| Match Pictures | Matches: 1972 – 1973 | 1972-73 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic Park was busy. With a number of 'poor' performances so far and the team described as 'looking stale' the boss had them in training solidly.
- Following a run out with the Reserves Brogan and Hay were brought back in and Evan Williams was back in goal.
- Celtic could have won 7-1 such were the chances that were missed. Murdoch played sweeper and Connelly pushed into midfield.
- Johnstone and Hood play with reserves who are beaten by Partick 6-5 on same night in a Reserve League match at Celtic Park. The Celtic team was Carr, McNamara, Watt, McLaughlin, McDonald, Welsh, Johnstone, Hood, Ritchie, Davidson, Wilson. Sub O'Hara. The Celtic scorers were Hood 2, McLaughlin, Johnstone and O'Hara.
Review
A great game despite the result. After Dundee scored Celtic poured everything into attack but they met a keeper on form with Thompson Allan pulling off a string of extraordinary saves.
Teams
Dundee:-
Allan, R Wilson, Houston, Robinson, Stewart, Ford, J Scott, Duncan, Wallace, J Scott, Lambie; Substitute: Gray
Goals: Wallace (23)
Celtic:
Williams, Hay, Brogan, Murdoch, McNeill, Connelly, Dalglish, Macari, Deans, Callaghan, Lennox. Substitute: McCluskey.
Referee: R H Davidson (Airdrie)
Attendance: 21,938
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Glasgow Herald Thursday 12 October 1972
Celtic at their best but lose
By John Rafferty
Dundee 1, Celtic 0
In a game of unbelievable speed and excitement, Dundee scored with a sharp chance and then with wonderfully co-ordinated defending contained Celtic pressure which, for intensity and racing power, had to be seen to be believed in this League Cup quarter-final first leg.
It all made the most hectic and satisfying game we have seen for many a long day. It was won in the end by the composure and slick drilling of Dundee's back four; that cool veteran Houston and the well blended pair in the middle, Robinson and Stewart, along with Wilson. There was an accomplished goalkeeper, Allan, behind them.
This was a Dundee team which will take a lot of beating by anyone yet besides being superb in defence they were lightning fast on the break. Jocky Scott could sprint and turn on an attack quicker than you could catch your breath. McNeill had to be at his best to hold these darts from the rear.
Celtic played a new formation with Murdoch back beside McNeill and Connelly in his place in the midfield. Murdoch played an excellent game and Hay and Brogan were back at full back to add firmness to the defence.
Celtic played better than they have at any time this season but it was not enough to get a goal against this Dundee team with which David White has worked wonders.
The second leg of the tie cannot help but be another wonderful game. On the face of it one goal should not be too much for Celtic to overcome but again they could never bank on scoring against this fine defence.
The first half was played at a furious pace. Celtic's darts and stabs would have stampeded most defences, but no disorder showed at Dundee's rear. Robinson and Stewart marked Deans and Macari tightly; and Celtic's attacks broke down in the middle.
From that good order in defence, the well-drilled Dundee could spring up to menacing attacks. In their first break they might have soared, but Wallace could not get to Ian Scott's cross.
Celtic were the more spectacular, with Dalglish, Connelly and Callaghan providing the bite in midfield and using the speed of Lennox on the left. But the Dundee defence were not to be disturbed.
Then in the 23rd minute, a flash of action as Dundee scored. Houston chipped a free kick over to the right. Ian Scott moved the ball with his head to Wallace, who quickly hit a tremendous shot to the net.
The pattern was maintained to the interval. Celtic chased a goal, Dundee turned them away and were fast and threatening on the breaks.
The composure of the Dundee defence was astonishing in the second half. Celtic went at them as furiously as they have gone at any team in recent years. But that back four could not be shaken out of their well-drilled ways.
There were close things. Allan could not hold Lennox's shots, but he recovered quickly to nip the ball away from Macari. Yet for all Celtic's furious, sustained pressure, few shots got through to Allan.
And as time went on, the pace was even more furious. Macari ran 50 yards, and Deans wasted the final pass. Murdoch sent Dalglish through, but his shot hit Allan and spun clear of Lennox.
Dundee were in sore trouble in the final minutes and in the last seconds, Allan had an astonishing save from a Macari header.
Dundee—Allan; Wilson and Houston; Robinson, Stewart and Ford; Scott (I), Duncan, Wallace, Scott (J), and Lambie. Sub.—Gray.
Celtic—Williams; Hay and Brogan; Murdoch, McNeill and Connelly; Dalglish, Macari, Deans, Callaghan and Lennox. Sub.—McCluskey.
Referee—R. H. Davidson (Airdrie).