1888-08-04: Celtic 3-2 Hibernian, Friendly

Trivia

• Played at Celtic Park, Glasgow.
• Before 5,000 spectators.
• Celtic’s first ever match v Hibernian, the match clearly seen and reported as one to entice players from Hibernian to Celtic.
• The only Hibs player who subsequently did move to Celtic was Willie Naughton, but that was two years after this match and came to Celtic from Carfin Shamrocks & Glasgow Hibernian.
• Players in those days were amateurs, and there was no organised league or set-up, so players were able to mostly move around as they wished depending on work or other reasons.
• Five Celtic players were ex-Hibs’ men: Groves, Coleman, McLaren, Gallacher, and McKeown.

Reviews

First meeting between the two teams, and was reported in one report (see below) as supposedly as one to entice players from Hibernian to Celtic.

Looking at the Hibs team, the only player who subsequently did move to Celtic was Willie Naughton BUT that was two years later and that was after he’d already moved to Carfin Shamork and then Glasgow Hibernian). So the report was very wrong, and clearly this match was never for enticing anyone further from Hibernian.

Five Celtic players were ex-Hibs’ men: Groves, Coleman, McLaren, Gallacher, and McKeown. Of these five, they were all originally from & born Glasgow or the West of Scotland. John Coleman who was actually born in Dublin and was a friend of the the Maleys.  Technically all the players were amateur, and even back in those days players moved around a lot.

Pre-match Advert

Edinburgh Evening News 6th August 1888

Glasgow Herald 6th August 1888

The Scotsman 6th August 1888

The Lancashire Post 11th August 1888

The Scotsman – Monday, 6th August 1888, page 4

Football

Celtic 3, Hibs 2

Hibernians v Celtic – The Hibernians on Saturday inaugurated the football season at Glasgow by playing the newly-organised Celtic at Parkhead. The ground team, as is well known has been the means of alluring several of the more prominent members of the Hibernians from Easter Road, and this fact, and the uncertainty of the composition of the visiting team, attracted a crowd of persons. Losing the toss, the Hibernians kicked off, with the sun in their eyes. McGhee at once started off and gained a corner, which proved fruitless. The Celts for fully fifteen minutes had much the best of the play. McCallum being in splendid form the goal on several occasions had narrow escapes through his exertions. Aided by a foul, the Hibs bore down on their opponents, and Smith, with a swift, low shot, scored the first goal amid great cheers. Still keeping up the pressure the wearers of the green experienced hard lines in not increasing their score. With an open field Groves and McCallum carries the leather to the opposite and, the former with a rather easy shot putting the teams level. Half-time arrived with the scores standing one goal each. When the second half was ten minutes old, McGhee sustained and injury to his leg, and retired. Despite this the Hibernian played best, and Naughton scored. Five minutes later Coleman equalised.

The Celts improved, and Groves put on a third point. The sympathies of the crowd seemed to be with the Hibernians, judging from the cheering. Towards the close they should have scored, but fate was against them.

THE SCOTTISH UMPIRE 07/08/1888

The Hibernians had the honour of opening the football season in Glasgow, their opponents being the recently formed Celtic, a combination of first class players. The secession of several prominent men from the Easter Road club, the uncertainty of the composition of the visiting eleven and the probability of a battle royal between the rivals attracted close on 5000 persons. With the exception of Dunbar the Celtic played their advertised team, which included Groves, Coleman, McLaren, Gallacher, and McKeown, all ex-Hibs’ men. The vacancies in the Hibernians were filled up by McVey, Mulvie, Smith, Clark, and Naughton. Although having the worst of the game the Hibs were the first to score after 20 minutes play, but Coleman soon after equalised, the score at half time standing at one goal each. In the second portion the Edinburgh forwards showed to better advantage and were doing most of the pressing till McGhee’s ankle gave way and he had to retire. Although thus handicapped Naughton again scored, but the Celts through McCallum’s exertions again drew level and ere time arrived Groves added a third point. Docherty kept a splendid goal and was ably assisted by McVey at back, his tackling and strong kicking being much admired. The halfs worked hard, while in the front line Mulvie, Smith, and Naughton were always conspicuous, the former’s dodging abilities being extremely good. For the Celtic Dunning at goal was safe, McKeown played a steady game at back, but the half-backs did not come up to expectation, McLaren, in particular, being fairly out of form. The combination of the forwards was poor, though McCallum and Groves put in a lot of useful work. Coleman works hard but is too selfish.