| Match Pictures | Matches: 1938 – 1939 | 1938 Pictures |
Trivia
- On the opening day Kilmarnock took the lead against the champions through inside-forward Douglas Haig (Doug) McAvoy (later of Liverpool) and then it was downhill all the way for the visitors as seven Celtic players put their names on the score-sheet.
- Such was the reputation of Jimmy McGrory that even when he was retired for some time the Herald reporter in the preview of the new season (below) still used his name to refer to Celtic– "McGrory's men".
- 56 goals are scored in the 10 games played in the Scottish First Division.
- The Queen Mary sets a new record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean doing the 2938 miles at an average speed of 31.69 knots.
- Herald pictures show Helga Goebbels daughter of the German Propaganda Minister entertaining Adolf Hitler by reciting nursery rhymes at her home.
- Afternoon cruises to Dunoon and Rothesay (Return) advertised at prices from 2/2d or 7/10d with meals.
Review
The Glasgow Herald’s previews the new season under the headline:
“HOPES OF REAL COMPETITION IN LEAGUE FOOTBALL”
The article bemoans last year's two-horse race between Celtic and Hearts and hopes that this year-with new rules introduced for referees-clubs like Rangers and Motherwell can "re-establish themselves as first-class powers."
The article then previews all matches including the champions' match against Kilmarnock which turns out to be prescient indeed:-
“Kilmarnock, in view of their League record, must still be considered one of the struggling clubs in the First Division, but their famous Cup victory at Parkhead last season still lingers in the memory, and doubtless one of the largest crowds of day will be there this afternoon to see if the Ayrshire club can repeat such a doughty deed.
McGrory’s men are faced with a severe task, for the champions, fresh, one might say, from their Exhibition tournament triumph, may be expected to get off to a quick start and sweep Kilmarnock off their feet before they know where they are.
The most attractive part of Kilmarnock’s team is the attack, although to-day Borthwick will be at outside left for McGrogan, who is unfit. The reposeful, thoughtful style of Reid, himself an ex-Celt, is an admirable foil to the more dashing McAvoy on the other flank, and Collins and Thomson, little men both but dangerous to a degree complete a line which has individual brilliance and originality of movement to commend it.
HALF-BACK COMPARISON
But it is doubtful if Kilmarnock will be allowed to take up the initiative this afternoon. Their half-back division cannot at the moment stand comparison with Celtic’s, and it is there that the balance will be weighted heavily against them.
On the other hand, the Celtic attack, the most penetrative in Scottish football, may expect complete backing from Lyon and company, and so the Champions are favoured to surmount their first obstacle."
Teams
CELTIC:
Kennaway, Hogg, Morrison, Geatons, Lyon, Paterson, Delaney, MacDonald, Crum, Divers, Murphy.
Scorers:
Delaney, (2); Lyon, Murphy, Geatons, Divers, (2); MacDonald, Crum.
KILMARNOCK:
Hunter, Fyfe, Milloy, George Robertson, Stewart, Ross, Thomson, Reid, Collins, McAvoy, Borthwick.
Scorers:
McAvoy.
Referee:
A. Henderson (Kirkcaldy).
Attendance: 20,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Link
Articles
The Scotsman – Monday, 15th August 1938, page 5
CELTIC'S REVENGE
KILMARNOCK COMPLETELY OUTPLAYED
CHAMPIONS' HOT PACE
Celtic avenged their Cup defeat from Kilmarnock when they trounced the Ayrshire team by nine goals to one.
The visitors started off very well, and scored first through McAvoy, the inside man driving past Kennaway from twenty yards.
This early goal upset Celts for a bit, but once Delaney had equalised the visitors faded out. Celts kept up a terrific pace, and when Lyon put them on the lead with a penalty goal after Crum had been pulled down, the writing was on the wall.
Murphy, Divers, and McDonald brought the total to five, and Celts retired at the interval with the game well won. Geatons and Divers scored further goals within two minutes of the resumption, and before the end Crum, from a penalty, and Delaney brought the total to nine.
Naturally, in this glut of goals the football was good and bad. Celts turned out the brand of football seen frequently last season, and thus early seem well set to tread the championship path once more.
The visitors were good in patches, and in the early stages served up some very studied football, but they could not last the terrific pace.
The Kilmarnock backs. Fyffe and Milloy, were weak in the tackle. Collins was the visitors' bright star, but, unfortunately, he was not well supported.
The attendance was 20,000.
