| Match Pictures | Matches: 1930 – 1931 | 1931 Pictures |
Trivia
- Charlie Napier opened the scoring in 51 minutes but seven minutes later St Mirren were awarded a penalty and Bobby Rankin scored from the spot. Bertie Thomson closed out the game with a headed goal in 75 and another in 88 minutes.
- Fifer David Robertson is in goal for the Celts as his fellow Fifer John Thomson is on international duty.
- Scotland disappointed in the international with Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast, and though a Scottish victory was fully expected, the visitors had to be satisfied with a draw, and in the end they had good, reason to be thankful that they did not suffer defeat. Early in the game the Scots did everything but score. The forwards were poor finishers. Later the Scottish goalkeeper, John Thomson came to the rescue of the side with some fine saving; he saved particularly well from McCleary (Linfield), Jones (Linfield), and Roberts (Glentoran). Though Thomson hardly had a save in the first half his good play in the second half saved Scotland from defeat. Scarff and Morton had poor games. Eddie Falloon (Aberdeen) was the only Irish player from a club outside the island.
- In England 50,000 watched top club Arsenal beat bottom of the table Manchester United by 4-1. Sunderland hosted Middlesbrough at Roker Park where Scot, Leonard, scored the opener in a 1-1 draw watched by 40,000.
- The Prince of Wales and Prince George received an enthusiastic welcome when they arrived at Santiago de Chile, the capital of Chile, the Prince of Wales spoke from the British Embassy in the city by wireless telephone with King George at Buckingham Palace. The conversation lasted several minutes, and the Prince was able to give the King some account of his South American experiences.
- "Charlie" Chaplin motored to Chequers on Saturday to lunch with Mr Ramsay MacDonald. Mr Alastair MacDonald, one of the Prime Minister's sons, who had met "Charlie" at Hollywood, called for him at his hotel, and travelled with him. Chaplin met Mr Ramsay MacDonald in England ten years ago, and was anxious to renew the acquaintanceship.
Review
Teams
SAINT MIRREN:
Fotheringham, Baird, Gebbie, Colquhoun, Walker, Miller, Whitters, J. Riley, McCrae, Rankin, Stewart.
Scorers:
Rankin.
CELTIC:
D. Robertson, Cook, McGonagle, Geatons, McStay, Whitelaw, R. Thomson, A. Thomson, McGrory, Napier, Kavanagh.
Scorers:
Napier, R. Thomson, (2).
Referee:
Attendance: 14,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
The Scotsman – Monday, 23rd February 1931, page 5
CELTIC’S GOOD VICTORY AT PAISLEY.
The 14,000 spectators at the St Mirren-Celtic match, at Paisley, were treated to a stirring game, despite the weakened forces fielded by both teams.
The changes did not make a great difference to the play of the Celtic, but no doubt the enforced inclusion of new men in the Saints' eleven helped to let them down.
The sides fought out the first half without a goal, though the Celts went near to scoring on not a few occasions. St Mirren's luck held good during these raids, for the defence showed little real ability in clearing.
The bringing down of McGrory just outside the penalty line in the early stages of the second half led to the Celtic's opening score. Napier took the kick, and the ball passed between a group of St. Mirren men to Fotheringham, who touched it, but was unable to save his goal.
A "penalty" went St Mirren's way five minutes later, and Rankin equalised.
The consistent Celtic pressure could not be held and a quarter of an hour from the end R. Thomson put his side on the lead by heading a ball in, and before the finish the same player secured a third goal for his side.
A feature of the match was the many chances which McGrory, the Celtic centre, had, and could not take. Several times he was through, but the goalkeeper was always there. Though he was shaky for a time, Fotheringham latterly gave a great display.
All over, the Celtic played the better football. The Saints were principally spoilers, but their raids, though of a spasmodic nature, latterly were often productive of thrills. They would have made more of their goal visits had they kept the ball swinging more. The Celtic earned the points.
