1968-01-16: Morton 3-4 Celtic, Friendly

Match Pictures | Matches: 1967 1968 | 1967-68 Pics

Trivia

  • This game was played at Cappielow on nthe Tuesday night following a period of frost and snow in Scotland which had seen games called off over a two week period. As the weather began to relent, Morton challenged Celtic to this Friendly at Cappielow on the Tuesday night.
  • Celtic had been staying at Seamills from the Monday and travelled from there to Greenock, returning afterwards to Seamills where they stayed till the Thursday.
  • The team had gone through a number of changes in the two week break through weather and all those that were fit were expected to prove themselves with this game. Ronnie Simpson had recovered from a rib injury picked up against Clyde on the 1st January. Jim Craig was again fit. Brogan retained his place at right half with Bobby Murdoch also retaining his place at inside right. Wallace was free from suspension and Bertie Auld was free of the leg injury that had seen him subbed in the Glasgow derby. McBride and Hughes also started. Of the others Jimmy Johnstone was recovered from leg bruising from the Rangers game and Chalmers recovered from a heavy cold but neither were risked. Four subs (see below) were used.
  • The game was played in a downpour – and possibly hastily arranged – hence the low turn-out.

Review

McBride got the team off to a dream start with a goal in the seventh minute. Jensen equalised for Morton just before the interval. For the second half Celtic brought on four subs and Lennox made his presence felt by putting Celtic in the lead. Anderson, who had come on at the start of the second half for injured left winger Tony Taylor, then equalised for Morton. Lennox added his second to restore Celtic's lead before Per Bartram restored parity for Morton. Captain Billy McNeill then added the fourth with a trademark header from a corner. And that's how it finished.
Both sides played well and like they meant it with Gray and Jensen outstanding for Morton

Teams

Morton:
Russell, Thorup, Loughlan, Artentoft, Rankin, Gray, Jensen, Mason, Bartram, Sweeney, Taylor (Anderson 45)
Scorers: Jensen (41), Anderson (56), Bartram (69),

Celtic:
Simpson, Craig (Cattanach, 45), Gemmell, Brogan (Connelly 45), McNeill, Clark, Hughes, Murdoch (Lennox 45), Wallace, McBride (Gallacher 45), Auld.
Scorers: McBride (7), Lennox 2 (55, 65), McNeill (70)

Referee: R Gordon (Glasgow)
Attendance: 3,000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

  • Match Pictures

Articles

Morton v Celtic, Friendly, 16/1/68Morton v Celtic, Friendly, 16/1/68, Evening Times