1953-10-31: Dundee 1-1 Celtic, League Division A

Match Pictures | Matches:19531954 | 1953-54 pictures

Trivia

  • Following Fallon's arm injury against Hearts, Meechan came in again at left back; Tully was fit, though he had looked far from it against Manchester City in the floodlit friendly, and replaced Mochan. A fit Bonnar having had a good game against Manchester City replaced Hunter in goal.
  • Despite Celtic's trials and tribulations with the forwards failing to find the net more often than not, and an increasing injured list, Celtic were doing reasonably well in the League. So too were Dundee. Following this game Dundee were in second place with 11 points and Celtic in third with ten points and a game in hand. Queen of the South were top with fifteen points from nine games.
  • Queen's Park held a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of Hampden Park. The first game that had been played there was Queen's Park against Celtic which Queen's Park had won 1-0. Of the Celts that played in that game Jimmy McMenemy, Willey Loney and Hugh Watson were still alive in 1953 and both Willie Loney and McMenemy attended the celebration.

Review

A wet and windy day at Dens Park.
With their positions close together at the top of the league a competitive game ensued. Celtic started badly in the first ten minutes and Dundee looked as though they might have the winning of the game. On 22 minutes however, a Tully cross eluded everyone but Collins who lost his marker and crossed for McPhail unmarked to head home. The goal bred confidence that had not been there before and Celtic began to play well. And though Dundee managed to pierce the defense several times they came up against a returning goalkeeper in inspired form. Bonnar made great saves throughout the game. On 63 minutes Haughney was penalised for a barge on a Dundee forward and from the free kick Dundee hit the bar and then the rebound was headed home by Cowie. This was followed by an onslaught on the Celtic goal and only frantic defending kept the ball out.
Collins rallied the troops and Dundee conceded an indirect free kick a few yards from goal which unfortunately came to nothing.
In the end a draw was about the right result. The Dundee forwards played well together. Tully appeared less than fit and Celtic failed to capitalise on the slowness of Cowan.

Teams

Dundee:
Brown; Frew, Cowan; Gallacher, Malloy, Cowie; Burrwell, Henderson, Turnbull, Steel, Christie.
Scorers: Cowie (64)

Celtic:
Bonnar; Haughney, Meechan; Evans, Stein, Peacock; Collins, Fernie, McPhail, Walsh, Tully.
Scorers: McPhail (22)

Referee: D J Harvie (Wishaw)
Attendance: 27,000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles