| Matches: 1889 1890 | 1887-1900 | Forum |
Celtic Games 1889 – Queen's Park
Trivia
- Scottish Cup 1st round tie played at Hampden.
- Before 11,000 spectators.
- The tie was ordered to be replayed at Hampden, and the admission charge was doubled to try and manage the crowd.
- James McLaren, though present was unable to take part.
Review
Queen's Park 2-1 Celtic
There were no goals scored in the first half of this Scottish Cup First round tie at Hampden Park.
After five minutes of the second half, James Hamilton headed through the first goal for the afternoon. Groves headed through the equalising goal for the Celtic after 25 minutes’ play in the second half. Then with only five minutes left to play Berry scored what proved to be the winning goal.
However, it is no disgrace to be defeated by the Queen’s Park, whose representatives on Saturday worthily upheld the honoured traditions and great achievements of the club. The only regret is that two such teams should have been drawn against each other in the first round, and it is to be hoped that, in order to prevent such an occurrence in future, the Scottish Association will adopt some such method as prevails in the regulation of the ties for the English Cup.
Teams
Queen’s Park:-
Gillespie, Arnott, Smellie, McAra, Robertson, Hector, Berry, J Hamilton, Stewart, Allan, Sellar.
Goals:- Hamilton 51, Berry 85.
Celtic:-
McLaughlin, Reynolds, McKeown, Gallagher, Kelly, W Maley, Madden, Dowds, Groves, Coleman, Dunbar.
Goal:- Groves 70.
Att:- 11,000.
Ref:- J. L. Robertson (Queen of the South Wanderers).
Umpires:- Mr Tom Maley of Celtic, and Mr DG Browne of Queen’s Park.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
From newspaper report from the time.
Queen’s Park v Celtic
The undecided tie in the first round of the Scottish Cup was replayed at Hampden Park, which was in fine condition. With the view of keeping the crowd within manageable limits, the price of admission was doubled, but despite this nearly 10,000 spectators witnessed the contest.
The match was a very fast one and a splendid exhibition of the dribbling code was given, resulting in a win for the Queen’s Park by two goals to one. Both teams had a good reception when they entered the field of play, and a start was made fully a minute before time. The Queen’s right got away from a pass of Robertson’s, and Kelly kicked out just in front of goal. Then Arnott put in a long kick from Coleman, Sellar running the ball down the wing where Reynolds kicked into touch twice. Arnott kicked the ball away from Groves’ foot, and then McLaughlin had to throw out.
From a run of James Hamilton’s, McKeown put in a long kick, but Arnott returned, and Hamilton sent the ball over the line. Allan, Hamilton, and Sellar got away, but Reynolds cleared with a rare overhead kick. This gave the Celts a grand chance, but Groves handled the ball. The Queen’s again got up by rare passing, but Hector made a very weak shot, and then Madden and Groves ran right to the other end. McAra got away the centre, and Berry was loudly cheered for some grand dodging along the touchline, fairly walking round Coleman and Maley. Sellar made a rare centre, but Maley got the ball away. Groves caused Gillespie to throw out, and then the Queen’s were away again, Berry shooting past.
The Queen’s had now settled down and at this stage were having the best of it. Reynolds was loudly cheered for tackling Sellar. The Queen’s right and centre got away and Kelly saved just in time to prevent certain disaster. Some bungling by the Celts backs let in Hamilton, but McLaughlin twice saved timely. Then Coleman put in a rare screw, which Gillespie threw out. The referee awarded the Queen’s a free kick for some shady work on the part of Dowds, a decision which was received with loud cheering. Some tricky passing by Hector, Berry and Hamilton gave the first-named a splendid chance, but he shot high and wide. The Celts got a foul in front of goal, and Groves sent in a hot one straight for goal. Smellie, however, headed out, and play was once more taken to the Celts goal. Kelly cleared, but the Queen’s got away again and again, although they could make no perceptible impression on the defence. Groves got a grand chance right in front from a centre of Madden’s, but the shot went high over the bar. Then Hamilton was tripped right in front, but although Allan Stewart made a rare shot, Kelly sent the ball out of danger. The play in the open was fairly good, but the backs were always too strong for the forwards on either side. In front of goal, from a shot of Arnott’s, Kelly showed the best piece of play of the day, clearing his goal, and dribbling the ball to the other end. A splendid bit of tackling by Arnott ended the first period, in which there was no scoring.
