1997-04-15: Man Utd 1-2 Celtic, Brian McClair Testimonial

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Trivia

  • Brian McClair Celtic Testimonial
  • Some fans unhappy at playing atestimonial for a player who left us in the lurch in 1987.

1997-04-15: Man Utd 1-2 Celtic, Brian McClair Testimonial - The Celtic Wiki

Review

A large travelling Celtic support made up a significant part of the 44,000 crowd who turned up at Old Trafford to pay tribute to Brian McClair on April 15th 1997

With Celtic supporters packed in around the stadium the home fans were far from pleased that the Hoops went on to claim a deserved 2-1 victory. Anyone under the illusion of a 'special relationship' between the two sets of fans would have had their opinion drastically altered that night with the United fans in less than sporting mood.

The match was played in decent spiritd. Cadete missed an opportunity on 8 minutes when played in by Doinnelly in the 8th minute. He had a further 2 one-on-one opportunities against van der Gouw in the first half both from di Canio passes which the keeper saved. At the other end Boyd and McKinlay both cleared off the line but it took till the stroke of half time when Keane nodded home from a Karel Poborsky corner.

United sent out virtually a new team in the second half. In the final quarter hour Celtic pressed with subs Wieghorst and Hay pushing on. Donnelly set up Hay's first on 75 with a perfectly weighted pass. Hay slotted home from 6 yds. Wieghorst set up the second after a mazy run into the box for Hay to slam home.
Hay missed a golden opportunity immediately after to get his hatrick.

TeamsBrian McClair Testimonial - Kerrydale Street

Manchester Utd:
van der Gouw (Gibson, 46), G Neville, Keane (Wallwork, 46), Johnsen (Curtis, 46), P Nevill (Casper, 46), Poborsky, Scholes (Mulryne, 46), Cantona (Beckham, 46), Butt (Tomlinson, 75), McClair, Cruyff
Scorer: Keane, 45

Celtic:
Marshall, McNamara (Hannah, 51), Boyd, MacKay, McKinlay (Gray, 51), Donnelly, Thom (Wieghorst, 75), Grant, Di Canio, Johnson (Hay, 60), Cadete (McLaughlin, 71); Unused sub: Kerr
Scorer: Hay, 75, 81

Referees: R Dilkes (Mossley) / M Riley (West Yorkshire)
Attendance: 43,783

Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

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