1966-10-17: Celtic 2-0 Airieonians, League Cup

Match Pictures | Matches:19661967 | 1966-67 Pictures

Trivia1966-10-17: Celtic 2-0 Airieonians, League Cup - The Celtic Wiki

  • The second part of the double header against Airdrie. Having beaten them on the Saturday in the League all the team were up for this semi final tie. Airdrie had played a tight defensive game on the Saturday and had the players to be able to play on the break and had given Celtic an excellent game.
  • Having attempted to baffle Airdrie's 'plan' pre-Saturday game by mixing the team up, Jock Stein threw another curve ball and revereted to the winning formula team. Back went the full backs to their normal positions with Ian Young dropping out. Murdoch came back in and the half backs reverted to normal. But up front Hughes warmed the subs bench with Johnstone back on the right and Lennox now out on the left. Airdrie used Irvine on the left wing.
  • The game was played at Hampden Park.
  • Celtic qualify for their third consecutive League Cup final. They will play Rangers in the final for the third consecutive year.

Review

Airdrie held out well until Murdoch's shot in 65 minutes broke the deadlock and McBride's header clinched the tie in 76 minutes.
They had committed themselves to defense and made far fewer breaks than they had on the Saturday. On the other hand Celtic were more careless in front of the Airdrie goal and squandered many chances and the luck on the goal line appeared to go Airdrie's way. Airdrie again yielded the ball and the wings to Celtic and concentrated on a packed defense. Simpson still had to be alert for the Airdrie break away straight down the middle and with all the Bhoys committed to attack they had chances which 'Auld Faither' in goal producing some good saves.
Celtic eventually wore them down and their luck ran out. On 65 minutes a Bobby Lennox free kick failed to be adequately cleared and it eventually came to Bobby Murdoch who hit a 'Gemmell-esque' shot of power into the net. This opened up some of the defensive wall and ten minutes later with McBride unmarked Auld lofted a perfect cross and the inside right headed home.

Murdoch's thunder bolt shots are now becoming a notable asset for Celtic.

Teams

Airdrie:
McKenzie Jonquin Keenan Goodwin Black Ramsay Ferguson McPheat Marshall Murray Irvine Sub: Reid
Scorers:

Celtic:
Simpson, Gemmell, O'Neill, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Johnstone, McBride, Chalmers, Auld, Lennox Sub: Hughes
Scorers: Murdoch (64), McBride (75)

Referee: W Syme (Glasgow)
Attendance: 36,930

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

Celtic v Airdrie, League Cup SF, 17/10/66