only resulted in a penalty kick for Caledonian Thistle but also a red card – ultimately rescinded -  for the Hearts man. This time round Stokes’ effort cannoned off the unfortunate Hamill’s arm. Penalty decreed referee Willie Collum although thankfully common sense prevailed and Hamill remained on the pitch. Commons despatched the penalty and the jeers and catcalls that whistled around Tynecastle from a disbelieving home support told its own story. Afterwards, Celtic manager Neil Lennon remarked he had been as surprised as anyone by the decision to award a penalty kick.

Hearts were seen more as an attacking force in the second half and equalised just before the hour mark when Jason Holt struck a low shot from the edge of the penalty area which evaded Forster to level the score. Tynecastle erupted and having defeated both Hibernian and Aberdeen with huge encouragement from a vociferous home support, one sensed Gary Locke’s youngsters could perhaps do it again. However, parity lasted just six minutes when Stokes raced through the Hearts defence to restore the visitors’ lead.

Hearts had appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Collum moments later in an incident that didn’t look dissimilar to the one which gave Celtic their first half lead. The home side’s frustration turned to despair when Celtic wrapped up the three points with four minutes left when new signing Pukki headed home their third goal.

Thus, Hearts unbeaten home record ended but there were many plus points for Gary Locke. The Maroons gave as good as they got for much of the game and although there can be no denying Celtic deserved to win the game, Hearts youngsters can take much encouragement despite having to chase the game after that controversial opening goal.

Hearts: Macdonald; McHattie; Wilson; McGowan; McKay; Hamill; Robinson; Walker; Holt; Paterson; B. King.

Celtic: Forster; Izaguirre; Ambrose; van Dijk; Lustwig; Matthews; Brown; Boerrigter; Ledley; Stokes; Commons.

Referee: Willie Collum

Att: 15,928

Top man: The impressive Kevin McHattie is a player who seems to be much improved this season.

                 

Psycho-Babble?

 

It’s remarkable to think it’s nearly 32 years since the death of one of Scottish football’s greatest managers – Bill Shankly. I recently watched a documentary on television about the man from the Ayrshire mining village of Glenbuck who became a Liverpool legend and will forever be revered in the red half of Merseyside.

It was fascinating to hear how the man who transformed Liverpool from Second Division also-rans to English League champions in the mid-1960s used psychology to inspire his players. Former England international Kevin Keegan spoke about when he joined Liverpool from Scunthorpe United in 1971 and was up against West Ham United and their England World Cup winning stars such as Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore. Shankly didn’t want the young Keegan to feel overawed and had a quiet word with his starlet as the teams prepared in the dressing room shortly before kick off. The wily Scot told Keegan that Moore was now past his best, and suspected the England captain had been out clubbing the night before as he was sure he was limping. Liverpool won 4-1 that afternoon with Keegan getting on the scoresheet. After the game, Shanks applauded Keegan for his performance, adding he had just played against the best defender in the country who was at the top of his game. Not quite how he had described the England star two hours earlier but his pre-match diatribe had the desired effect!

It brought to mind the story former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby was often fond of regaling. Decades ago there was no internet and no instant communication the way there is today. Busby, another great Scot, told how Shankly telephoned him after a midweek game between Liverpool and Sheffield United. Despite their rivalry, Shankly and Busby were good friends and Shanks, mindful of the fact United were due to play the Yorkshire team in a forthcoming fixture, thought it best he telephoned Busby with some advice.

‘You know, Matt, I was really impressed by Sheffield United tonight’ said Shankly. ‘They are very skilful, they have great strength, pace and spirit. In my view, they are one of the best teams in the country’. Somewhat perplexed by this, Busby assumed Liverpool had lost and his compatriot was getting his excuses in early. ‘So, Bill’ Busby said in that famous drawl, ‘I take it your boys lost tonight then?’ ‘Oh, no’ replied Shanks, ‘we won 5-1…’ And the marker had been laid!

Perhaps the most famous exponent of what is now termed ‘mind games’ is another famous Scot who also brought greatness to Manchester United - Sir Alex Ferguson. He famously ‘got inside the head’ of the aforementioned Kevin Keegan when the perm-haired Englishman was manager of Newcastle United in the mid-1990s and the Geordies were top of the English Premiership table. Ferguson intimated that some teams didn’t try as hard against Newcastle as they did against the Red Devils and this had helped the Magpies establish a decent lead at the top of the table. This infuriated Keegan – as Ferguson had intended – and the effect it had on the mindset of the players helped derail Newcastle’s journey to a first English League championship since Moses was a boy. Once doubt sets in it’s difficult to get rid of it.

