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Celtic Games 1890 – Hearts
Trivia
- Friendly match played at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh.
- Before 7,000 spectators.
Review
The Celtic played a friendly with the Heart of Midlothian. The teams were very equally balanced, but the Hearts fought hard to wipe off the severe defeat they suffered on the occasion of their Glasgow visit. The Celts missed McLaughlin at goal and two forwards, and the ground told very heavily against them.
Of the Hearts, Scott and Baird, the left-wingers, played a grand game. But for a regrettable incident the match might have been drawn instead of ending in the defeat of the Celts by a goal to nothing.
Teams
Celtic:-
Anderson, Reynolds, McKeown, Kelly, Gallagher, McLaren, W Maley, Dowds, Groves, Coleman, Dunbar.
Hearts:-
Gibson, Adams, Roberts, Hill, Begbie, McLeod, Taylor, Jenkinson, McPherson, Scott, Baird.
Goal:- Taylor.
Att:- 7,000.
Ref:- Mr Waugh. St Bernard’s.
From newspaper reports from the time
Report 1
The Scotsman – Monday, 10th February 1890, page 4
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian – A vast amount of interest was taken in the return contest between these clubs which was decided at Tynecastle. The postponement of the East West match had the effect of greatly increasing the crowd, which at the start could not have been less than seven thousand. The stands were filled to their utmost capacity, and with the fine weather which prevailed the scene presented was animated and striking. Under foot the ground was somewhat treacherous, and the fast game which ensued came as an agreeable surprise to the onlookers. Contrary to general expectation, the Celtic retired defeated by one goal to nothing but it is bare justice to the visitors to state that three of their regular team were absent. The Hearts were without Mackay, but his absence was hardly felt, as Gibson was seldom troubled. At 3.35 – twenty minutes late – the Hearts having lost the toss set the ball in motion, and the players were soon in the thick of the fray. The old Hibernian player, McLaren, was the first to attract the notice of the crowd, an excellent piece of tackling, followed by a dribble half the length of the field, gaining the veteran a well earned round of applause. The excellent combination of the left wing of the home team was a source of annoyance to Gallagher and Reynolds, their defensive powers being taxed to the utmost in keeping Baird and Scott at bay. At last the little man broke down the opposing defence, and for some time the Celts were hard pressed. The downfall of their goal seemed imminent, when Hill with a rash shot threw away a great chance. A very clever run initiated by Dowds took the play in dangerous proximity to Gibson, and Groves all but lowered the Hearts’ colours with an excellent attempt, which missed by a foot. Another of Baird’s famous runs completely relieved the siege, and passing at the right moment to Taylor, the latter sent the ball home amid tremendous cheering. Taylor appeared to be suspiciously near the goalkeeper when he received the ball, and the Celts confidently claimed off-side. Mr Waugh, however, ordered the ball to be centred amid a renewed outburst of cheering, the home team still held the upper hand after this success, and another goal was put through, only to be disallowed for palpable off-side. With the exception of a machine-like run by the Celts’ forwards, the remainder of the first period was uneventful. The Celts entered upon the second portion of the game somewhat with their accustomed dash, and Gibson was soon called upon to negotiate a capital shot from the foot of Dunbar. McLaren was playing a wonderful game for the visitors, quite worthy of his palmy Easter Road days. It was entirely through his efforts that the Hearts had a spell of defensive work, at which Begbie proved himself quite an adept. The game, which hitherto had been very fast, slowed down considerably, the heavy work having a visible effect on both teams. Groves saw his opportunity at this stage of the proceedings, and with one of his effective yet familiar runs succeeded in passing all the backs. Adams made after the Celt, but as the latter was steadying himself for his final aim, grassed him heavily. Groves appeared to be badly stunned, and on recovering he and Adams resorted to blows, the game in the meantime being stopped. A “scene” appeared certain, but the intervention of the police and the Hearts’ officials, combined with the good offices of Hill, set matters to right. This unfortunate incident was not without its effect on the game, which deteriorated considerably. The Celtic had apparently lost their interest in the match, and the Hearts held the upper hand to the finish. Nothing further was scored, and amid a scene of unparalleled excitement the home players retired victorious by one goal to nothing.
Report 2
These teams decided their return friendly match at Tynecastle, Edinburgh. The Hearts were, with one exception, fully represented, while the Celtic were without McLaughlin, Madden, and McCallum. When the Hearts kicked off there were fully 7,000 persons.
The Celtic returned, but Groves’ final delivery was high. Play then continued open, very much on account of the slippery ground. The Hearts subsequently for a time had the best of the play, but twice the ball was sent behind. The Celtic now had the best of it, but Groves twice bungled his delivery.
Baird now drew away, and Taylor, getting a chance, scored amid great enthusiasm. The visitors protested, apparently on the ground of offside, but the referee Mr Waugh, allowed the point. The Tynecastle club continued to press, and Baird, from a pass from Taylor, beat Anderson, but the point was disallowed on account of offside. The Hearts were now playing a grand game, but the Celts defended well and half-time was called with the score – Hearts, 1 goal; Celtic, 0.
On changing ends the Celts showed up in grand style, their clear passing being a treat to witness. The Hearts, however, were fully equal to the demands made on them, and on two occasions gave Anderson some concern. Play latterly became very fast, and Groves getting away with a clear field, and Adams, closely behind, was just about to shoot, when the latter tripped the Celt up, and thus saved a certain goal. A foul was claimed, but not given, and the incident led to an unusual and unseemly scuffle between the two players which, however, did not prevent play being resumed a few minutes later.
The game now quietened down considerably, and the play of both teams was poor, the Celts being weakened by the absence of Dowds, who had previously got injured.
Time was called, and a disappointing game ended – Hearts, 1 goal; Celtic, 0