1961-04-22: Dunfermline Athletic 0-0 Celtic, Scottish Cup Final

Match Pictures | Matches: 19601961 | 1960-61 Pictures

Trivia

  • Celtic received a scare when the Scotland players reported back from the debacle at Wembley and Billy McNeill reported a back strain. McNeill had missed very few games for Celtic this season with McNamee deputising before when he was on international duty, and John Kurila coming in during late August / September when Billy was out injured. The injury turned out to be not as serious as first thought and after a day McNeill returned to training.
  • The other poser for Celtic was whether to play Bertie Peacock or the young John Clark at left half. Bertie was again fit and ready to play, having come through a Reserve match on the Wednesday night against Ayr Utd reserves. John Clark had more than ably deputised for the Celtic captain since Bertie had picked up his injury.
  • For Dunfermiline, their experienced outside right Tommy McDonald failed to make the team when he was taken to hospital with appendicitis. Peebles moved across to the right and in came youngster Dan McAlindon.
  • On the world stage, USA and President Kennedy supported the invasion of Cuba at the 'Bay of Pigs'. The invading forces were entirely defeated by Castro's army

Review

This was Dunfermiline's first appearance in a Cup Final and the Hoops had failed to win the trophy since 1953/54. Dunfermiline were of course managed by a certain John Stein. Jock had taken over the previous year at East End Park but had a very good knowledge of the Celtic team having coached many of them when he was Reserve Trainer and Coach at Celtic Park before leaving for Dunfermiline.
A thoroughly entertaining game which saw both sides have chances and both defenses perform well. Part Crerand had the stand-out game for Celtic supplying accurate pass after accurate pass.
The game ended goalless and both goalkeepers came in for praise., Frank Haffey pulling off a great save late in the game to deny the Pars – who were down to 10 men after centre-half Williamson went off injured..

The replay was four days later.

Teams

Dunfermiline:
Connachan; Fraser, Cunningham; Mailer, Williamson, Miller; Peebles, Smith, Dickson, McLindon, Melrose

Celtic:
Haffey, McKay, Kennedy, Crerand, McNeill, Clark, Gallagher, Fernie, Hughes, Chalmers, Byrne

Referee: H Phillips
Attendance: 113,328

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

Match Report, Glasgow Herald, Dunfermiline v Celtic, Scottish Cup Final 22/4/61

Evening Times 24th April 1961

1961-04-24 ET