1923-10-20: Celtic 0-0 Raith Rovers, League Division 1

Match Pictures | Matches:19221923 | Pictures:19221923

Trivia

  • Celtic hosted the Kirkcaldy team that had been shipwrecked earlier that year.
  • The Glasgow Herald reports that the Prince of Wales returned from his tour of Canada on board the Empress of France where it was reported he had spent 2 hours in the stokehold stripped to the waist feeding the boilers. LINK
  • The Letters section in the Glasgow Herald contains one that criticises Lord Peel, Secretary of State for India for obtaining revenue for Opium that can be eaten and smoked in India, Ceylon and Hong Kong.

Review

A lacklustre Celtic fail to break down a defensively-strong Raith Rovers.

Teams

CELTIC: ShawMcNairHilleyJ, McStayW. McStay, Granger, McAtee,  GallacherCassidyThomsonMcLean.

RAITH ROVERS: Brown, Inglis, Moyes, Raeburn, Morris, Collier, Bell, Miller, Jennings, Alex James, Archibald

Referee: H. Humphrey (Greenock).

Attendance: 8000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

  • Match Pictures

Articles

Match report from The Scotsman, 22nd October 1923

RAITH’S FINE DEFENCE
Celtic and Raith Rovers met at Parkhead before about 8000 spectators. With the advantage of a moderate breeze in the first half, Celtic were more often the aggressors, but the Rovers’ defence was steady, and Brown was not often called upon. Though having fewer opportunities than their opponents, the Rovers were distinctly the more dangerous side in front of goal, and Shaw was severely tested by Jennings, Bell, and Archibald. Corner kicks were numerous, and from one of these Raeburn landed the ball in the net, but the point was disallowed owing to the ball having been over the line in its flight from the corner flag. After the interval play was hard and interesting, with Celtic still having slightly the better of matters. Though their shooting improved, the home men could make no impression on the Rovers’ fine defence, in which Inglis was outstanding. Brown brought off a umber of good saves, one from a great shot by McLean being a brilliant effort. The Rovers’ whole defence were in excellent trim, but the forwards were uneven, Bell and James being best. For Celtic, McNair was in his finest form, and Hilley made him a good partner. W. McStay was the best half-back, and of the forwards Gallacher and McLean were most often in evidence.

The Glasgow Herald, Monday 22nd Oct, 1923

Raith Rovers’ scoring proclivities appear to be confined to home games, as their only success in out games was against the bottom team on the table, Hamilton Academicals. Though failing to score, however, in their game with Celtic at Parkhead, the visitors impressed as capable competitors, their half-backs in particular showing superior tactics, and the whole eleven revealing merit of a sound if not brilliant order. Celtic did the major portion of attacking, but their superior cleverness was not sufficient to carry them to success against a defence whose physical advantage was backed by no little skill.