1955-03-26: Celtic 2-2 Airdrieonians, Scottish Cup SF

Match Pictures | Matches: 19541955 | 1954-55 pictures

Trivia

  • Played at Hampden Park. Airdrie were top of Division B and sure fire to win promotion back to Division A this season. In the other semi final Clyde played Aberdeen at Easter Road.
  • Willie Fernie was fit again and came in at the expense of Sean Fallon who had picked up a knee injury in the previous game against Motherwell, with Jimmy Walsh moving to centre forward. Jimmy Walsh was playing with an ankle knock and was initially doubtful for the game.
  • The draw was made for the Glasgow Cup. Celtic and Queen's Park received byes to the semi final. Rangers were drawn against Third Lanark and Partick Thistle against Clyde. Celtic would play the winners of the Rangers – Third Lanark game on 7th may at Celtic Park.
  • Celtic signed Bertie Auld from Maryhill Harp after a trial.

Review

Described as a match of thrills and many misses (most of them Celtic's) without a dull moment, loads of goal mouth action and some good outfield football. before eveybody was in the ground celtic were a goal down. baird and McMillan skillfully worked the ball forward and reid scored with a low hard shot. Not a Celtic foot had touched the ball. A minute later baird hooked a McMillan cross and thankfully Bonnar had anticipated the shot. From this setback Celtic clawed themselves back into the game and by half time they were on top of the play. Evans and peaxcock confined the Airdrie forwards finally and the Celtic forwards were playing better than they had for quite a few games. Baillie the Airdrie centre half was having a torrid time as Mochan and fernie oined Walsh in the centre. More often than not however these constant attacks ended with a slice or a sclaff. Fernie equalised with a header which was more a 'facer' after a Walsh shot was deflected out by the goalkeeper's knees. Walsh had a lot of shots none of which found the net.The prospects were all for Celtic for the second half with the wind now in their favour.
from the start reid hit Bonnar's left hand post. Collins hit the post at the other end. The second Celtic goal came when Fernie in his usual manner dribbled the ball along the byeline and chipped over for Walsh to score.
As they moved into the latter part of the match Evans and Peacock lost control of the Airdrie forwards. Airdrie's equaliser consisted of a comedy of errors from the Celtic defense with all of them to blame. At the other end Mochan let off a piledriver which felled Baillie (but failed to make the goal).
In the end the honours were even. Celtic had control of the first half but after going ahead they lost control of the game and Airdrie came right back into it with some intelligent play.
Replay time.

Teams

Celtic:
Bonnar; Haughney, Meechan; Evans, Stein, Peacock; Collins, Fernie, Walsh, Mochan, Tully.
Scorers: Fernie (17), Walsh (55)

Airdrieonians:
Walker; Shanks, Gordon; Quinn, Baillie, Cairns; Reid, Welsh, Baird, McMillan, McCulloch.
Scorers: Reid (15 secs), Welsh (68)

Referee: J A Mowat (Burnside)
Attendance: 80,040

Articles

Evening Times 26th March 1955

1955-03-26 ET

Glasgow Herald 28th March 1955

1955-03-28 GH

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

Evening Times, 26/3/55 (First Half only)

Celtic v Airdrieonians, Scottish Cup, 1955; Evening Times 26/3/55