This week Celtic head for the San Siro and the might of Milan in the Champions League. Few will give Neil Lennon’s side a chance but the Hoops defied the odds not so long ago by beating Barcelona. Lennon will surely use psychology to try and gain an advantage over his more illustrious opponents. If only Bill Shankly were still around to pop into the Celtic dressing room prior to kick-off…!

 

Mike Smith

Twitter @Mike1874

Heart of Midlothian 2 Celtic 0

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Sunday 2 October 2011

A recurring theme in a book I'm working on - Hearts 50 Greatest Games (book plug number 94)  - is the inconsistency that has blighted Hearts throughout the years. It seems season 2011/12 is proving to be just like any other. After poor performances against Ayr United in the Scottish Communities League Cup and St. Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank SPL, Hearts at last gave their long-suffering supporters something to cheer with a well-deserved victory over Celtic.

Heavy overnight rain in Edinburgh - a couple of days after temperatures in the capital were in the mid 70s - cast some doubt as to whether the game would go ahead but the Tynecastle pitch passed a 10.45am pitch inspection and battle commenced two hours later.

Hearts manager Paulo Sergio made some changes with David Templeton and Rudi Skacel coming in to give the team some much needed width. Just four minutes had gone when the hugely impressive Ryan Stevenson was left unmarked in the Celtic penalty area and the former Ayr United man's header was saved by Forster. Marius Zaliukas then hit the post with a shot from the edge of the penalty box as Hearts began to believe in themselves. However, Celtic should have taken the lead after 20 minutes but Bangura's header was not strong enough to beat Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald.

The game swung from end to end but it seemed a goal would not arrive - until the 58th minute. David Templeton struggled to control a cross from Jamie Hamill but the ball fell to Rudi Skacel who drilled it home for the opening goal. The Czech Republic star was about to be substituted but his well taken goal gave him a stay of execution. Minutes later, Celtic's Kris Commons was shown a straight red card by referee Craig Thomson after a lunge on Mrowiec and the game ran away from the visitors.

Hearts clinched a fine win ten minutes from the end when David Templeton chased a ball inside the Celtic penalty box before cleverly back-heeling a pass to Ryan Stevenson. 'Stevo' showed great composure as he took the ball round Forster before firing into the net to seal Hearts victory.

Hearts are now fourth in the Clydesdale Bank SPL. Under Paulo Sergio, The Maroons have won four games at Tynecastle and have yet to concede a goal. It's a different story altogether away from Gorgie - something the manager knows he has to address if Hearts are to make anything of this season.

Top man: Ryan Stevenson. He may not be the most gifted player ever to wear maroon, but no one works harder or is more committed. And he took his goal well.

Respect - Just a Little Bit?

A couple of weeks ago it seemed as if war had broken out in Scottish football. Celtic and Rangers met for what seemed like the umpteenth time this season, this time in the Scottish Cup and having drawn at Ibrox, the sides reconvened at Celtic Park for the replay. The furore during and at the end of this game tainted Scottish football further which, given the state of the game in this country, was the last thing the football authorities needed. Next weekend the Old Firm meet yet again - this time in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final at Hampden Park - and despite the nondescript nature of this competition, this may turn out to be one of the most important Old Firm fixtures in years.

The Scottish Cup debacle prompted a summit by Scotland’s First Minister, no less, and involved the chief executives of Celtic and Rangers as well as high-ranking officials from Strathclyde Police. I’m not sure quite what this achieved, particularly as Celtic’s Peter Lawell and Rangers Martin Bain were both of the opinion there was little more their clubs could do in relation to the abhorrent violence from supporters of both clubs that usually occurs in the aftermath of almost every Old Firm fixture both in the vicinity of Celtic Park/Ibrox and domestic incidents across Glasgow and beyond as mindless morons take the consequences of defeat out on those they supposedly love and cherish. However, we live in an age when politicians have to be seen to be doing something when a crisis blows, particularly when there’s an election on the horizon…

Bigotry, sectarianism and its associated hatred has been a poison that has blighted not just Scottish football but society in this country for far too many years. And, for years, the same question has been asked by far more qualified people than I - what can be done to eradicate it? Disturbingly it seems there is no definitive answer. Worse, it seems to many observers this cancer on Scots society will never be eradicated.

