| Match Pictures | Matches: 1952 – 1953 | 1952-53 Pictures |
Trivia
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Coronation Cup – Semi-final
- The semi final of the tournament played at Hampden in windy conditions. The other semi final was between Hibernian and Newcastle Utd. Hibernian had defeated Tottenham Hotspur after a replay and Newcastle Utd had overpowered Aberdeen.
- Manchester Utd were of course managed by Scotland’s own Matt Busby. He had been at the first round tie between Celtic and Arsenal and had a clear idea what to expect. Busby was most certainly a Celtic supporter and would have played for Celtic during the war years had not there then been the policy of not playing ‘guest’ players at Celtic during the war despite every other team playing this way.
- The Glasgow Herald report of the match (below) voices disapproval of the fact that several Eire flags were flown by the Celtic support.
Review
If not the ‘sparkling’ game produced in the first round against Arsenal then this was still a credit to Celtic and Manchester Utd with both teams going out for the win and Celtic prevailing.
Celtic played with the wind in the first half. Both Celtic’s goals were made by Tully who also injured himself during the game and was unlikely to make the Final. Peacock’s first goal was made through the exemplary skill of Tully who could have shot himself but instead side-stepped his opponent and chipped a back pass to Peacock who hit the ball on the volley for a certain goal. In the second half Tully spotted Mochan’s run and expected an inch perfect pass for Mochan to volley another great goal. Collins then hit the crossbar from another Tully pass.
Evans and McPhail as left and right wing halfs were again outstanding and made the game for Celtic playing Pearson and Downie out of the game. Peacock caused the Manchester Utd defence worries time and again.
Teams
Celtic:
Bonnar, Haughney, Rollo; Evans, Stein, McPhail; Collins, Walsh,Mochan, Peacock, Tully
Scorers : Peacock (24), Mochan (53)
Manchester United:
Crompton, McNulty, Aston, Carey, Chilton, Gibson, Violett, Downie, Rowley, Pearson, Bryne
Scorers: Rowley (77)
Referee: C E Faultless (Giffnock)
Attendance: 73,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Glasgow Herald 18th May 1953
Cartoon in the Daily Record, 18th May 1953, celebrating Celtic’s victory in the Coronation Cup against Man Utd
Evening Times May 18, 1953
Tully May Miss Cup Decider
(By ALAN BRECK)
Before the Coronation Cup Tournament started Hibernian were the most favoured of the
Scottish clubs to win the trophy and Celtic were reckoned to have no chance at all!
Now the two have vanquished their English opponents and it will be an all-Scottish final at Hampden on Wednesday.
The change in Celtic fortunes has been astonishing, and the Parkhead folk themselves share in the general wonderment.
Whether or not they win the cup, Celtic must go into the new season with high hopes.
Their prospects of success in the final have been dimmed by the Injury to Tully. He has a pulled muscle, and Jimmy McGrory reports he is unlikely to play.
Tully “made” the two Celtic goals against Manchester United.
Fernie is fit
BUT Fernie is fit again, and we may see him on the left wing with Peacock.
On their displays against Arsenal and Manchester United the Celts are worthy finalists. As for Hibernian they put on a terrific show in disposing of Newcastle United.
It is on the pleasure they have given us throughout the season that Hibernian will be mostly welcomed to the last stage. No other club is more worthy of this distinction.
For sheer consistency and for keeping intact the glory of forward play the Edinburgh team was almost duty bound to go to Hampden on Wednesday.
Evans and McPhail
It should be a grand occasion.
Against Manchester United the Celts repeated that gay, refreshing football which had sent Arsenal to defeat.
The United, who had delighted us against Rangers, found that Celtic had the wing half back power Rangers lacked.
Evans and McPhail played Pearson and Downie out of the game, and with that incredible energy which makes him unique, Evans would go far into the Manchester defences himself.
Matt Busby’s team gave us 10 minutes or so of rare football and even in their second-half distress they tried to play copy-book stuff.
But the Celts were not having any! They declined to be denied the prize and in keeping their heads and playing real good football I give them full marks.
In Silence
YES, Celtic are worthy, If surprising finalists.
We are an extraordinarily biased people. Those Manchester players must have thought they had few friends at Hampden!
They came out to a few half-hearted handclaps and when Rowley scored his splendid goal it was received in silence!
Perhaps the crowd were displeased to some decree. The un-seniorlike Manchester habit of denying the taker of a free kick his 10 yards clearance was not popular.
If the move was intended to rile it completely failed.
I thought the referee allowed players of both sides too much freedom with their arms. British football has ever decreasing reasons to complain how continentals push.
Extra Zest
CELTIC had as many football talents as the United, and they clinched the matter by that bit of extra zest and grit—things we have failed to detect in our English visitors.
At the same time’ we have been grateful for their coming.
They have showed us a good lot in how to tame the ball and in smooth combined play.
If only they had played at the speed for which English football is famed.