| Matches: 1887 1888 1889 | 1887-1900 |
Trivia
- Glasgow Exhibition Cup Final
- Played on neutral ground at Exhibition Grounds, Kelvinside.
- A shock result as reports stated that it was expected that Celtic composed of Edinburgh Hibernian and Renton players would be "invincible".
- Celtic described as a "Glasgow-Irish Roman Catholic combination".
- This was Celtic's first ever tournament, and the First Team's first final.
- Celtic's first competitive match defeat, but something to learn from.
Review
Celtic described as a "Glasgow-Irish Roman Catholic combination".
Post-Script
At the dinner following the Celtic defeat by Cowlairs in the Exhibition Cup 6th Sept 1888, John Glass publicly vowed that the Cowlairs supporters who had disgracefully tormented the Celtic Players that day would be taught a lesson they would never forget.
There was only one way to do it, merely winning trophies would never be enough to satisfy the wearers of the green & white and their supporters, it would be done in the truly unique style of the Celtic race – with ingenuity, skill and passion.
Teams
Celtic:-
Dunning, McLaren, Collins, McKeown, Kelly, Gallagher, McCallum, Dunbar, Groves, Coleman, O'Connor.
Cowlairs:-
T. Duff, McCartney, McLeod, Sinclair, James McPherson, Bishop, McGuinness, Hamilton, McCall, John McPherson
Goals:- Stewart 40, Bishop 55.
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Large Gold Plated Medal Won by Cowlairs who beat Celtic 2-0
Probably the best looking medal i have ever seen. Pity Celtic never won it
Dundee Courier 7th September 1888
Glasgow Herald 7th September 1888
The Scotsman – Friday, 7th September 1888, page 4
"Judging from the vast crowd which assembled on the Recreation Grounds in the evening, great interest was manifested in the final tie of the football tournament. The game, however, was not so closely contested as had been anticipated, the Cowlairs proving the victors by two goals as against nothing scored by the Celtic, This is the first reverse the Celts have encountered since the formation of their team."
Post-Script
At the dinner following the Celtic defeat by Cowlairs in the Exhibition Cup 6th Sept 1888, John Glass publicly vowed that the Cowlairs supporters who had disgracefully tormented the Celtic Players that day would be taught a lesson they would never forget, there was only one way to do it, merely winning trophies would never be enough to satisfy the wearers of the green & white and their supporters, it would be done in the truly unique style of the Celtic race – with ingenuity, skill and passion.