March 1983: Willie Johnston head-butts Davie Provan

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·22 November 2025

March 1983: Willie Johnston head-butts Davie Provan

March 1983 began with a trip ‘doon the water’ to Cappielow, Murdo MacLeod with another excellent long-range shot to put Celts two ahead within fifteen minutes against doomed Morton…

Dom Sullivan had opened the scoring five minutes earlier with a deflected effort, his final goal for the club before being freed that summer and joining the Greenock side, where he would spend two seasons then head to Alloa.

An injury-time header from George McCluskey rounded off a good afternoon for the Champions.

OneFootball Videos

The next Saturday brought a much-anticipated Scottish Cup Quarter-final tie, against First Division leaders, Hearts.

The Edinburgh side were co-managed by former Ibrox idols Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine, who both played, as did a third ex-Ranger, the aforementioned Willie Johnston. The ‘ex-factor’ added an extra edge, attracting a larger-than-usual crowd of 25,000, including a sizeable Hearts support, who solely occupied the East Terracing for the first time.

There would be no repeat of the 1969 Parkhead hat-trick for Johnston, instead his game was ended by a moment of madness, as he followed through whilst taking a throw-in to head-butt Davie Provan, who collapsed to the ground, the linesman then advising referee Brian McGinlay to administer the nineteenth red card of a volatile career.

Incredibly, Johnston had just returned to the side following a three-match ban for an ordering off in the previous round. Amidst all the madness there was some football played, McLeod, McGarvey and a Nicholas double having Celts home and dry, before player-manager MacDonald replied late on.

The remaining March fixtures would not go so well for the Champions and would be instrumental in the final outcome.

As the media speculation regarding the future of prized-asset Nicholas increased, so the performances on the field seemed to suffer. Future Hoops hero, Albert Kidd, played a different role in the next game at Dens Park, opening the scoring midway through the first half, with Scrimgeour then adding a second ten minutes later.

McGarvey did pull a goal back within two minutes, following great work by Aitken, however, that was as good as would get for Celtic on the day and another critical two points were carelessly shed in the race for the flag.

In midweek, the final Glasgow derby of the season took place at Celtic Park, Nicholas going closest for Celts with a late shot which crashed back off the bar, in an uninspiring goalless draw.

Nevertheless, this point enabled the Bhoys to replace Aberdeen at the summit, courtesy of a marginally- better goal difference, Dundee United tucked a single point behind both with just nine games remaining.

That slender advantage was then lost at the weekend, where it took a late Provan goal to salvage a home draw against St Mirren, Fulton having earlier given the Buddies a shock lead.

Hail Hail!

Matt Corr

Follow Matt on X @Boola_vogue

Last orders for Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Last remaining copies of Celtic in the Eighties – get your copy now before it’s too late! Here’s what you get…

David Potter’s beautifully produced hardback book, the Celtic Historian final work before his passing. Your copy will also be personally signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain!
You’ll also receive a complimentary copy of another brilliant David Potter book – Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style.

Order Celtic in the Eighties from Celtic Star Books and we’ll automatically add Putting on the Style. Please note postage will only be charged on one book so there is no cost to you at all for the Willie Fernie biography.

These two books combined will make a brilliant Christmas present!

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Order at celticstarbooks.com

Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style. Available at celticstarbooks.com