In the 1970s football became a convenient outlet for hooliganism not only in Scotland but also around Europe. The seeds of social change, planted in the aftermath of the Second World War, harvested the right to be heard and more freedom for all. However, some morals such as decency, tolerance and respect for others were trampled underfoot in the process and hatred became more prevalent. When black footballers first made their presence felt in the UK at this time, racism was rife and much - but not all - of the nation was rightly appalled at the abuse the players received in what was supposed to be sporting arenas. There weren’t so many black players in Scotland as there were over the border but this didn’t mean Scottish football was immune to racist abuse. The treatment of the Rangers player Mark Walters in the late 1980s was sickening but he was far from alone in being subjected to this.

Thankfully, campaigns such as Kick Racism Out of Football and Show Racism the Red Card have proved effective and, thankfully, racist abuse at football games in Scotland is rarely heard these days. With Scotland now a multi-cultural society, any purveyor of such abuse will almost certainly be pointed out to the police by decent, law-abiding fans and likely to be banned from football for life. Why, then, is sectarianism still rife in Scotland? And what can be done to try and address it?

Football showed its responsible face when it took the issue of racism full on. That remains a work in progress but few could doubt its effectiveness. Celtic, Rangers and the Scottish Football Association not only face a huge challenge in addressing sectarianism but they also have a huge responsibility. The competitive nature of football means tempers can flare at any time during a game. In most games, bust-ups between players and officials amount to little more than a few words of righteous condemnation in the press and a slap on the wrist from the football authorities. However, when it happens during Old Firm games there can be more far-reaching consequences.

At the end of the aforementioned Scottish Cup replay at Celtic Park, Celtic’s Neil Lennon and Rangers Ally McCoist squared up to each other right in front of the Sky television cameras, eager to broadcast such a confrontation around the world. We were told a couple of days later that before the evening was over Lennon and McCoist settled their differences over a bottle of beer. A pity, then, that no one thought it would be a good idea for the two men to meet publicly the following day, shake hands before a press conference, and apologise for their irresponsible behaviour. Instead, a baying press stoked the embers of their fiery joust and speculation reached fever pitch about what was said and by whom.

Celtic admitted that Neil Lennon had displayed behaviour that was not of the standard expected of a Celtic manager and he had apologised to the board of directors - although Peter Lawwell thought it wise to add ‘there were mitigating circumstances’. Across the city Martin Bain said Ally McCoist ‘was acutely aware of representing Rangers in the best possible way’ but then could not resist adding ‘he was acting in the defence of our players’

In fairness, the Old Firm have agreed on a six-point plan that came as a result of the summit chaired by the First Minister. However, I suspect I’m not the only person who thinks there is so much more Celtic and Rangers could do. How about Peter Lawwell and Martin Bain holding a joint press conference this week, in the build up to next Sunday’s cup final and both condemning bigotry and violent and abusive behaviour? Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist holding the cup together at Hampden, before a very public embrace? Each player leading out a child dressed in the opposition colours just before kick-off next Sunday? Players from both teams holding up ‘Kick Bigotry Out of Football’ cards in the same way as the Show Racism the Red card campaign?

Small things, I know. Nevertheless, respect for others and decency have to be resurrected in Scotland. For the sake of the game and society in general, there has to be a starting point somewhere.

Heart of Midlothian 2 Celtic 0

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Wednesday 10 November 2010 - Tynecastle

Hearts recorded only their second SPL win of the season at Tynecastle - and in doing so inflicted Celtic's second defeat in the SPL of the campaign. After The Hoops put nine goals past Aberdeen last weekend it's fair to say there was a bit of apprehension among some of the home support but in the end Hearts thoroughly deserved their victory.

After an initial flurry from the visitors, Hearts began to take control of the first half. After the tireless Stephen Elliott saw a header come back off the crossbar, Hearts were finally rewarded after half an hour when Ian Black's effort on goal from twenty yards out took a deflection off Majstorovic and spun over keeper Forster for the opening goal.

Some of the Celtic challenges were tousy to say the least and one such 'tackle' early in the second half earned Ledley a straight red card for a horrendous challenge on Ian Black. Seconds after, Rudi Skacel found David Templeton with a superb cross and the youngster, as he he did against Hibs at the weekend, finished superbly to put Hearts two goals ahead. When Hearts substitute Ryan Stevenson appeared to handle the ball in his own penalty box shortly afterwards we all expected a penalty kick to be awarded to Celtic. But referee Craig Thomson didn't blow his whistle and this was all too much for Celtic manager, the ever popular Neil Lennon, who was sent packing to the stand for his assertion that he didn't quite agree with that decision.

