| Match Pictures | Matches: 1954 – 1955 | 1954-55 pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic had taken the players and officials to Switzerland to see the games and training of the teams in the 1954 World Cup. Scotland lost both their Group games – 1-0 to Austria and a crushing 7-0 defeat to Uruguay, but it was the quarter final game between Hungary and Brazil which brought forth indignation from Robert Kelly, with the Chairman and head of the SFA stating that no Celtic player would have to go to a World Cup game given the disgraceful conduct of Hungary and Brazil (the game had been a rough house with three players sent off).
- Planning permission had been given for the erection of cantilever steelwork and roofing for the projected covering of the West Terraces at Celtic Park.
- Celtic began the season having parted with Alex Rollo (Kilmarnock), George Hunter (Derby County) and Sam Hemple (Albion Rovers). Tony Hepburn, Murphy and John Duffy were also released . In came a third goalkeeper Eamon McMahon as well as Peter Goldie and a number of other signings from Junior sides who would not progress to the first team.
- Celtic were drawn in a group with Hearts, Falkirk and Dundee. Celtic started with the same line-up thata had finished the previous successful season.
- The League flag was unfurled by Mrs Robert Kelly before the start of the game.
- The 'A' side – basically the reserves – warmed up with a 6-1 win over East Stirling. The team was McMahon; Ryan, Baillie; Reid, Boden, Jack; Collins, Ryan, McIlroy, Gillies, Duncan. Bobby Collins was booked
Review
Higgins scored the first goal from a Tully corner. Falkirk's new signing from Junior football, bert Ormond was having a good game for the Bairns and caused the defense some worrying moments. Tully and Mochan bioth found it hard to get into the game but on 34 minutes they combined and Mochan's shot was forced over the line by Fallon. Two goals up they started to play better with Mochan shooting from distance and Willie fernie going on some mazy runs. Just before the interval the scenario of the second goal was repeated with Slater failing to hold a Mochan shot and Fallon putting away the loose ball.
The heavens opened for the start of the second half. Celtic continued to put the Falkirk goal under pressure and should have been awarded a penalty when Higgibns was pushed to the ground by Rae. Mochan hit the crossbar and a post. Celtic ended up winning easily but much of their play was described as 'slack and careless'.
| Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts |
| Celtic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Hearts | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Dundee | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Falkirk | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Teams
Celtic:
Bonnar; Haughney, Meechan; Evans, Stein, Peacock; Higgins, Fernie, Fallon, Tully, Mochan.
Scorers: Higgins (10), Fallon 2 (35, 44)
Falkirk:
Slater; Sievewright, Rae; Black, McKenzie, Hunter; Sinclair, Morrison, Ormond, McCrae, Kelly.
Scorers:
Referee: D Gerrard (Aberdeen)
Attendance: 46,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)