The Queen’s Park early took the lead in the second half, and Hamilton sent in a hot shot, which McKeown kicked out. Sellar again centred nicely, but Hamilton and the ball were bustled over the line by four of the “Greens”. Sellar came away with a rush, and banging the ball across, James Hamilton scored with a lightning shot, six minutes from the re-start. An exciting scrimmage took place in front of the Celtic goal a minute later, but McLaughlin cleared luckily. The referee cautioned Reynolds for kicking Hamilton.
Groves got away with one of his sensational runs, and although he kept ahead, Arnott and Smellie were in close pursuit, and his shot went wide. A corner to the Celts was watched amid great silence. A prolonged attack was kept up, but the backs kept Gillespie idle. Another corner fell to the Celtic, but Maley headed past after a most exciting scrimmage, amid loud cheering.
Hector scored again for the Queen’s, Sellar charging through McLaughlin, but, for some unapparent reason, the referee disallowed the point. The Queen’s were now playing grandly, completely beating their opponents. Reynolds was once more cautioned, and from the free kick a scrimmage occurred. The Queen’s almost scored again, Robertson striking the bar.
The Queen’s were having it all their own way. Hamilton sent in a rare shot, which missed by inches. Sellar next made a rare screw kick from the touch line and Berry banged the ball in, but it rebounded off Maley. The Queen’s had very hard lines.
Twenty-five minutes from the start the Celts got away, and the ball being centred from the right, Groves headed through what looked like a simple goal. The point was received with simply deafening cheers, again and again renewed.
The game was stopped for a couple of minutes through Groves being hurt, but he did not require to leave the field. Kelly sent in a long shot, which Gillespie fisted out, and then McLaughlin had an anxious time at the other end. He got the ball away from a rare corner of Sellars, but Robertson replied with a grand one, which struck the bar. The Queen’s came again, and by some marvellous saving a lot of luck, the Celts still held their goal, after half a dozen grand shots had been showered in on it. This was very hard lines on the Queen’s, and was received with great cheering.
After some very fast play the Queen’s got down to the Celtic territory, where Berry got the ball, and sent in a rare shot, which fairly beat McLaughlin, amidst a tremendous outburst of cheering. Some three or four minutes still remained till time, and each goal in turn was besieged, but the whistle sounded without anything further being scored, and the game ended:- Queen’s Park, 2 goals; Celtic, 1 goal.
Mr Tom Maley, and Mr DG Browne of Queen’s Park, umpires.
Mr J. L. Robertson (Queen of the South Wanderers) acted as referee with commendable decision and promptitude.
Report 2
The doubling of the price of admission had its effect upon the attendance at Hampden Park on Saturday afternoon, where the Queen’s and the Celtic met to play off their undecided tie in the first round of the Scottish Cup competition. There were only about 10,000 spectators, as compared with the 25,000 the previous week.
The weather was all that could have been desired for a good display of football, and the ground was in perfect condition. The extra week’s training enabled both teams to step on the field in the best possible condition, and those who entertained hopes of a brilliant game being witness were not disappointed.
Throughout the play was fast and exciting, and well worthy of the reputation of probably the two ablest exponents of Association football in Scotland this season. The Celtic, unfortunately, were without the services of their famous half-back, McLaren, who was indisposed, while the Queen’s relied on the same team as did duty for them last Saturday. Had A Hamilton partnered Berry instead of Hector, the premier club’s eleven would have been greatly strengthened, as Hector, clever player as he is, has not as yet shown the form which would entitle him to take part in a tie of the greatest importance.
In the first half of the game the play was so equal that neither side scored. The Celtic occasionally settled down to that pretty, machine-like passing characteristic of them on great occasions, but the defence of the Queen’s frustrated all efforts to score.
At the beginning of the second half the Queen’s came away with surprising dash, and in five minutes they scored the first goal of the day. They followed this up with another point, disallowed by the referee, and then, after 25 minutes had gone, the Celts, from a combined attack, equalised amidst the greatest excitement, Groves heading the ball through.