Hearts saw out the game safely enough for a valuable three points. However, the behaviour of some Celtic fans was quite simply a disgrace. Pro IRA songs and sectarian bile emanated from the Roseburn Stand all evening. Will this be included in referee Thomson's report? Don't hold your breath. Will Hearts make a stand against this outrageous and unacceptable behaviour and ban Celtic fans from their team's next visit to Tynecastle? Again, don't inhale.

For Hearts it was a fine performance and an excellent result, coming hard on the heels of last Sunday's victory at Easter Road. Man of the match for me was the excellent David Templeton. What a season this young lad is having.

Lest We Forget?

Remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country apparently cuts no ice with some Celtic supporters. And perhaps someone should get a spellchecker before their next 'protest'...

Heart of Midlothian 1 Celtic 2

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Sunday 9 May 2010 - Tynecastle

This afternoon the curtain finally came down on a long and at times turbulent season for Hearts. That it ended with another defeat is hardly surprising but at least there were signs against Celtic that there will be an improvement next season.

With Hearts failing to win against Dundee United last Wednesday - meaning no European football for the maroons next season - and Celtic having lost the title some time ago, there was nothing at stake this afternoon. However, it was still a half decent game.

A mistake by Hearts captain Zaliukas let Robbie Keane through to open the scoring after twenty-three minutes. The Lithuanian made amends by scoring Hearts equaliser with a fine shot from just inside the penalty box just before half-time and it was no more than the home side deserved.

After young David Templeton came close to giving Hearts the lead early in the second half, Celtic took the lead on the hour mark when Chinese international Zhi volleyed home a fine effort which left home keeper MacDonald helpless. There endeth the scoring - and the season.

Jim Jefferies will spend much of the summer rebuilding the Hearts team. He's done this several times before, usually with success. Hopefully, Vladimir Romanov will back his judgement and we will see the departure of the likes of Christian Nade and others who have done little for the club.

Until August then...

Robbie Keane Joins Celtic

You may have missed the news that Robbie Keane has joined Celtic - the press have scarcely mentioned it...Apparently he joined on Monday on loan until the end of the season.

So I assume he's on his way back to Tottenham Hotspur then...

Scottish League Cup Final 1971

Scottish League Cup Final 1971

Partick Thistle 4 Celtic 1

Occasionally the eyes of the football world are widened with astonishment by a particular result or performance which, thankfully, reinforces the theory that anything can happen when eleven men face eleven men. Whilst, over an arduous League campaign, the cream invariably rises to the top, the fascination of cup competitions undoubtedly encourages the supporters of the so called lesser teams to think that this might just be their day. This theory has particular credence north of the border where the names of Celtic and Rangers are etched over much of the silverware. And so it proved in spectacular style on October 23rd 1971 for the die-hards of Partick Thistle - for in a sensational Scottish League Cup final this, in the words of Churchill, was to prove their finest hour.

Thistle were - some say still are - the great enigmas of Scottish football. That they started season 1971-72 rather tentatively was no great surprise - after all they had been newly-promoted from the Second Division where only a few months before they had sampled the delights of travelling to Brechin, Stranraer and Stenhousemuir. Now that they were back in the big time, there was the usual optimism at Firhill but, if the truth be told, consolidation would be the main objective. The League Cup draw for the new season, however, had created a stir because in the opening sectional round Celtic and Rangers had been drawn in the same group - and with only one team qualifying for the knock-out stages the opportunity was there for a provincial club to reach a Hampden Cup final. Partick Thistle were drawn with Arbroath, East Fife and Raith Rovers but, as unpredictable as ever, the Glasgow side stumbled across the finishing line rather than with the expected sprint.

Indeed Thistle had to beat Alloa Athletic in a play-off to claim their place in the last eight. When they lost the first leg of the quarter final 2-0 to an impressive St. Johnstone side -who had reached the final themselves two years earlier - it seemed the end of the road. But the fiery passion of the Maryhill club's support was rekindled again as the Jags won the return leg 5-1 to claim their place in the semi-finals. It was an odd looking last four in what had already been a remarkable League Cup - the semi-finalists were Thistle, Celtic, St Mirren and Falkirk.

