| Match Pictures | Matches: 1967 – 1968 | 1967-68 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic travelled south on the Friday to play Newcastle. The game had been set up with the free weekend after Celtic were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Dunfermline. The team was based at Gateshead. Neither Jim Craig, John Hughes nor Bertie Auld travelled south, with Jim Craig turning out at centre half for the Reserves.
- Jimmy Johnstone played in the unusual inside right position in the number 8 shorts.
- Young 18 year old George Connelly plays for the first time in the full representative Celtic side.
- Ronnie Simpson captains Celtic on his return to St James' Park. Ronnie had 10 seasons at St James' Park and was a known and respected ex-Newcastle player and had won two FA Cup medals with the team.
- Very cold conditions; snow on the pitch melts in as the sun appears during the game.
- In goal for Newcastle Utd was Gordon Marshall Snr who had been at Hearts and would go on to become a Celt. Bobby Robson, future England manager was at outside left. Left out was ex-Celt and Hibernian John McNamee who was injured
- A busy day on the silvery Tay! Hearts beat Dundee United 6-5 at Tannadice in the Scottish cup and Rangers were held 1-1 by Dundee at Dens Park.
- The Reserves, who also needed to play games in hand in their league, played Aberdeen Reserves this day. The team was Fallon, Young, Gorman, Cattanach, Craig, Hay, Taggart, 'Newman', Quinn, McMahon, Macari. The 'Newman' may have been Paul Wilson who had recently been taken onto the groundstaff. They lost 2-1 after opening the scoring.
Review
Ronnie Simpson excelled on his return to St James' Park. In the first half he saved well from Robson and Scott and in 32 minutes he made a stunning save from Bryan Pop Robson. Johnstone provided his full repertoire for Celtic and Lennox should have done better after a cute Wallace back heel set him up.
In the second half both Simpson and Marshall continued their fine form but eventually Simpson was beaten by a shot from Scots forward Jim Scott.
Teams
Newcastle United:
Marshall Burton Clark Elliott Winstanley Moncur Sinclair Scott Davies K Robson B Robson Sub: Duffy
Marshall Burton Clark Elliott Winstanley Moncur Sinclair Scott Davies K Robson B Robson Sub: Duffy
Scorer: Jim Scott
Celtic:
Simpson, Gemmell, O'Neill, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Wallace, Johnstone, McBride, Connelly, Lennox. Substitute Brogan
Simpson Gemmell O'Neill Murdoch McNeill Clark Wallace Johnstone McBride Connelly Lennox Sub: Brogan
Simpson, Gemmell, O'Neill, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Wallace, Johnstone, McBride, Connelly, Lennox. Substitute Brogan
Simpson Gemmell O'Neill Murdoch McNeill Clark Wallace Johnstone McBride Connelly Lennox Sub: Brogan
Referee: K Howley (Billingham)
Attendance: 38,790
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
