CELTIC BEAT EVERTON IN TROPHY FINAL:

Crum's goal in extra time

(The Scotsman - Saturday, 11th June 1938, page 23)

Celtic won the Empire Exhibition Football Tournament Trophy—a replica in silver of the Tower of Empire—by defeating Everton 1-0 in the final at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, last night, before an attendance of 82,000.

The Scottish League champions may have had fortunate moments in disposing of Sunderland and Heart of Midlothian on their way to the final but they were always just a little ahead of their English rivals last night, even though the game went to extra time and the margin was narrow.

Everton were typical of English clubs, lusty and possessed of clever passing skill with wingers and half-backs all able to work the touchline. Celtic, however, had the greater versatility and a bigger range of tactics.

The winners' right wing, despite the return of Delaney, did not work too well but Crum was a perpetual danger to the Everton goal, which had the majority of escapes. In defence, Lyon was in grand fettle, even with the task of holding Lawton, the Liverpool club's youthful and burly centre-forward, who excelled with his headwork.

STEVENSON'S BRILLIANT PATCHES

Everton did well up to a point, but were easily countered, particularly when they failed on the wings. Their half-backs fulfilled the primary purpose of linking the defence and attack, but lacked the individual enterprise which characterised every Celt when the opportunity arose.

Geldard got most opportunities, yet was mastered by Morrison. A bright feature in a hard game was the occasional spurts of brilliance by Stevenson, the ex-Ranger and Irish international player, but his patches of brilliance were marred by periods of indecision, as was the display of Sagar in goal.

Celtic's cup-fighting tradition has been seen throughout the tournament, and although failing to hold the Scottish Cup in the past season, they will have a new and permanent trophy to decorate a table at their jubilee celebrations next week.

TURN-ABOUT PLAY

Celtic, starting against the wind, were hard pressed for a spell, but Lawton's jousts with Kennaway were unproductive, and a series of free kicks gave Celtic a grip on the game, Divers being particularly prominent.

Some of Celtic's failings might have been due to the fact that they were also facing the sun. In defence however, they never wavered, until Paterson brought down Geldard and the ensuing play allowed even Cook to have a shot. Yet it was quick, turn-about play, and Sagar again got into trouble by leaving his goal for a hasty, punched clearance. Divers was hurt in this scrimmage, and was off for a short spell; nevertheless, Sagar had to deal with shots from Lyon and Paterson.

Celtic reopened briskly, and found the Everton defenders puzzled in the face of the sun. Wide passing took the Parkhead men in on Sagar with a regularity that confused the full backs. All that was required was a finishing shot. Crum’s persistence, however, led to Sagar being beaten for possession, and the ball going against the post.

Everton rallied, and Kennaway did well to clear good crosses from both wingers with the bustling Lawton in close attendance. In fact, deliberation by Boyes possibly lost Everton their first real chance.

Celtic got over that and Divers got the ball into the net, only to be whistled offside. For a while only Lawton's clever leading prevented Everton being hemmed in altogether, while weight and vigour kept Crum and Delaney at bay till full time.

SAGAR JUST FAILS

Celtic had the worse of the early stages-of the extra time. After ten minutes, McDonald burst through to give Crum a difficult pass that the centre hooked to the net. Sagar just failing to hold a hard spinning shot.

Celtic never looked like losing their lead after that, although they had one bad mix-up in defence. Stevenson did complete a nice movement by heading to the net, but he was badly offside.

Celtic—Kennaway; Hogg, and Morrison; Geatons, Lyon, and Paterson; Delaney, McDonald, Crum, Divers, and Murphy.
Everton—Sagar; Cook and Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, and Thomson; Geldard, Cunliffe, Lawton , Stevenson, and Boyes.
Referee—T. Thomson, Northumberland.

Celtic’s progress has been: — Sunderland 0-0; Sunderland 3-1; Hearts 1-0; Everton, 1-0.

The attendance of 82,000 last night brought the total for the tournament to approximately 350,000; well in excess of th6 250,000 anticipated—many thought somewhat optimistically .

At the close of the games the Earl of Elgin, president of the Exhibition Executive, presented the trophy to Lyon, captain of the winning side and also replicas to each of the players taking part in the final.


EXHIBITION FINAL THRILLS: Crum’s Goal in Extra Time
(The Glasgow Herald, June 11, 1938)

The Empire Exhibition football tournament was concluded last night at Ibrox Stadium before a crowd of 82,000. It was a magnificent finish to the series – a game of sustained interest, played at a tremendous pace, and at times intense excitement. Celtic had a greater degree of thrust in their attack to justify their narrow victory. Every player in this game of two hours’ duration gave of his utmost, and accordingly individual praise may be considered unnecessary.

FINE DEFENCES

Tribute, however, should be made to the exceptionally powerful defence of both teams. Kennaway, whose play had considerable bearing on Celtic’s progress to the final, had another grand match. His almost foolhardy save from Lawton will be often recalled. Lyon was the other outstanding player in the Parkhead defence. The three inside forwards bore the brunt of the forward work. The chief bulwark of the English team was their middle line. In positional play and defensive clearances they were superb. Sagar and his backs were also solid if not quite so spectacular.

EVERTON HANDICAPPED

An early injury to Cunliffe compelled his retirement for 10 minutes in the first half. He resumed, but gradually became noticeably lame. Everton missed his help forward. In the last hour of play he could go only half speed along the left touchline. Lawton was the best of the other four. Geldard was not so effective as Gillick was in the earlier ties. Everton began promisingly, their attack being precise and swift. Gradually Celtic wore them down, and the Everton goal had several close calls. Sagar was caught out of his goal on one occasion, and it was lucky for him that Crum just failed to connect.

KENNAWAY’S DARING

Everton rallied and forced a few corner kicks. Then came Kennaway’s daring save when he threw himself at Lawton’s feet. In the second half Celtic began vigorously, and Everton had another escape when Sagar ran too far out and Jones contrived to hook the ball out on the goal line. Play continued to alternate with great rapidity, but at the end of ninety minutes there was no scoring.

THE WINNING GOAL

After six minutes play of extra time Crum scored for Celtic. It was well conceived and smartly taken from 15 yards with a shot of great accuracy. Sagar got his hands to the drive but could not possibly have stopped it. Near the close of play Everton made a despairing bid. Boyes actually headed the ball past Kennaway, but the point was rightly disallowed on account of offside.

THE REFEREEING

Much of the success of the match was due to excellent control by the referee, who exercised common sense in his interpretation of the rules. Celtic thus add the Exhibition trophy to the Glasgow Charity Cup and the Scottish League Championship as their honours of the season. Teams. –

CELTIC—Kennaway; Hogg and Morrison; Geatons, Lyon, and Paterson; Delaney and MacDonald; Crum, Divers and Murphy.
EVERTON – Sagar; Cook and Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, and Thomson; Geldard and Cunliffe; Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes.

Referee—Mr. T. Thompson (Northumberland).


Celtic and Rangers players get a tour of building work at the Empire Exhibition in Bellahouston Park