Thistle manager Davie McParland knew if his side could avoid the green machine in the draw there may never be a greater chance of glory. His prayers were answered when Thistle's name came out of the hat with Falkirk and the Jags duly claimed their first cup final appearance for thirteen years by winning the Hampden semi-final 2-0.Predictably their opponents in the final were to be Celtic - League champions since 1965 and competing in a remarkable eighth successive League Cup final.

Not surprisingly the bookmakers made Celtic odds on while you could have named any price you wished for Thistle. It seemed that Jock Stein's men needed only to turn up at the national stadium to collect yet another trophy - but as the teams ran out before a crowd of nearly 63,000 on that late autumn day Thistle had other plans.

Celtic: Williams, Hay, Gemmell, Murdoch, Connelly, Brogan, Johnstone, Dalglish, Hood, Callaghan and Macari.

Partick Thistle: Rough, Hansen, Forsyth, Glavin, Campbell, Strachan, McQuade, Coulston, Bone, Rae and Lawrie.

The loss through injury of captain Billy McNeill was a blow to Celtic and his absence seemed to instill an uncertainty in the Parkhead defence. Jimmy Bone went close for Thistle in the opening minutes and this seemed to signal to the men from Maryhill that Celtic were there for the taking. In the ninth minute the Celtic defence failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Thistle captain Alex Rae who struck a right foot shot from eighteen yards which screamed past goalkeeper Williams. 1-0 to Thistle! A start no one predicted but surely Celtic would wake up from their lethargy and strike back? Six minutes later there was another goal - and it was 2-0 to Thistle!

Bobby Lawrie collected the ball from Bone, ghosted past Davie Hay as if he was not there, and cracked a tremendous angled shot beyond Williams. Barely quarter of an hour gone and the crowd began to sense something remarkable was about to happen. Even more so when Celtic's mercurial winger Jimmy Johnstone had to leave the field with an ankle injury, to be replaced by full-back Jim Craig. This meant switching Davie Hay into midfield, and while Celtic were still sorting themselves out Thistle, remarkably, were launching wave after wave of attacks. When the ball swung into the box the Celtic defence staged their own version of "after you Claude". Dennis McQuade did not hang about and poked the ball home from six yards. 3-0 to Thistle!

The Hampden crowd were stunned. The Celtic players looked on in disbelief and their torment was not over yet. Six minutes later Thistle were awarded a free kick midway inside the Celtic half. Bobby Lawrie took it quickly and passed to Jimmy Bone. The big centre forward couldn't believe his luck as he was allowed the freedom of Hampden to direct the ball past an equally disbelieving Evan Williams. 4-0 to Thistle!

When the half time whistle sounded, the Thistle players marched off to a tumultuous reception from their outnumbered but vociferous support. The Celtic end stood in stunned silence as if collectively in a bad dream. Public address announcers at grounds throughout Scotland were the subject of ridicule as they read out the half-time score to supporters attending various League fixtures around the country. Partick Thistle 4 Celtic 0 was greeted with undisguised derision. When the second half kicked off, there -was only one option left for Celtic.

The rollicking they received from manager Jock Stein at the interval may -well have registered on the Richter Scale and they set about trying to repair the damage. Murdoch, Dalglish and Macari all had excellent chances - but a combination of bad luck and inspired goalkeeping from young Alan Rough kept the Celts out until the 70th minute when Kenny Dalglish finally found the net. The Celtic onslaught grew even more ferocious in the last twenty minutes but Thistle held on for a famous 4-1 victory over a side who were not only Scottish champions but also amongst the best in Europe.

Jock Stein was magnanimous in defeat afterwards. While admitting Celtic committed some shocking errors in defence, he acknowledged that, on the day, Thistle were the better team and played some sparkling football.Thistle's jubilant manager, Davie McParland, paid tribute to every one of his players and said it was the greatest day of his life. The Maryhill area of Glasgow came to a standstill that Saturday night as thousands of red and yellow bedecked Thistle fans thronged the streets to see their heroes come home with the cup - Partick's first major honour for precisely fifty years. In keeping with the clubs rather slapstick image, when the officials got back to the Firhill ground proudly clasping the League Cup there were a few minutes delay before they could enter the club offices. Someone, it transpired, had misplaced the key! Once the triumphant players gained admission to their own ground the celebrations went on well into the night.Indeed one wonders if the party lasted for seven nights - the following Saturday Thistle lost a League game 7-2 to Aberdeen...

