1955-01-29: Celtic 2-0 Heart of Midlothian, League Division A

Match Pictures | Matches: 19541955 | 1954-55 pictures

Trivia

  • In yet another rejigging of the forward line Higgins came back in at outside right having recovered from his broken toe and Collins switched to outside left with Mochan dropping out. Tully was still out injured. Duff for Hearts was nursing a cold but made the team.
  • 'Almost' a spring day after the recent snow and frost, the game was played in the sunshine. Kick off was at 3:00 o'clock; Stand entrance was 4 shillings, Enclosure was 2s 6d and the ground 2 shillings. Boys were in for 9 pence (unless lifted over the turnstiles).
  • Joe Baillie, who had only just been transferred for £4000 by Celtic, was placed on the transfer list by Wolverhampton Wanderers, the reason given being that he could not agree with the club on the question of accommadation.
  • Jock Weir was charged at Glasgow Sheriff court with reseting a quantity of cigarettes and bailed at £10 to appear for trial in April.

Review

A goal-less first half but Jimmy Walsh scored within two minutes of the restart and Hearts appeared to give up thereafter, especially as Celtic increased the pace of their attack looking for the second goal. Hearts were given a lesson in enthusiastic football and playing right through to the final whistle. The first half, though goal-less was not without incident. As early as the fourth minute Bauld had an unchallenged run in on Bonnar but he delayed his shot and Bonnar smothered the ball. He then hit the crossbar and had another shot cleared off the line by Meechan. Celtic had fewer scoring chances and less of the play in the first half and Hearts were resourceful.
Right at the start of the second half Urquhart had Bonnar beaten but again the ball rebounded off the crossbar. After that Celtic took control of the reins and Hearts virtually collapsed as a team. Collins chased and harried for every ball. Fernie and Walsh soon caught on and with Fernie making his dribbling runs Hearts were pushed back. Even Fallon in his usual ungainliness managed to intimidate the Hearts defense. Meechan effectively stamped out the threat of Souness throughout the game. Walsh's first goal was a somewhat scrambled affair with Hearts appealing that Fallon had handled the ball when he had fallen over on being tackled.

Teams

Celtic:
Bonnar; Haughney, Meechan; Evans, Stein, Peacock; Higgins, Walsh, Fallon, Fernie, Collins.
Scorers: Walsh 2 (48, 90)

Hearts:
Duff; Parker, McKenzie; Mackay, Glidden, Cumming; Souness, Conn, Bauld, Wardhaugh, Urquhart.
Scorers:

Referee: R J Smith (Rutherglen)
Attendance: 49,300

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

Evening Times 29/1/55

Celtic v Hearts, 1955, League, Evening Times 29/1/55