For sheer drama and excitement, 1974 was a stand-out year for Celtic

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·26 de outubro de 2024

For sheer drama and excitement, 1974 was a stand-out year for Celtic

Saturday 26 October marks 50 years since one of Celtic’s most memorable cup finals. And in fact, the entire calendar year of 1974 was a remarkable one for the Celts…

Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

On 26 October 1974, the Bhoys made their way to Hampden to take on Hibernian in the League Cup Final. This was by no means an assured victory for the Bhoys. Celtic had played in every League Cup Final since 1970 – and lost them all, falling to Rangers, Partick Thistle, Dundee – and also Hibs.

Vídeos OneFootball

Only 54,000 fans attended, small by the standards of the time. However, those that were there saw an amazing game. Celtic nerves were settled early thanks to a Jimmy Johnstone goal, and then Dixie Deans doubled the Hoops’ lead. However, just before half-time, Joe Harper brought Hibs back into it.

Dixie Deans celebrates after scoring for Celtic. Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

Dixie Dean’s hat-trick sealed his place in Celtic folklore

Into the second half, Celtic’s two-goal lead was restored almost immediately, thanks to Paul Wilson, but Harper’s second goal again pegged back the Celts. A quick fire goal from Dixie Deans made it 4-2 to Celtic, and shortly after he added another to complete his hat-trick. When Stevie Murray scored to make it 6-2, it was game over, although Joe Harper did add a third to complete his own hat-trick.

Dixie Dean’s hat-trick sealed his place in Celtic folklore. He is the only man in Celtic – and Scottish football – history to have done this in both Scottish Cup and League Cup finals. In the 1972 Scottish Cup Final, it was again Hibs who fell to three Deans goals, losing 6-1 overall.

In fact, this was just the latest in a series of unforgettable events for Celtic in 1974.

Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

This was a memorable day

The year started with one notable calendar moment for the Celts. On 27 January 1974, Celtic entertained Clydebank in the Scottish Cup, with the Hoops easily winning 6-1. This was a memorable day as it was the first ever Sunday game in Celtic’s history.

April was a month of controversy and success for the Hoops. The club had continued their fine European record by again reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup, the fourth time they had done so since 1967. Their opponents were Atletico Madrid. It proved to be one of the most notorious games in Celtic’s history.

On 10 April, Celtic had drawn 0-0 with the Spanish side, but that fixture is best recalled for the brutal nature of Madrid’s game, including three Spanish players being sent off. Despite this, the Bhoys could not find a breakthrough.

Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

The thuggish actions of Atletico

The thuggish actions of Atletico had achieved their own particular goal; subduing Celtic and creating a certain fear ahead of the return leg. In this fixture, the Hoops would match their Spanish hosts for much of the game but eventually fall to two late goals. At least justice was eventually done when Bayern Munich beat Atletico 4-0 to claim the trophy.

Days later however, Celtic’s mood was greatly improved during a trip to Brockville. Playing against Falkirk, the Bhoys knew that a single point was enough to claim the title. And this was not just a normal championship win; this was the Celtic’s ninth title in a row, then a joint world record.

Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

Celtic’s nine-in-a-row run was all the more remarkable

Celtic’s nine-in-a-row run was all the more remarkable given their previous history. From 1966 to 1974, the Bhoys won the league each year, nine in total. That was as many titles as Celtic had won in the half century prior to 1966. Celtic had previously won six titles in a row from 1905 to 1910, but this 1960s and 1970s run massively exceeded this. The Bhoys would of course replicate this achievement from 2012 to 2020.

The following month saw the Scottish Cup once more rest in Paradise. The Celts met Dundee United, who were playing in their first ever Scottish Cup Final. In front of 76,000 fans, Celtic claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory. This was the Bhoys’ 23rd time taking home the Scottish Cup.

Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

Celtic took on Liverpool in a testimonial for Ron Yeats

And the end of the season saw another small chapter added to Celtic’s story. Celtic took on Liverpool in a testimonial for Ron Yeats. In amongst the Celtic team was one very famous guest player. The legendary Bobby Charlton, European Cup Winner with Man Utd and World Cup winner with England pulled on the Hoops, and scored as Celtic won 4-1.

This makes Charlton the first World Cup winner to have played for Celtic, albeit not in a competitive game. Since then, Juninho has also appeared for Celtic and won the 2002 World Cup, whilst Edson Braafheid played for the Netherlands as they lost the 2010 final.

Another piece of silverware for the Celtic Park trophy room

The start of the 1974-75 season brought with it another piece of silverware for the Celtic Park trophy room. The Drybrough Cup was a pre-season tournament which ran in the 1970s and early-1980s. It brought together the top four scoring teams in the First Division and Second Division. Celtic featured in all five 1970s finals – and lost all but one.

Fortunately, the 1974 final was the one moment of cheer that Celts had in the competition. After beating Airdrie and then Dundee, Celtic took on old rivals Rangers at Hampden Park on 3 August 1974.

Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

A significant achievement for Paul Wilson

It proved to be an exciting match, with Stevie Murray scoring for the Bhoys before Scott equalized for the Ibrox side. In extra time, Paul Wilson looked to have won the cup for Celtic until a late Pat McCluskey own-goal took the match to penalties. Denis Connaghan in Celtic’s goal was the hero, saving two penalties as the Bhoys won 4-2 to take home the Drybrough Cup.

The match was also one small part of a significant achievement for Paul Wilson. Wilson – born in India but a Scottish internationalist – scored for Celtic in four separate Hampden finals in 1974-75; the Drybrough Cup, Glasgow Cup, Scottish Cup and League Cup.

This helped Wilson and his teammates claim winners’ medals in the Drybrough, League and Scottish Cups. In fact, Celtic were unbeaten overall. The Glasgow Cup Final ended in a 2-2 draw with Rangers but the match was never replayed.

Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

Some significant moments for individual Celtic players

1974 also witnessed some significant moments for individual Celtic players. In August, Billy McNeill’s testimonial game against Liverpool – which ended 1-1 – marked the start of Cesar’s final season as a Celtic player. McNeill remains one of the most celebrated players in the club’s long history, famous especially for his 1967 trophy lift in Lisbon.

George Connolly’s 1974 story was a much sadder one. Connolly – part of the Quality Street Gang of emerging young talent – was considered by many to be the finest prospect seen at Celtic Park for many a year.

The demands and fame associated with Celtic

However, he struggled to deal with the demands and fame associated with Celtic, and walked out on the club midway through the season. Although he returned, this was the start of a pattern of disappearances which would ultimately limit what he might have achieved with the Celts.

Jock Stein with Dixie Deans. Hibs 3 Celtic 6 – Scottish League Cup Final, 26 October 1974. Hampden Park, Photos The Celtic Wiki

Few periods can match the breathlessness of the Celts and 1974

The end of 1974 saw an unusual – and high profile – game for the Celts. The Bhoys were chosen by Benfica to be their opponents in a special benefit match held for the United Nations children’s charity, UNICEF. At one point, it was suggested that Pele and Johann Cryuff would play in the game, but in the end neither could make it.

Held at Celtic Park on 11 December, the match attracted a good crowd of 30,000. They saw a fascinating match, which ended 3-3 after 90 minutes. The Celts fought back from two down, with goals from Pat McCluskey, Jimmy Johnstone and Ronnie Glavin. Penalties were held to decide on the winner of the special trophy, but sadly the Bhoys lost out 5-4.

Celtic’s history is littered with exciting seasons. Some years will stand out more than others, for the achievement and events of that time, not least 1967 and 1988. But for sheer drama and excitement, few periods can match the breathlessness of the Celts and 1974.

Matthew Marr

Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailhistory

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Manchester bound for the legends game. Reading material sorted. @hailhailhistory
– sábado, 7 de setembro de 2024

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star