The Thistle team that overwhelmed Celtic made such an impression that Alan Rough, John Hansen, Alex Forsyth, Ronnie Glavin and Jimmy Bone were all to make future appearances for Scotland, albeit that most of them had moved on to other clubs before international duty was to call. However Alan Rough was to become Thistle's most capped player of all time and John Hansen's younger brother was about to make his debut in Thistle colours - Alan Hansen esquire would certainly go on to make a name for himself. Jimmy Bone and Ronnie Glavin would, in time, sign for Celtic but no matter what else those eleven players would do with their careers, they would forever be remembered for that incredible day when Partick Thistle, butt of many a music hall joke, got the last laugh on the biggest stage of all...

Scottish League Cup Final 1974

Celtic 6 Hibernian 3, Scottish League Cup Final 1974

The early part of the 1970's saw a "gang of four" dominate the competition for honours in Scottish football. Naturally this included the Old Firm - a rampant Celtic side in the midst of winning a record nine consecutive League championships and a Rangers team triumphant in the European Cup Winners Cup of 1972. But there were also a notable contribution from Hibernian and Aberdeen who won the League Cup and Scottish Cup respectively at the start of the decade. When Celtic and Hibernian met in the 1974 League Cup final at Hampden Park it was a re-run of the final two years previously which saw the Edinburgh club lift their first trophy since winning the Championship in 1952. The teams had also met in the 1972 Scottish Cup final but with calamitous consequences for Hibernian - they lost 6-1 (a record equalling reverse for a Scottish Cup final in Scotland). Despite the fact that this was probably the best Hibernian team in twenty years, it was Celtic who were clear favourites to lift the trophy for the eighth time since the competition's inception in 1946. After all, Jock Stein's men had inflicted a heavy League defeat on the Edinburgh greens just a week prior to the final and, even more disheartening for the team from the capital city, Hibernian were just back from Turin where they had seen their UEFA Cup hopes destroyed in a crushing defeat from Juventus.

Considering it was two of the top teams in the country contesting the final, there was a rather disappointing attendance of a little under 54,000 at Hampden on an admittedly cold October afternoon. There were the usual optimistic noises from both camps but there were those who thought that Celtic, for all their dominance in League championships since the mid sixties, might suffer from something of a psychological complex as far as the League Cup was concerned - it was an irritation to Jock Stein that they had lost the last four finals, most spectacularly to Partick Thistle to the tune of four goals to one in 1971. Would their recent failure in this competition prey on their minds? Certainly, despite the recent experiences which had beset them, there was a confident air in the Hibernian camp. So there was plenty of anticipation as the teams lined up as follows:

Celtic: Hunter; McGrain; Brogan; Murray; McNeill; McCluskey; Johnstone; Hood; Deans; Dalglish and Wilson.

Hibernian: McArthur; Brownlie; Bremner; Stanton; Spalding; Blackley; Edwards; Cropley; Harper; Munro and Duncan.

The opening minutes contained enough to suggest there was to be real drama, and indeed one of the most incredible Cup finals ever witnessed at the old stadium was about to unfold. After the customary early exchanges it was Hibernian who had the first real chance in the fifth minute but Alex Edwards ballooned the ball over the bar from close range. Celtic's reply to this was swift — and clinical. Jimmy Johnstone scored with a precise finish after an equally precise pass from young Dalglish for whom the occasion seemed tailor made. Johnstone was one of those frustrating players. On his day he could equal Best, Cruyff, some said even Pele — but on other days he was almost disinterested and it was clear that when Johnstone was on form, Celtic were on form and the combination could prove awesome. Sadly for Hibernian this proved to be one of those days when the little winger was at his best and he was in the mood to make them suffer as a consequence.

After a Steve Murray "goal" -was disallowed for offside, Celtic went two ahead ten minutes before half time when a long Pat McCluskey pass from defence found John "Dixie" Deans and the ex-Motherwell man ran through to slip the ball past goalkeeper McArthur. It seemed, at this stage, a question of how many? Dejected Hibernian supporters remembered with horror the Scottish Cup final of 1972 but, in forty three minutes, Joe Harper gave the Easter Road men a lifeline by finishing off some good work by Stanton and Cropley and so it was 2-1 for Celtic at half time. Remarkably the second half began almost as a carbon copy of the first. Joe Harper had a great chance to equalise seconds after the re-start but dithered at the last minute and the chance was gone. Typically, Celtic went straight up the field where Paul Wilson scored number three after being fed by Johnstone. Again Hibernian fought back. After an hour's play, Joe Harper — the little striker seemed to be everywhere — pounced on a loose ball, while a confused Celtic defence looked on, to make it 3-2.