As time wore on it was thought that another draw would be the result, but five minutes before the close Berry, from a quick pass by Allan, scored the second and winning goal for the Queen’s Park. All round the play was of the highest order. Berry was the best of the Queen’s forwards, if not the best forward on the field. His tricky runs came off repeatedly, and had he been better supported more goals would probably have been scored. Robertson was the most effective of the half-backs, while the defence of Arnott and Smellie, especially the former, was superb. The great back was seen to the best advantage, and the way he tackled his opponents and time after time relieved them of the ball could not have been surpassed.
Gillespie in goal did not get so much work to do as McLaughlin, who played a great game, more particularly in the second half, when he saved shots which might have baffled a more experienced man. McKeown and Reynolds upheld their reputation at back, while the half-backs played consistently throughout, W Maley proving a good substitute for McLaren. The Celts’ front division could hardly be improved. They are possessed of capital wing players, while Groves in the centre showed form which would have done credit to an Oswald. He passed the ball more frequently and with greater precision than is his wont. Indeed, had some of his passes been taken more advantage of the probability is that his side would not have had to retire the losers.
However, it is no disgrace to be defeated by the Queen’s Park, whose representatives on Saturday worthily upheld the honoured traditions and great achievements of the club. The only regret is that two such teams should have been drawn against each other in the first round, and it is to be hoped that, in order to prevent such an occurrence in future, the Scottish Association will adopt some such method as prevails in the regulation of the ties for the English Cup.
Report 3
The Queen’s Park and the Celtic met on Hampden Park to play off their undecided tie in the first round of the Scottish Cup ties. The weather was favourable for a good display of football, and long before the advertised time for starting large crowds began to wend their way to Hampden Park. There was not, however, the bustle and excitement compared with that witnessed the previous week when the tie was played at Celtic Park. Of course, it must be taken into consideration that the price of admission was doubled. The covered stand was well filled, but round the ropes there was plenty of space left, and there was little overcrowding.
The Queen’s played precisely the same eleven as did duty for them last Saturday: but McLaren, although present, was unable to take his place in the Celtic team, as he was somewhat indisposed. His place was filled by W Maley. When play commenced, there were about 10,000 present.
The Celtic appeared first, followed shortly afterwards by the Queen’s, both being heartily cheered, especially the Queen’s from the occupants of the grand stand. The Celtic won the toss, and J Hamilton kicked off for the Queen’s. The Queen’s were the first to assume the aggressive, but a pass by Coleman transferred the ball to the other side, when Robertson interposed, and the ball was again sent into Celtic territory. There was some ball kicking by the backs of both sides. Arnott and Smellie repeatedly frustrated the efforts of the opposing forwards. A miss-kick by Allan allowed the Celtic forwards to show some pretty and tricky play, but neither side had as yet warmed to their work.
The Queen’s, however, gradually worked the ball down the field, and the Celtic goal escaped narrowly, as Berry sent in a shot which McLaughlin just managed to secure. The Celts were not long in bearing down on their opponents, and a pass by Groves gave Coleman an excellent chance, but he shot somewhat wide of the mark. However, a corner was conceded to the Celts immediately afterwards, and the ball was nearly through the Queen’s goal. Arnott, however, came to the rescue, and cleared his lines, greatly to the relief of the Queen’s partisans. Hector sent in a feeble shot, and then the Celtic forwards were once more at it.
The ball was sent in from the right, and it seemed as if Coleman must score. Arnott again saved, but he landed the ball at the feet of Kelly who sent in a beautifully directed shot which just went over the crossbar. Both teams were now showing their true form, and were repeatedly cheered for some really clever bits of play. Berry dodged round Coleman and passed to Hector, who for the second time missed a splendid opportunity.
The game so far was very equally contested, and both goals were visited in turn, and almost captured. Berry was in great form, but did not receive the support he should have done from Hector.
The Celtic forwards were passing beautifully, but the Queen’s backs were invincible. Once more the Queen’s hovered dangerously near the Celtic’s goal, and Allan Stewart almost scored. Time after time the Celtic forwards were defeated by the strong back play of the Queen’s, who would have scored from a smart shot by Sellar but for the alertness of McLaughlin .
