| Match Pictures | Matches: 1968 – 1969 | 1968-69 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic seal the treble in emphatic style! They have now won the three domestic trophies in the space of 28 days.
- Referee Jim Callaghan used a new 50 pence coin to use at the toss. Sports mimister Denis Howells allowed the new coin to be used even although it would not become legal tender for another 6 months.
- Match includes the famous Bobby Murdoch v Alex Ferguson picture!
- Rangers were strong favourites having demolished Aberdeen 6-1 in the semi-finals so this was not expected to be as one-sided as it became.
- Jimmy Johnstone and John Hughes were missing and Harry Hood was cup tied. Hughes had recovered from his ankle injury but was not match fit. Jimmy Johnstone was suspended (for two weeks) having picked up three yellow cards during the season. Rangers were missing Colin Stein.
- Celtic’s first win in a SCF over Rangers since 1904. Rangers first SCF defeat since 1930.
- Rangers so confident they had arranged a post match party at Ibrox with accordian bands….it was cancelled afterwards.
- Newspapers report that 200 arrested during and after the match after Rangers fans tried to invade the park at 4-0.
- Celtic fans were criticised in the press for booing during the pre match national anthem (God save the Queen) and waving Irish flags throughout it’s duration.
- At the end of the game the jubilant Celtic players ‘presented’ goalkeeper John Fallon to the supporters in view of his tremendous performance in goals.
- In the 1971 film, Dulcima, John Mills, for no plot reason, sits watching the goals from this game on the tv news. The Director must have been a Celtic man !
Preview
The Daily Record produced a preview magazine which can be viewed here.
Review
Jock Stein won the tactical battle over Davie White which led to an emphatic Celtic victory.
Rangers complained beforehand about the suspension of star striker Colin Stein but Celtic were missing first choice wingers Jimmy Johnstone, also with suspension, and John Hughes through injury.
Stein’s master stroke was to play wide men Connelly and Auld as deep lying midfielders which dragged the Rangers full backs forwards and left gaping gaps behind them for the speedy Chalmers and Lennox to exploit. It was the first real example of a Celtic side playing in a 4-4-2 formation.
This was a rough game and tackles were described as ‘brutal’ afterwards. Brogan was unlucky to be the only player afield to be booked. Ferguson appeared to head butt Murdoch but with no punishment. Murdoch, Auld, McNeill and Wallace all had forceful games in the heat of battle on a bare, fiery pitch which was not suitable to subtle play.
Celtic’s goals were memorable. McNeill’s early header set the tone and two goals on the stroke of half time killed the game. 19 year old Connelly’s goal was unforgettable, dispossessing Greig and rounding Martin easily to tap home. Lennnox raced clear to finish emphatically and Chalmers scored a classy goal on the break in the second half.
This led to a beak from the Rangers end but the Police dealt with it effectively.
No lap of honour was allowed at the end but when captain McNeill was presented with the cup instead of taking it down the steps he passed it back to each Celtic player who was then given their own personal rousing roar from 60,000 plus delirious Celtic fans in the stadium. This set a precedent which continued for years afterwards.
This was one of Jock Stein’s greatest days as Celtic manager….and there were plenty of them.
In later years Bertie Auld was to comment that he had seen this game twice. The first was on the Celtic tactics board at Parkhead as Stein explained to the team in advance what would happen and the second was on the pitch at Hampden on the day.
[Alex Ferguson] Fergie would soon be gone, too. “His last instruction was ‘Mark Billy McNeill’ and he didn’t [same competition, the Celtic captain opening the scoring in the 4-0 final of ’69].” Reputations stood or fell by what happened in Old Firm games, and still do.
Colin Stein (2023) The Rangers and Scotland legend who just wishes his parents had seen his scoring spree (scotsman.com)
Teams
CELTIC:
1 John Fallon
2 Jim Craig
5 Billy McNeill
6 Jim Brogan
3 Tommy Gemmell
7 George Connelly
8 Bobby Murdoch
11 Bertie Auld
10 Bobby Lennox
9 Stevie Chalmers
8 Willie Wallace
Goals:
- Billy McNeill 3′
- Bobby Lennox 44′
- George Connelly 45′
- Stevie Chalmers 76′
RANGERS:
1 Norrie Martin
2 Kai Johansen
4 John Greig
5 Ronnie McKinnon
3 Willie Mathieson
7 Willie Henderson
6 Dave Smith
8 Andy Penman
11 Örjan Persson
10 Willie Johnston
9 Alex Ferguson
Manager:
David White
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 132,870
Referee: Jim Callaghan
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Anecdote
Evening Times 28 April 1969
After being fined £5 at Glasgow Marine Court today Celtic fan Michael McGhee asked the magistrate – ‘Can I have my horn back ?’
The horn was confiscated by police when McGhee was arrested after the cup final on Saturday. McGhee, 22, of 39 Closeburn Street Possil admitted a breach of the peace in Keppochill Road.
Mr Kevin Breslin, the Fiscal, said McGhee was shouting ‘Celtic are the F*****g champions’ and ‘we are the people’.
He was making the noise from a horn, the type found on motor vehicles.
Baillie Thomas McLaren asked McGhee,’ Do you want it for next year ?’
He then told the court officer ‘Give him his horn back. Judging by Saturday’s result it looks as if he will be playing it for some time to come’.
Articles
Evening Times 26th April 1969
Glasgow Herald 28th April 1969