The Hampden crowd roared its approval and four minutes later the Celtic support was making all the noise as Deans scored his second after getting the better of defender John Blackley. A further two minutes and Deans had scored an astonishing hat-trick — a curious goal as Deans knew little about it! A wayward cross from Johnstone smacked off his head and the ball could have ended anywhere - but it was indicative of Hibernian's day that it flew into their goal. 5-2 to Celtic.There had rarely been a final like it -and there was still more drama to come.

Steve Murray made it six after more fine play by Dalglish and Hibernian looked, by now, a sorry lot. But Joe Harper was determined to make a little bit of history for himself. With just over six minutes left he scored a third consolation goal - and so became the first man to score a hat-trick in a Cup final and end up on the losing side.The final score was 6-3 to Celtic and as captain Billy McNeill lifted the League Cup aloft he knew he had just taken part in one of the most remarkable Cup finals ever seen at Hampden. One hat-trick man, Dixie Deans, sportingly consoled another, a despondent Joe Harper, after the game. Deans himself had known the anguish of failure when he had missed a crucial spot kick during a penalty shoot-out in the European Cup semi-final against Inter Milan a couple of seasons before.

It was of little consolation for Hibernian that no other team in Scotland could have lived with Celtic that day — indeed not many in Europe could have done either. Manager Eddie Turnbull admitted as much afterwards when he said he was proud of his team - deep down he realised that Hibernian could not have played much better than they did. A couple of players from the final went on the achieve big things in England. Des Bremner went on to win a European Cup winners medal with Aston Villa in the early 1980's while a certain Mr Dalglish went on to Liverpool...

Season 1974-75 was to prove to be a disappointment for Celtic, however, despite the fact that they had also won the Scottish Cup in what was Billy McNeill's last appearance for the club. They had lost the League Championship for the first time since 1965 and, to make matters worse, it was their arch rivals Rangers who snatched it from them. So, consequently, the team who won one of the highest scoring Cup finals in history, was about to be broken up. Of the starting eleven only Danny McGrain was still around when Billy McNeill returned to the club as manager four years later.

For Hibernian, it was downhill from here until the club faced a hostile takeover bid from Hearts chairman Wallace Mercer in 1990 before eventually stabilising. Manager Eddie Turnbull left the club and, although there was a Scottish Cup final appearance in 1979 they lost to Rangers after two replays -the club suffered the ignominy of relegation the year after. Hat-trick man Joe Harper returned to his first love Aberdeen, in 1976 and, most bitterly of all in the eyes of the supporters, captain Pat Stanton left for Celtic a year later.

For the supporters of both clubs, however, the memory of a nine goal Cup final lingers on. And for Joe Harper, whose emotions during those ninety minutes endured more ups and downs than a liftman's nightmare, the memories of that hat-trick will leave more than a bitter taste...

The Determination of the Old Firm

Determination on the faces of two Old Firm defenders in the 1977 Scottish Cup Final. Rangers Colin Jackson and Celtic's Roddy McDonald who would go on to play for Heart of Midlothian.

An Andy Lynch penalty would be enough to give Celtic the trophy.

What's the Score?

We live in an age where communication is instant. Indeed, we demand it to be so. Satellite technology and the advance of the internet and mobile phones means that no matter where you are in the world you can have almost instant access to any sporting event worth its salt. It’s a far cry from when I first began going to football back in the late 1960s.

Back then, satellite technology was in its infancy. Yes, the USA were putting men on the moon but life in Scotland was literally more down to earth. Football was different four decades ago. There were only two divisions, First and Second with eighteen teams in the top flight. Teams would play each other just twice a season in the league and if my team Hearts were playing away - always on a Saturday afternoon in the days before games were covered live on television - the reserve team would be playing our opponents reserve team at Tynecastle.

