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Celtic Games 1888 – Renton
Trivia
- A friendly match played at Celtic Park, Parkhead.
- Before 8,000 spectators.
- The "gate" amounted to the noble sum of £800, all of which went to the St Vincent de Paul Society for charitable purposes.
Review
Teams
Celtic:-
Dunning, Gallagher, McKeown, W Maley, Kelly, McLaren, McCallum, Dunbar, Groves, T Maley, Coleman.
Goal:- McLaren.
Renton:-
Lindsay, G. Campbell, Hannah, J. McCall, A. McCall, H. Gardner, Brown, H. Campbell, J. Campbell, Davie, McNee.
Att:- 8,000.
Articles
These two teams, whose form has been so much canvassed so far as the season has gone, met in the Celtic Park at Parkhead. the grand stand and the whole ground were crowded, and probably 7000 or 8000 spectators were present.
Nottingham Evening Post 10th November 1888
Aberdeen Press & Journal 12th November 1888
Birmingham Daily Post 11th November 1888
Dundee Courier 12th November 1888
Glasgow Herald 12th November 1888
The Scotsman 12th November 1888
The Scotsman – Monday, 12th November 1888, page 5
Celtic v Renton – A vast crowd assembled at Celtic Park on Saturday to witness the first meeting of these clubs. Both teams were out in strength. The home team led off, and Kelly with a long shot tried Lindsay, but danger was averted. The Celtic maintained the advantage for a little, but gradually they measured their opponents and from this point to the close the contest waged fast and furious. Occasionally the pressure of Renton was so great that the home backs had to kick behind for safety. But for McKeown, whose play was of the highest order, Renton must have scored in this half. Thus the issue was fought out attack and defence in turn – and throughout the greatest excitement was visible behind the ropes. The Celtic forwards came away brilliantly, and play gave indications of becoming rather rough.
At half-time neither had scored, and renewing with the wind in their favour, it seemed any odds on Renton pulling through. McCall went extreme right, in the endeavour to strengthen the weakest part of the visitors attack, and this change worked well. In the last fifteen minutes play was mostly confined to home territory, and shot after shot was sent in to no purpose. The Celtic transferred operations to the other end, and after an unsuccessful attempt by T. Maley, McCallum managed a corner so well that McLaren had no difficulty in heading through the first goal for the Celtic – a very lucky score indeed. Renton replied with a strong attack, but in vain. The remainder of the game was stubbornly contested, and when time was called the result was the same – one goal to nothing in favour of the Celtic.
- Match Report (See Below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
From newspaper reports from the time.
Report 2
The match between Renton and Celtic was a most interesting one, as much on account of the anticipations as to the position of the clubs at the end of the season as the forms each displayed.
It may be doubted if a faster game has been played in the Glasgow district this season. From beginning to end there was not a dull minute, and every man knowing his place, did the work that fell to his task, and did it well.
Renton, in the first half, were rather bothered by having to play against a nasty "quirky" wind, which did good to no one, except that it made the Celtic appear rather the stronger club. That appearance notwithstanding, and despite the fact that the new combination won by a goal to nothing, it may be gravely doubted if there is a goal between the two clubs all weather conditions being satisfactory.
The passing and dodging on both sides were admirable, and the whole play, except a little roughness for a time, was an excellent display of genuine football. The form shown by both clubs is a sure presage of a lively contest if they should have the good fortune to meet in a cup tie.
The weak spot of Renton is the right wing, which will probably soon be strengthened, and perhaps another good man at half-back would be an improvement.