Celtic On This Day – 20th March – David Potter’s Celtic Diary

SATURDAY 20 MARCH 1926 – Before a large crowd at neutral Tynecastle Park, Celtic beat Aberdeen 2-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Celtic are the better side and edge home 2-1 with goals from Jimmy McGrory and Tommy McInally, but the Aberdeen players and their supporters are convinced that McInally took the ball over the touchline before he crossed for McGrory to score with a header.

SATURDAY 20 MARCH 1965 – For the first time ever, Jock Stein plays Bobby Murdoch at right half instead of in the forward line, Perceptive supporters have been suggesting this for some time, for he is a powerful player who is better at winning the ball and sending it forward rather than waiting for the ball to come to him. The move is not a pronounced success in this 3-3 draw against Dundee at Dens Park, and in the next game, Bobby is back at inside right. But Jock is now convinced from the evidence of these two games that right half is the position for Bobby.

MONDAY 20 MARCH 1967 – Celtic today make short work of Falkirk whom they beat 5-0 at Celtic Park. Steve Chalmers scores two, Bertie Auld and John Hughes one each and (as often happens) Tommy Gemmell scores with a penalty kick giving it what he calls “the terrible dunt” and relying on sheer pace to beat the goalkeeper.

SUNDAY 20 MARCH 1988 – Celtic take a huge step towards the League Championship with a 2-1 defeat of Rangers at Ibrox before a crowd of 43, 650 fans and a huge terrestrial TV audience. Andy Walker and Paul McStay score the goals for Celtic, and although Jan Bartram scores one for Rangers, Celtic’s 2-1 margin of victory is a lot wider than it sounds.

SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2011 – Having beaten Rangers three times since the New Year, Celtic go into the League Cup final as favourites. Unfortunately they make the mistake of underestimating them, and Rangers are faster to the ball and more determined than Celtic. Joe Ledley scores Celtic’s goal in the 1-2 defeat on a day that too many Celtic players simply have an off day.

David Potter

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2. Daizen Maeda explains why his bald eagle look had to go

3. Head of referees Crawford Allan to quit amid ongoing VAR shambles