1952-12-20: Falkirk 2-3 Celtic, League Division A

Match Pictures | Matches: 1952 1953 | 1952-53 Pictures

Trivia

  • Celtic could go top of the League with a win here and the right results elsewhere. East Fife and St Mirren were above the Bhoys and both were away to Clyde and Rangers respectively. East Fife won and Celtic went second.
  • In further attempts to get the half back line fixed in the absence through injury of Joe Baillie, in came John Jack; Jimmy Walsh was out injured. (some scoresheets have Duncan playing but this is wrong.)
  • Willie Morrison was loaned to Leith Athletic
  • McIlroy scores again, his third goal in only three games, but it’s to incredibly be his last goal for Celtic after what had been an incredible start for the new Celtic player.

Review

Thin layer of snow in some parts of the ground made it treacherous underfoot. Tully almost scored in the first minute. Despite is 38 years ex-celt Jimmy Delaney gave the defense problems all game. Celtic escaped a penalty claim against Rollo. Weir and Stein were having a battle for control in the middle of the park, neither really being able to master the other. Celtic took the lead on 15 minutes when Collins when Collins cut inside and beat three defenders before releasing a well-placed shot. Falkirk refused to give up and on 26 minutes they were level from a quick move involving Jock Weir and Dunlop with the latter finishing.McIlroy had a good attempt and it was a hard fought end to the first half.
The fast pace continued in the second. Falkirk’s Gallacher picked up an ankle injury. This was to celtic’s advantage and in the 59th minute McIlroy got a second for Celtic. Peacock got a third 2 minutes later and at the death Delaney pulled one back for Falkirk.
A good game where Falkirk never gave up.

Teams

Falkirk:
McFeat; McDonald, Rae; Gallacher, McKenzie, Hunter; Delaney, Dunlop, Weir, Campbell.
Scorers: Dunlop (26), Delaney (73)

Celtic:
Hunter; Boden, Fallon; Evans, Stein, Jack; Collins, Fernie, McIlroy, Tully, Peacock.
Scorers: Collins (15), McIlroy (59), Peacock (61)

Referee: J Jackson (Glasgow)
Attendance: 14,000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

  • Match Pictures

Articles

Falkirk v Celtic, December 1952