| Match Pictures | Matches:1953 – 1954 | 1953-54 pictures |
Trivia
- The game was an all ticket game. In the week leading up to the match both clubs were written to by the Chief Constable of Glasgow asking the clubs to "…take every step possible to prevent rowdyism". The clubs and the SFA had also heard from Glasgow Magistrates. The magistrates were taking steps through the Secretary of State for Scotland to get all football grounds licensed so that they could impose sanctions directly on clubs. They had also moved that all acts associated with football hooliganism would be tried in the Sherriff Court and thus be liable to heavier penalties.
- At the turn of the year Celtic stood in fourth position in the League on 19 points with two games in hand. Queen of the South were still front runners on 24 points with Dundee and Hearts behind.
- McPhail was fit again and Hemple dropped out.
- The white ball was used for the game. However at the start of the game the referee had been handed two white balls and an orange ball and had chosen the white ball. At kick off Young stated that they had agreed to play with an orange ball. This might have been an addition to tension but Mowat stood firm saying that it was his choice and no one else's to pick the match ball.
Review
The 53,000 crowd was exemplary and there were no arrests.
A magnificent Celtic attack was all but matched by a steadfast Rangers defense. Woodburn's only mistake of the game allowed Mochan to score. Having scored Celtic proceeded to press for another goal and it became one way traffic. Collins was immaculate in spreading the play and Fernie showed superb ball control. Evans and Peacock showed the better fitness of the Celtic team and they never stopped running. Even Meechan showed a mastery of Waddell, who was it has to be said recovering from illness and had not been expected to make the game. Haughney also mastered Hubbard and Stein patrolled the centre of the park giving Gardiner nothing. Rangers failed to get a shot on goal which tested Bonnar.
Celtic deserved to win the game through their better fitness and passing. More and more they played the forwards as a complete unit including half backs Evans and Peacock in their attacs. This was the key to success.
Teams
Celtic:
Bonnar; Haughney, Meechan; Evans, Stein, Peacock; Higgins, Fernie, McPhail, Collins, Mochan.
Scorers: Mochan (60)
Rangers:
Brown; Young, Little; McColl, Woodburn, Cox; Waddell, Grierson, Gardiner, Prentice, Hubbard.
Scorers:
Referee: J A Mowat (Burnside)
Attendance: 53,000
Articles
Evening Times 2nd January 1954
Glasgow Herald 2nd January 1954
- Match Report (see end of page below)