1931-04-18: Celtic 3-1 Airdrieonians, League Division 1

Match Pictures | Matches: 19301931 | 1931 Pictures

Trivia

  • Airdrieonians took the lead in 23 minutes through outside-right, Angus Johnston, but withing two minutes Jimmy McGrory had equalised, and that is the way it stayed until goals in 70 and 75 minutes from Peter Scarff and Charlie Napier, from the penalty spot, sealed the victory for Celtic.
  • Celtic had bombarded the Airdrie goal and it was only down to the heroics of William Paterson their Dunfermline-born goalkeeper that the score was not bigger.
  • In the Scottish League First Division, it seems almost certain now that the title of champions will go to Rangers or Celtic as Motherwell are all but out of it. Relegation for East Fife is certain but it is not yet clear who will join them in the Second Division next season. Third Lanark are assured promotion from the Second Division and will be joined by either Dunfermline Athletic or Dundee United.
  • In England, the Arsenal won the English League First Division championship, and a defeat for Leeds United placed them in very grave danger of demotion. West Bromwich Albion improved their promotion prospects, and Everton are assured First Division football next season.
  • Madrid, April 19. — The British Government's answer to the request for the recognition of the new Spanish Government is that a definite reply cannot be given until the Dominion Governments are consulted. According to the newspapers, this information was conveyed yesterday, to the Spanish Government by the British Ambassador.

Review

Teams

CELTIC:
J. Thomson, Cook, McGonagle, Geatons, McStay, Whitelaw, R. Thomson, A. Thomson, McGrory, Scarff, Napier.
Scorers:
McGrory, Scarff, Napier.

AIRDRIEONIANS:
Paterson, Crapnell, McQueen, Preston, Morrison, Sharp, Johnston, McDonald, Skinner, Piper, Bertram.
Scorers:
Johnston.

Referee: J. Hudson (Glasgow).
Attendance: 10,000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

The Scotsman – Monday, 20th April 1931, page 4

CELTIC EASY WINNERS

At Celtic Park, before 10,000 spectators, the Celtic took full points from the Airdrieonians.

In a hard fought game, in which a strong wind prevented good play, the Celtic were easily the better side, and ought to have won by a greater margin.

The cup-holders were without Wilson, and brought in Whitelaw at left half, Geatons going over to the right-half position. The Airdrieonians were over-run during the early portion of the game, and were lucky to prevent early scores.

The first half was midway through when, against the run of the play, Johnstone opened the scoring for the Airdrie side with a header from Bertram’s cross, but McGrory soon put the teams on equal terms from a well-taken corner kick by Napier.

The cup-holders bombarded the visitors' goal later, and but for fine work by Paterson would have been well ahead, at the interval.

The second half was responsible for some strenuous work, and the visitors were hard put to it to keep down the scoring. On few occasions were they dangerous; though when they went a-raiding they were at times difficult to stop.

The Celts were always a menace to Paterson and company, and when Scarff scored from a well-taken free kick by Geatons, the result was a foregone conclusion.

Fifteen minutes from the end McGrory was going through when he was brought down by Crapnell inside the penalty area, and Napier put the cup-holders further ahead from the spot kick.

The Celtic were never in danger of losing the points, but the Airdrieonians made a good show with Paterson, Crapnell, and Sharp their strong men in defence and Johnstone and Bertram their most troublesome raiders.

Celtic v Airdrie Apr 1931