In turn Gillespie was called to save his charge, and the ball being got away, Berry again dodged his opponents, but was ultimately tackled by McKeown. The Celtic forwards were in the right mood, and Groves was passing most unselfishly, and finding the forwards in a way that he had never done before.
There was occasionally a little ill-temper shown by the players, but probably the one team was as much to blame as the other. Play slackened down somewhat: for a time neither side seemed able to do much. The Queen’s got the ball to the other end, and, after bobbing from head to head, the Celtic got it away, only to be returned. Berry gave Hamilton a good chance, but he passed to Hector, who seemed fairly out of it, and shot feebly past.
The Celtic now got a foul some yards from the Queen’s goal, but the ball was easily got away, and another foul given against the Queen’s enabled the Celts to get near Gillespie, but all to no avail.
For the Queen’s Hamilton tried to score, but he was too far from goal, and at the other end Groves tried to score with a long shot, which went far over the crossbar. The salvation of the Queen’s was in their back play, Arnott on several occasions proving far too much for Coleman and Dunbar, good as they undoubtedly are.
The Celtic towards the close of the first half got a corner, but nothing came of it. All round the Celtic were fully the better team, but the grand defence of Arnott proved a great barrier to their further progress. Twice, however, the Queen’s were on the point of scoring, and then Madden – for the Celtic – had the best individual run of the day, fairly outpacing Smellie, but the final effort came to nothing, and when half-time was called neither side had scored.
On resuming, the play was watched with the greatest of interest. Sellar had a grand chance to score, but he dallied too long, and McKeown coming in front he sent the ball behind. The Queen’s were no doubt doing the pressing, and were often in front of goal, but lost opportunities through indecision. Sellar was conspicuous several times, but Reynolds watched him closely.
After seven minutes the Queen’s scored amidst tremendous applause. Berry passed the ball to Hector, who sent it back to Hamilton, who had no difficulty in sending it through. An appeal was made, and the referee decided in favour of the Queen’s, and shortly afterwards the Celtic again narrowly escaped downfall from a shot by Robertson.
A keen struggle was now witnessed between Groves and Arnott and Smellie. The Celt had the better of it, with his great speed, but nothing resulted. The Celts were then awarded a foul close to the Queen’s goal, and some exciting work was witnessed. The ball was repeatedly sent in, but Arnott again came to the Queen’s defence. The Celts were now having the best of it, and were conceded a corner, which was well enough placed, but the ball was ultimately sent behind.
After a quarter of an hour’s play the Queen’s got to the other end, and Hector with a screw kick scored. The point was disputed, and the referee decided in favour of the Celts on the ground that Sellar, who was offside touched the ball as it was going through.
The Queen’s were now having the advantage, and they had very hard lines on not increasing their score from a shot which rebounded off the bar and went into play. The Celts became disheartened, and for a time allowed the Queen’s to do pretty much as they liked. Sellar, from a smart pass, gave both Allan and Berry a chance to score, but they did not avail themselves of the opportunity.
Shortly afterwards the Celts got to the other end, and a tremendous cheer announced that the Parkhead men had scored, and thus equalised the score after 25 minutes’ play. Groves was the man who headed the ball through from a beautiful combined play by the forwards. The game was now stopped owing to an accident to Groves, who, however, soon recovered, and play was resumed.
Both sides continued to play with the utmost determination in order to put on the winning point, but it looked as if the game would end in another draw. The Queen’s obtained a corner, which was beautifully placed by Sellar, and Robertson sent in a stinging shot which struck the crossbar, and the ball was cleared away by McLaughlin.
A most exciting scene followed. The Queen’s kept up a perfect siege at the Celts’ goal, and shot after shot, which looked impossible to save, was sent in. McLaughlin, however, kept cool, and time after time sent the ball out amidst the cheers of the spectators. The Celts, after this sharp attack, bore down upon their opponents, but the Queen’s defence was equal to all calls made upon it.
Indeed, the Queen’s were having the best of it, and it was only the superb play of McLaughlin which kept them from scoring .
About five minutes from the close the Queen’s got well down, and Allan passing to Berry, the latter scored, and won a hard and fast game.
Result – Queen’s Park, 2 goals; Celtic, 1 goal.