| Match Pictures | Matches:1953 – 1954 | 1953-54 pictures |
Trivia
- Andrew Bell was preferred in goal to George Hunter; Joe Baillie came back in to the side; Peacock moved forward to inside left and Mochan dropped out of the side.
- Vincent Ryan was signed from Home farm. He would make his senior debut in April 1954.
- Hamilton were newly promoted to Division A this season, their return coming after dropping down 6 years previously. The game was an all-ticket game. Douglas Park had recently had the terracing rebuilt.
Review
Celtic kicked off but Hamilton had the first shots on goal which were all nervy and wide. Despite their efforts Hamilton mishandled the chances they were given. McPhail was unlucky for Celtic at the other end with a header. Half way through the first half Hamilton had a good few chances all of which Bell was able to cope with eventually. Celtic finally started to play with some directness with McPhail and Fernie combining. Bell had a lucky escape in the 26th minute whan a shot spun out of his grasp and was headed for the goal line before he managed to recover. In an attempt to gain some extra movement McPhail moved out to the right wing and Collins and Walsh played through the middle. In a frantic spell first Cunning then Wilson and Peacock all picked up injuries and required treatment, Peacock retiring with a head injury. Hamilton scored on 40 minutes when Bell failed to hold a cross and Young belted the ball in from 6 yards. Peacock came back on wearing a skull cap and his first centre was met by Fernie, his header running along the crossbar.
Walsh missed a sitter at the start of the second half. Further shots rained in from Peack and Fernie and Walsh again. A pattern of Celtic pressure and Hamilton breaks built up and still Celtic could not find the net. In fact it was Hamilton who extended their lead on 62 minutes when Bell missed another cross and Scott headed home from close range.
This 2-0 defeat to the newly promoted team was a shock and deeply disillusioned the Celtic faithful from the highs of the Coronation Cup at the end of the previous season.
Teams
Hamilton Academicals:
Ritchie; Bathgate, Johnstone; Wilson, G Scott, martin; Young, Todd, J Scott, Brown, Cunning.
Scorers: Young (40), Scott (62)
Celtic:
Bell; Haughney, Meechan; Evans, Stein, Baillie; Collins, Walsh, McPhail, Peacock, Fernie.
Scorers:
Referee: T McKerchar (Stanley)
Attendance: 20,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)