1915-08-21: Celtic 3-1 Motherwell, League

Match Pictures | Matches: 19151916 | 1915 Pics1916 Pics

Trivia

  • Celtic & World War One
  • On the opening game of the 1915/16 season Celtic hosted Motherwell. Missing from the Celtic line up were Alec McNair and Jimmy McMenemy. Alec having tragically lost his wife only days before.
  • A crisis is looming between the USA and Germany over the sinking of the British vessel, Arabic and the loss of 44 passengers and crew, 3 of whom were US citizens.
  • Italy has declared war on Turkey following what it describes as treaty violations by Ottoman soldiers in Libya.
  • Under the heading “The Suvla Landing” “A Brilliant Military Achievment” The Glasgow Herald’s Special Correspondent,waxes lyrical about one of the most “brilliant pieces of work carried through in the war”.
  • Kirkcaldy’s carters, who were recently granted a 2s per week war rise in wages are seeking a further 4s to take the wage of a carter with a single horse to 30 shillings per week.

Review

The Glasgow Herald, Monday August 23, 1915
NOTES ON FOOTBALL
THE SEASON OPENS
The attendance at the various matches on Saturday was large. In Glasgow the total attendance at Celtic, Cathkin, and Firhill Park fell little short of 35, 000, though there was nothing in the standing of the visiting clubs to merit such patronage at any other period of the season. Advantage was taken of the visit of Corporal Luke, V.C., to do a little recruiting at Celtic Park, and quite a number of desirables were secured at half-time. As all the players engaged in East League matches had been engaged for some months in some form of useful employment, the usual methods were departed from, and there was much speculation on the point of their physical fitness, not to mention the keenness on a game which now holds out very little attraction to them in a financial sense. Would continued and comparatively poorly paid players take this game with enthusiasm of old and run the same risk as formerly?

Teams

CELTIC:
Shaw, McGregor, Dodds, Young, Johnstone ,McMaster, McAtee, Gallacher, McColl, Cassidy, Browning
Scorers: Dodds, Gallacher, McColl

MOTHERWELL:
Allan, R. Penman, P. Kelly, F. McStay, D. Finlayson, Murray, Neil, J. T. Waugh, Archibald, J. Gray, Bennett
Scorer: Waugh

Referee: J. Matthews (Greenock)
Attendance: 16,000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

The Scotsman, Monday 23rd August, 1915
The Celtic had Motherwell as visitors, and were worthy winners of a hard contest. The Celts had the assistance of a slight breeze, and Motherwell for the greater part of the first half were kept defending. McColl was keen in the Celtic attack, and his goal was a clever effort. The visitors showed much ability in the second half, and early secured an equaliser, Waugh scoring after fine work by Bennett and Gray. Then the Celtic attacked strongly, and Dodds gave his side the lead from a free kick. In the closing minutes Gallagher scored a third goal. Bothe teams were strong in defence. Forward the Celts had the pull, Motherwell’s five being poor at close quarters. The attendance numbered 8,000. McNair McMenemy and Johnstone were absent from the Celtic ranks.

The Glasgow Herald, Monday 23 August, 1915
Celtic were the better team all through, while the visitors were stronger in defence than in attack. Throughout the first half Celtic pressed almost continuously, and only the steadiness of the opposing goalkeeper and backs prevented them from scoring more than a solitary goal. In the second half Motherwell equalised, but Celtic added two more goals and secured a decisive win.

21st August 1915. A half-time WWI recruitment drive. WIllie Maley with Corporal Luke VC, from the Dundee Evening Telegraph, and a match picture from the DAily Record