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Celtic Games 1890 – Renton
Trivia
- Celtic’s first ever Scottish League match, was later declared void.
- Before 8,000 spectators.
- Renton were later expelled from the League and their results declared void, so this game was void.
Review
The match between the Celtic and Renton was witnessed by 8,000 spectators, the Irishmen being unexpectedly defeated by four goals to one.
Another surprise was the result of the Hearts and the Rangers, the Edinburgh team falling before their opponents by five goals to two.
Teams
Celtic:-
McLaren, Reynolds, McKeown, P Gallacher, Kelly, Dowds, H Gallacher, Naughton , Madden, Groves, and Crossan.
Goal:- H Gallagher.
Renton:-
Gow, McLean, Campbell, James Brown, H Gardiner, McNair, Hendry, Duncan, McArthur, James McCall, J Cameron.
Goals:- Cameron 1, James McCall 29, James Brown 30, James McCall 80.
Att:- 8000.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Stats
*Renton were expelled from the League and all their games were declared void.
**Cowlairs were deducted 2 points for a rules infringement.
From newspaper reports from the time.
Report 1
The Scotsman – Monday, 18th August 1890, page 4
Celtic v Renton –
Scottish League Match –This, the first of the championship series of matches, was decided at Parkhead in presence of 8000 spectators. The home team had only one fresh man from last season' s team, the recruit being Crossan, a Benburb colt. McLaren did duty at goal, while in front Hugh Gallagher and Saughton [Naughton] comprised the right wing, Madden going centre and Groves inside left. The Renton team was reconstructed forward and a strong division it is. The game started with Renton attacking, and within a very short time Cameron scored with a swift shot.
Returning to the fray, Renton surprised everybody with their dash and the perfection of their combination. The Celts' defence was severely tested, and frequently nonplussed. McCall shot a second goal, and following up the grand play thus early exhibited, the Renton forwards were rewarded with a third goal. The Celts were baffled and chagrined beyond measure at the non-success of their efforts. Occasionally they got beautifully away, but brilliant and powerful back play on the part of their opponents drove them back. At last H Gallagher got an opening, and the score at half-time stood:—Renton, three ; Celtic, one.
With the wind it was expected the ground club would put a different complexion on the state of affairs, but Renton not only held their own, but actually added a fourth goal ten minutes from the close, and unexpectedly emerged victorious from their first League engagement by four goals to one. Their display, it may be noted here, was equal to their best performances of the past.
Report 2
Played at Celtic Park, before 8,000 spectators. The Celtic kicked off with the wind against them, and had a beautiful pass to start with. One of the Renton half-backs, however, intervened, and the ball being sent well down the field, was kicked straight into goal. McLaren rushed out, and before he could get back Cameron shot a beautiful goal for Renton a minute from the start.
Runs and counter runs followed, and after a good run Crossan shot beautifully into goal, the ball just going about half a foot over the crossbar. Against the wind the Celts were making considerable progress, and a long shot from Groves was easily saved by Gow.
The Renton lads never relaxed their efforts, and McArthur took the ball up, and centring it well, McCall shot the second goal in grand style. From a foul Renton nearly added another point. However, in a second or two Renton gained a third goal, James Brown sending the ball through. The village lads were now playing in characteristic form, fairly making the rings round their opponents.
Once or twice, however, the Celtic had pretty hard lines in not scoring, the ball just passing the post, and Crossan sending in a capital shot, which Gow managed to catch and fist out.
The Celtic wakened up a bit from their listless style of play, and after thirty five minutes’ play, H Gallagher scored a good goal amidst great applause.
At half-time the score was – Renton, 3; Celtic, 1.
On restarting the Renton goal had a narrow escape. A corner was obtained, but the ball was got away only to be returned by the Celts, who, with the wind in their favour, were keeping Renton pretty well hemmed in, and several times they were within an ace of scoring.
The Celtic had unquestionably the best of the play in the second half; in fact, they seldom allowed Renton (who although playing well had undoubtedly all the luck that was going) to get over the centre line. The Renton goalkeeper played a very good game.
Renton scored a fourth goal from the right, McLaren failing to get his foot on the ball. The Celtic tried hard to increase their score but were unlucky, and the result of a surprisingly good game for the start of the season was – Renton, 4 goals; Celtic, 1 goal.