| Match Pictures | Matches:1953 – 1954 | 1953-54 pictures |
Trivia
- Bobby Collins came back in at the expense of Tully at outside right.
- The team was being urged not to rest on it's trophies – that is, not to sit back into complacency and belief that the progress seen in the play through last season's Coronation Cup victory would immediately translate itself into sparkling play in games against Scottish opposition this season or to believe that everything was in place for wins. The loss against Aberdeen had shown that overwhelming positional and tactical superiority meant nothing unless it was translated into goals and wins. As such this game was crucial to measure the change in belief at the top as well as the translation of that belief through the team.
Review
This was far more of an even game than the Aberdeen game had been. East Fife took the fight to Celtic in the first half and the result was a fairly even half of attack and counter-attack. A half-time goalless score reflected the to and fro of the game with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. Bonnar was back to his best in the Celtic goal and was called upon numerous times to make saves from the East Fife forwards. Peacock opened the scoring against the run of play with a shot from the 18 yard line. Fleming equalised for the Methil side on 81 minutes to make it honours even at full time.
Jock Stein fractured his nose in this game. Despite the injury though, he kept playing and it was hoped he would be fit enough to continue and not add to the longer term injury list.
| Team | Played | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Aberdeen | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Airdrie | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Celtic | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| East Fife | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
Teams
East Fife:
Curran; Emery, S Stewart; Christie, Finlay, Mclennan; J Stewart, Fleming, Bonthrone, Gardiner, Matthew.
Scorers: Fleming (81)
Celtic:
Bonnar, Haughney, Rollo; Evans, Stein, McPhail; Collins, Walsh, Mochan, Peacock, Fernie.
Scorers: Peacock (69)
Referee: R J Smith (Rutherglen)
Attendance: 16,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)