1981-07-12: New York Cosmos 2-0 Celtic, Friendly

Match Pictures | Matches: 19811982 | 1981-82 Pictures

Trivia

  • Celtic were required to travel to New York to take part in a four team tourney with New York Cosmos, Seattle Sounders and Southampton. Russian team Shakhter Denetsk pulled out after Cosmos insisted on playing South African player Steve Wegerle. However it was felt they withdrew over the political decision of the USA to withdraw from the Moscow Olympics.
  • Celtic were paid £50,000 plus expenses for taking part which was a considerable sum in 1981.
  • Match played in the famous Giants stadium in NYC.
  • Willie Garner joined Celtic from Aberdeen for £60,000 on 2 July.
  • Roddy MacDonald was transferred to Hearts on 8 July for £50,000.

Review

Celtic went down 2-0 to Cosmos. The Celts suffered from jet lag, 90 degree temperatures and humidity.

Some of the players were said to struggle on the astroturf pitch.

Cosmos goals were scored by Julio Cesar Romero and Chico Borja.

Teams

Celtic
Bonner McGrain Reid Aitken McAdam MacLeod Provan (McCluskey) Nicholas (Doyle) McGarvey Burns Sullivan (Garner)

Referee:
Attendance: 29,000.

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

1981 New York Cosmos 2-0 Celtic