Hearts struggled throughout the 1970s and attendances at Tynecastle were about half what they are now. On cold winter afternoons with a biting wind and lashing rain fans would huddle in the old Tynecastle shed urging on the likes of Rab Prentice, Drew Busby and Donald Ford. Unless you had a transistor radio with you - it’s a seventies thing, younger readers - getting the half-time scores from other games usually meant forking out a shilling (five pence) for a programme (in the days before they were called match day magazines). The other fixtures would be printed with capital letters next to them and a man would climb the half-time scoreboard on the Gorgie Road terracing slotting numbers on the board. For example, next to the letter A he would place 1-1. A quick look at the programme would show Aberdeen were drawing at home to Hibernian…

I was living in Aberdeen in 1971 when Partick Thistle recorded their famous League Cup Final triumph over Celtic, who were then one of the best clubs in Europe. I was at Pittodrie with a friend and there were huge hoots of derision when the fella on the half-time scoreboard on the then wide open Pittodrie terracing put 4-0 next to the letter A. The silly man must have got the score the wrong way round we assumed. As if Thistle would be four nil up against Celtic at half time we chortled. Astonishingly, it was true…

Back in the 1970s, the term mobile phone meant someone picking up their old dialling contraption and throwing it across the living room on discovering on BBC1’s Grandstand results service that their team had lost at Arbroath. In fact, a good many households didn’t even have a telephone - we didn’t get one in our house until 1976. The internet was something connected with the space agency NASA. The radio was the main source of getting updated football scores and tuning into Radio Scotland was a challenge in itself. No digital radio then, of course. It was VHF and medium wave and I seem to recall Radio Scotland being an extension of BBC Radio Four. So much so, that Sportsound - or Sportsreel I think it was called back then - didn’t start until 3.30pm on a Saturday afternoon. When I lived in Aberdeen as a child I used to spend an anxious half an hour from three o-clock on a Saturday wondering how the mighty - okay this was the 1970s so not so mighty - Jambos were getting on. It was at this time my pessimistic streak developed and has remained with me to this day. Hearts away to Dumbarton? Ach, they’ll skoosh it. By half past three, we’re bound to be at least three goals ahead. Then the dulcet tones of presenter Brian Marjoriebanks would come on and after updating us on Celtic and Rangers first - some things never change - eventually he would advise ‘and the latest from Boghead is that Dumbarton lead Hearts by a goal to nil…’ I soon learned to accept crushing disappointment as a way of life. As my father used to say to me ‘well, son, you chose to follow Hearts…’

Those of us who grew up in the 1970s and were avid football fans will remember the magnificent David Francey as Radio Scotland’s commentator supreme. Francey sounded like a loveable grandad, someone who would offer you sweets when you were expressly forbidden to have anything to eat before supper. ‘Oh and there’s a drive from the edge of the penalty box which has just whistled past the left hand post of Jim Cruickshank’ - his commentary often gave us better pictures that Archie Macpherson did in the edited television highlights on Saturday evening. Having said that, taking a radio to the game to get the other scores was often fraught with danger. When Hearts needed just a point from that game at Dens Park on the final day of season 1985-86 and hoped Celtic wouldn’t get the avalanche of goals they needed at St. Mirren to address their inferior goal difference the fella standing in front of me at Dundee dared to relay the news that The Hoops were four nil ahead at half-time. He was either very brave or very stupid depending on your view…

When the dust had settled on a Saturday afternoon and all the results were in the Hearts result would determine whether I nipped down the road to the local newsagent for a copy of the Saturday sports paper which was rushed out shortly after five o’clock and had all the results and brief match reports from the top games. Nearly every city had one. In Edinburgh it was the Pink News, printed on horrendous pink paper; in Aberdeen it was the Green Final printed on - well, you get the picture. After scouring through the paper to get scores and reports your hands were usually black with newsprint. I still recall the air of anticipation waiting in the newsagents for the screeching sound of the delivery van whose driver would lob a freshly printed batch of papers toward the door of the shop with the accuracy of a Danny McGrain throw in.

We forty something fans are often accused of looking at the past through rose-tinted - or in my case maroon-tinted spectacles. However, I can’t deny there were some truly awful games at Tynecastle three decades and more ago. Moreover, it’s difficult to imagine going to games now without having instant access to other scores through mobile phone and satellite technology.
However, there was an innocence about the days before mass technology I miss. The days before everything was sponsored, strips were emblazoned with names and most of us actually stood on the terracing for ninety minutes. On the other hand I don’t miss standing on the wide-open terracings in the middle of winter with the rain running down the back of your neck; the pissheads who stumbled through the turnstyles at 2.55pm having been in the pub for the past three hours and who would urinate down the back of your leg; or the ever present threat of violence that meant when you wore your team’s scarf walking down the road you were asking for a kicking.

Something I’ll hang on to next time Christian Nade’s attempt on goal knocks a Blackberry from the hands of a fan in row 25 of the Gorgie Stand…