| Match Pictures | Matches: 1954 – 1955 | 1954-55 pictures |
Trivia
- Neil Mochan was restored to the left wing with Jimmy Walsh moving to centre forward; Fallon dropped back to left back not before time as many said, with Frank Meechan missing out. Tully was still out injured. Both Baillie and Collins were injured.
- In the week leading up to the game Celtic signed Alec Byrne, an outside left, from Gourock Juniors. This was despite Byrne having played two trial games for Third Lanark.
- The game was an all ticket game and this was used as one of the reasons for the low turnout. The ground limit had been set at 70,000 so at least 25,000 tickets were unsold. The main reason for the low attendance was probably the dissatisfaction of both sets of supporters with their respective team's performance so far this season.
- There was the usual outbreak of bottle throwing outside the ground after the match but apart from that and the usual display of 'colours' and tribal singing, only one arrest was notified by the police from the Rangers end. Further evidence of the crackdown by the authorities dealing with football hooliganism was that the arrested guy got 40 days jail for breach of the peace – it was his ninth offense!
Review
Generally a mediocre match. Bonnar twice saved the day for Celtic when he firstly baulked McCulloch in the middle of the penalty area and then three minutes from time he saved magnificently a shot from Simpson which he probably did not see until the last minute. In the final minute of the game Higgins scored a second Celtic goal, and for all Rangers late rally the result was a fair one.
Both defenses were compact and both sets of forwards pretty inneffectual. Walsh scored a wonder goal in the second half turning Stanners and firing past Niven from the 18 yard line after he had been set up by an Evans run and pass. Rangers protetsed that Walsh had nudged Styanners off the ball but the goal stood. Fernie made Higgins goal with a turn of speed and dribbling that effectively ruled the Rangers defenders out before chipping for Higgins to head home. Fallon was simple and effective back in defense. Prentice was cautioned for dissent.
Teams
Celtic:
Bonnar; Haughney, Fallon; Evans, Stein, Peacock; Higgins, Boden, Walsh, Fernie, Mochan.
Scorers: Walsh (59), Higgins (89)
Rangers:
Niven; Young, Little; McColl, Stanners, Rae; McCulloch, Grierson, Simpson, Prentice, Hubbard.
Scorers:
Referee: J A Mowat (Burnside)
Attendance: 45,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times 18th September 1954
Glasgow Herald 20th September 1954
Evening Times 18/9/54
