Celtic Memories: 3-2 League Cup victory over Dunfermline in 1984 | OneFootball

Celtic is a nostalgic club with a great history that goes beyond football, but it is nice to rekindle memories of matches down the years with a sole focus on the action on the pitch. There are so many Celtic memories, and a wealth of exciting fixtures that have occurred throughout the decades. This article rewinds to 21 August 1984, when the Hoops traveled to East End Park for a second round League Cup clash with Dunfermline Athletic.

The average age of Celtic’s line up was 24 and Davie Hay made three changes from the previous game. Bonner wore the gloves, protected by Danny McGrain, Roy Aitken, Tom McAdam and Mark Reid. Willie McStay, Peter Grant, John Colquhoun and Tommy Burns coveted the midfield spots, while Brian McClair and Alan McInally occupied the forward positions.

Celtic got the fright of their lives, having to come from behind and relying on a late goal to beat the Second Division part timers. 22 year old John Watson, bought for £300 from Hong Kong Rangers, bagged two superb goals, the first of which gave the hosts the lead.

The Bhoys started well and missed some good early chances, then on 25 minutes a long ball was played beyond the Celtic defence, Watson outpaced McAdam and diverted the ball beyond Bonner as the Irish goalkeeper came off his line. The goal changed the complexion of the game as the Celts became rattled. They did eventually regain control though, but frustrations boiled over when Grant missed a 1 on1 just before the referee blew the whistle for half time.

Celtic relentlessly attacked the Pars, with a bombardment of the penalty area in the second half. After 61 minutes, McStay was subbed for Jim Melrose, a more attack minded player. Within four minutes, the game had turned on its head. Brian McClair and McInally got the goals, surely seeing Celtic through. The equaliser came when Burns overhit a cross which found McInally at the far post; the striker coolly squared to McClair, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from a couple of yards. The goal that gave the players real relief was also the result of a deep cross, this time it was Grant who delivered and McInally headed beyond the goalkeeper.

Many felt that the game was over at this juncture. The Pars had offered a valiant fight, but they had now fell behind and the higher class of opponent would now cruise onto victory. However, the Hoops were rocked again within a minute of taking the lead! It was then that Dunfermline surged forward from the restart and Bonner palmed out a low cross, which Watson tapped into an empty net, while being completely unmarked.

The match looked destined for extra time, until John Colquhoun scrambled down the right wing six minutes before the end of the 90. John flighted a cross in at that point, which McClair met on the full volley and thundered the ball into the roof of the net.

A topsy-turvy game finally came to an end with Celtic surviving the scare and winning 3-2. Only 9,000 fans were present that night – were you one of them? Elsewhere, that evening Aberdeen (favourites to win the competition) were dumped out by First Division side Airdrie, who Celtic would draw in the next round and beat 4-0.