In the summer of 1977 Celtic made their first ever trip to Asia and Australia to compete in the two tournaments held under the banner of the World of Soccer Cup
The tournaments were the idea of English entrepreneur Reg Lambourne and would be staged in Singapore and Arsenal. Both competitions would feature the Bhoys as well Arsenal, Red Star Belgrade and a select side from the host nations.
So on July 13th Celtic walked out in front of a 45,000 crowd at the impressive Singapore National Stadium and set about inflicting a 5-0 thrashing to a Singapore select XI. Alfie Conn netter twice while Tommy Burns, Bobby Lennox and Johannes Edvaldsson grabbed a goal each.
However it was a much less enjoyable experience for the Hoops four days later when they crashed 3-1 in the final to an impressive Red Star team who had adapted much better to the hot and humid conditions. It was a thoroughly deserved victory for the Belgrade side. Bobby Lennox netted Celtic’s goal but in truth a rather sluggish looking Hoops side were well beaten.
The World of Soccer Cup then moved on to Melbourne for a second tournament, this time played under a league format with the top two sides playing in a final. After their semi-final defeat to Red Star in Singapore things got even worse for Arsenal when they lost 3-1 to the unfancied Australian select side.
Celtic’s campaign began with a dramatic 1-1 draw at Olympic Park, Melbourne on July 21st with Red Star. In a competitive encounter Roddie MacDonald snatched a late equaliser after Pat Stanton had been sent off for retaliation. The Bhoys then moved on to Sydney where a double from Paul Wilson and a goal from Ronnie Glavin saw Celtic defeat Arsenal 3-2 at the S.C.G ON July 24th.
A couple of days later at the same venue Glavin again netted while Edvaldsson bagged a double to secure another 3-2 win – this time over the Australia select team. That victory set Celtic up for a final clash with Red Star back in Melbourne on July 31at. Given the nature of the last encounter between the clubs this was always going to be a keenly fought contest and a crowd of 22,000 gathered to witness a fiery encounter.
The Belgrade team had finished second in the mini-league but were viewed as being favourites for the final. However Jock Stein had as usual done his homework and learnt from past mistakes. He sent out a team to frustrate the technically superior Red Star side and his men did their job perfectly.
The Bhoys allowed the Slavs plenty of possession in the middle of the park but frustrated their opponents by crowding them out whenever the ball got near to the danger zone. When in possession Celtic played a quick counter attacking game and it worked a treat. Just moments before half-time Celtic took the lead when Red Star failed to deal with an inswinging corner from Alfie Conn which hit the bar before being forced home by Roddie MacDonald.
A desperate Red Star began to take gambles in search of an equaliser and were punished after Paul Wilson made a ligtening break up the right flank and delivered a decisive cross which was finished by Edvaldsson.
It was clinical and impressive performance by the Bhoys and Danny McGrain lifted the trophy which unbeknown to all at the time would be Jock Stein’s last as Celtic manager.
Celtic connections
Roy Hay
see: https://cw.wikifoundry.com/miscellaneous/australia-celtic-connections/
Celtic on tour
In 1977 Celtic took part in a four-team tournament involving the Socceroos, Red Star Belgrade and Arsenal. Two years ago they had a one-off match against Brisbane Roar, winning by three goals to nil. Over the years Australia has provided Celtic with a couple of quality strikers in Mark Viduka and Scott McDonald. Former Celtic players who starred in Australia included goalkeeper Frank Haffey, Croatia captain Duncan MacKay and striker John ‘Dixie’ Deans.
The ‘World of Soccer’ tournament took place in July 1977. Promoted by Reg Lambourne, ‘soccer’s Kerry Packer,’ according to Laurie Schwab, the first prize was $36,000. Celtic arrived via Singapore without its captain Kenny Dalglish who was unsettled at Parkhead and would soon be off to Liverpool to replace Kevin Keegan. Red Star Belgrade won the tournament in Singapore beating Celtic by three-one in the final, and the expectation in Soccer Action was that they would repeat the exercise in Australia. On Thursday 20 July, Celtic and Red Star drew one-all before 21,000 at Olympic Park. Paul Wilson was the star for Celtic, which was under the pump for much of the game. Red Star scored through Dusan Savic from a pass by Vladimir Petrovic in 82 minutes, but Roddy McDonald chested home a corner kick for the equaliser five minutes later. Bosko Lukic and Pat Stanton were sent off just before the end.
The Celtic versus Arsenal game on Sunday 24 July 1977 was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the pitch turned east-west instead of north-south ‘for the first time in memory’. ‘People in the Members’ stand who do not pay anything to get into the ground will have the less favourable head-on view of the match.’ The match was attended by the Governor, Roden Cutler, and the Premier of New South Wales, Neville Wran. Expecting 30,000, the match drew 21,460, mainly Celtic supporters, and Celtic beat Arsenal three-two with two goals by Paul Wilson and one by Ronnie Glavin from the spot. Danny McGrain was described by reporter Brian Curran as ‘the best full-back ever to come to Australia’.
On Tuesday 26 July, Celtic had a hard-fought three-two win over the Socceroos, this time at the Sydney Sports Ground. Celtic fielded Peter Latchford, Danny McGrain Tommy Burns, Pat Stanton, Roddy McDonald, Roy Aitken, Paul Wilson, Alfie Conn, Ronnie Glavin, Johannes Edvaldsson and Johnny Doyle. ‘Big Shuggie’ Edvaldsson got two goals and Paul Wilson one. For a midweek match the crowd was a very respectable 12,742 and Celtic manager, Jock Stein, said the Socceroos stretched them. ‘We don’t want another one like that too soon,’ he said. Though he was substituted before the end, Australia’s best player was a Scot, Jimmy Rooney, who had been with the Socceroos in their only World Cup appearance to date in West Germany in 1974. Murray Barnes and Peter Ollerton scored Australia’s goals.
Celtic went on to beat Red Star in the final at Olympic Park on Sunday 31 July, by two goals to nil. Celtic put up the shutters in the first half with Stanton, McDonald, Edvaldsson and Danny McGrain forming an almost impenetrable barrier. Peter Latchford dealt with anything that did get through. Then just before the interval Celtic got a corner and Roddy McDonald kneed Alfie Conn’s inswinger over the line after keeper, Aleksander Stojanovic, raffled it. Two short range efforts by the big central defender but both effective against Red Star. In the second half the game opened up and Celtic clinched it when Roy Aitken sent Paul Wilson away and his cross found ‘Shuggie’ Edvaldsson unmarked at the far post to score easily. Jock Stein got a mention for abusing a television commentator, Jim Barker, who had forecast a Red Star win. That game drew about 22,000 or 23,000, depending on which version of Laurie Schwab’s match report you prefer to read in the Age or Soccer Action.
Danny McGrain with the World of Sport trophy chaired by Ronnie Glavin, Paul Wilson and Peter Latchford
