1915-12-25: Celtic 6-0 Airdrieonians, League

Match Pictures | Matches: 1915 1916 | 1915 Pics1916 Pics

Trivia

  • Celtic & World War One
  • Christmas Day fixture
  • The Bhoys end the season on a high note with their sixth win on the trot, since losing to Hearts and these games have seen them score 24 for and concede only 2.
  • Airdrie’s outside-left Robert Williams was, sadly to make his last appearance for the club in this game and was later killed in action in France.
  • The King’s Christmas message ends: “Officers and men of the Navy and of the Army, another year is drawing to a close, as it began, in toil, bloodshed, and suffering, but we rejoice to know that the goal to which you are striving draws nearer into sight.”
  • Page 4 of the Glasgow Herald reports heckling and singing of “The Red Flag” when Minister for Munitions, David Lloyd George addressed a meeting of 3,000 trade union members in Glasgow. LINK

Review

Teams

CELTIC:
Shaw, McNair,Dodds, Young, Johnstone, McMaster, McAtee, Gallacher, McColl, McMenemy, Browning
Scorers: Gallacher; (3), Browning, McMenemy, McColl

AIRDRIEONIANS:
Wallace, Mackie, Watson, Miller, McGarrity, Rafferty, Reid, Todd, Thomson, Donaldson, Williams

Referee: T. Dougray, (Bellshill).
Attendance: 10,000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

The Glasgow Herald, Monday, 27th December, 1915
CELTS’ CONVINCING DISPLAY.
The Celtic forwards were as tantalisingly clever and a shade more effective against Airdrieonians at home than they had shown themselves ten days ago at Firhill. An early and easily acquired lead of two goals gave confidence to the side which least required it, and formed the prelude to a most delightful exhibition of studied passing and individual trickery. Gallagher excelled in both departments as he did when it came to increasing the score, but the flagpost had an inordinate attraction for McAtee, so that for the acme of wing perfection one had to glance at the other side of the field, where McMenemy and Browning, in conjunction with McMaster, delighted the crowd and baffled the opposition with many deft touches and well thought out movements. If not so flawless, the winners’ defence was very sound, and only twice was Shaw harassed, and then by Airdrie’s only effectives, Donaldson and Reid.

The Scotsman, 27th December, 1915
At Celtic Park, Glasgow, the Celtic had their easiest win of the season, at the expense of Airdrieonians. All through the game the home men were aggressive. McColl opened the scoring in the first minute, and McMenemy followed shortly after with a second. Airdrie forwards, although badly supported, made several dangerous raids on Shaw, but they lacked penetrative power, and the custodian was rarely in difficulties. In the second half Airdrie’s defence collapsed, and the Celtic attack found it easy getting goals. Gallagher scored three, thus performing the hat trick, and Browning made the total six. Celtic were a well-balanced team, and their superiority was most striking at half-back and forward. About 9,000 spectators were present.