Match Pictures | Matches: 1974 – 1975 | 1974-75 Pictures
Trivia
- Billy McNeill Celtic Testimonial
- Testimonials – Celtic Players/Managers
- This was Bill Shankly’s last game as Liverpool manager having announced his retirement as manager of Liverpool in July.
- He was allowed to take control for one last game as a special favour.
- McNeill estimated to have earned £50,000 from his testimonial game.
- On football in Scotland generally, the Glasgow baillies came up with a scheme to license EVERY game in Scotland to counteract rowdyism in football. This would mean the home clubs having to apply to the magistrates for a license every time they played – a truly unfeasible schem. They pressed ahead with their idea and sought a meeting with Prime Minister Harold Wilson to get their scheme going.
Review
The fans were treated to a fine game between league champions Celtic and English FA Cup holders Liverpool.
The great Bill Shankly took charge of the Anfield side for one last time to go head to head against his great friend Jock Stein. Liverpool played all their big guns – Clemence, Hughes, Keegan, Heighway, Toshack.
60,000 fans turned out to make it a wonderful occasion with tremendous atmosphere. At the end McNeill went to the supporters as the fans chanted his name.
There is only one ‘King Billy’……..and that’s McNeill.
From the website Shankly.com – Shankly led out Clemence, Lindsay, Smith, Thompson, Hughes, Heighway, Hall, Callaghan, Cormack, Toshack and Keegan out at Celtic Park in front of 60,000 people and got a sensational reception as Liverpool fan Chris Wood remembers:
“Two days after the Charity Shield match at Wembley when Bill was given the honour of leading out his men in red for one final time, I made the long journey up to Glasgow from London by train where Liverpool were playing at Celtic Park in a testimonial match for Billy McNeill.
Before the teams appeared Billy McNeill walked in the the centre-circle to take the applause of his people and then he beckoned for Bill Shankly to come and join him. Everyone knew it was his last match in charge before the competitive season started five days later under Bob Paisley.
It was McNeill’s night but that amazing crowd of 60,000 stood as one and it seemed the whole stadium was chanting “Shankly, Shankly” and “Liv-er-pool, Liv-er-pool”. They just didn’t clap and cheer. they roared. I have never seen or heard anything like it before or since, not a tribute like to someone who had never worn their famous green and white hoops. It was breathtaking. Makes me shiver thinking about it now.”
Teams
Celtic:
Hunter, McGrain, Brogan, McCluskey, McNeill, Connelly, Johnstone, Murray, Dalglish (Wilson), Callaghan, Lennox (Hood)
Goals: Wilson (51)
Liverpool:
Clemence, Smith, Lindsay, Thompson, Cormack, Hughes, Keegan Hall, Heighway, Toshack, Callaghan
Goals: Toshack (22)
Referee: T.R. Kyle (Bishopbriggs)
Attendance: 60,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Match report from The (London) Times, 13th August 1974
‘Feast of football in honour of Celtic’s captain’
Celtic and Liverpool met before a crowd of 60,000 in Glasgow last night to honour the host club’s long serving captain Billy McNeill, and they served up a feast of football. The occasion also marked Bill Shankley’s [sic] last match as manager of Liverpool and it was Liverpool who took the lead after 22 minutes when Toshack jumped to meet a cross by Lindsay and glanced the ball into the net. In the second half Celtic dropped Dalglish and brought on a striker, Wilson. The substitute showed his value after 51 minutes when he left three defenders trailing in his wake and took a return pass from Johnston [sic] to drive the ball into goal.
