1961-04-29: Motherwell 2-2 Celtic, League Division 1

Match Pictures | Matches: 19601961 | 1960-1961 Pictures

Trivia

  • Following the disappointment of being the losing finalist in a replayed Scottish Cup, Celtic returned to playing out the rest of the season – the main importance being whether they finished third or fourth in the League.
  • After playing for the best part of four months with the Reserves, Bertie Auld was again the centre of transfer rumours. He had been watched in the Reserve League decider against Hearts by representatives from Birmingham City and a bid was expected. Bertie had refused to move to Blackpool in January even though a fee had been agreed between the two clubs. Despite Celtic always saying that they would never transfer a player that did not want to leave, there is without doubt the feeling that Bertuie had been demoted to the Reserves (losing his place in the first team to Alec Byrne) for failing to agree to Celtic's wish to transfer him for a fee to Blackpool. Bertie duly was transferred to Birmingham on the 1st May for a fee estimated to be around £15,000.
  • In a day of busy business Jim Conway was also transferred to Norwich City for a fee of £12,000.
  • Charlie Gallacher appeared to take the rap for the Cup Final replay loss and was dropped in favour of Stevie Chalmers moving to outside right and Bobby Carroll coming into the team at inside right.
  • South of the border, Bobby Evans was freed from Chelsea after 1 season at the club.
  • Rangers duly won the Scottish League with a 7-3 win over Ayr Utd (who were relegated along with Clyde)

Review

Celtic escaped an early scare when O'Neill cleared off the line. Motherwell were the better team at the start and scored first with Roberts beating Haffey with a shot on 5 minutes. Celtic equalised with a neat move from Hughes, Carroll with Chalmers finishing. A period of Celtic pressure followed without producing a goal. Roberts put Motherwell aghead just before the interval.
Motherwell came out better in the second half and were unlucky not to further increase their lead. Five minutes before the end Fernie equalised for Celtic with a shot from the edge of the area.

Teams

Motherwell
Wylie; Delaney, Strachan; Aitken, Martis, McPhee; Lindsay, St John, Roberts, Quinn, Hunter
Scorers Roberts 2 (5, 45)

Celtic
Haffey; MacKay, O'Neill; Crerand, McNeill, Clark; Chalmers, Carroll, Hughes, Fernie, Byrne.
Scorers Chalmers (17), Fernie (85)

Referee: R Rodger (Stonehouse)
Attendance: 14,000

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

Motherwell v Celtic, League 1961