1975-08-02: Celtic 1-0 Derby County, Friendly

Match Pictures | Matches: 1975 – 1976 | 1975-1976 Pictures

Trivia

• English League champions Derby County visit Parkhead.
• Sean Fallon had the 17 that went to Ireland plus George Connelly in the squad for the game. Connelly had remained in Scotland and trained hard whilst the team were in Ireland.
• Johannes Edvaldsson impresses and scores on his debut on a hot sunny day.

Review

The summer of 1975 was a concerning one for Celtic. Legendary Celts McNeill, Johnstone and Brogan had departed, Murray was injured and would ultimately have to retire from injury, and George Connelly had all but disappeared from view. But most importantly, the great Jock Stein had suffered near fatal injuries in a car crash and would not return to the helm for 12 months which cast a great, dark cloud over Parkhead.

Celtic supporters turned out on a hot afternoon not only for a new season but to witness a new era and part of this ‘new’ Celtic was the Icelandic international Johannes Edvaldsson. Big ‘Shuggie’, as he was christened, had a hugely impressive debut, scored the winner, and became a firm fans’ favourite until the end of his days at Celtic Park. Hard as it is to believe now, Derby County were a major force in European football in 1975 and were actually English champions.

Managed by the rugged Scot Dave Mackay they boasted some of the biggest names in football from that period, in Rioch, Hector, Gemmill, McFarland, Todd and George. Scotland had recently been thrashed 5-1 at Wembley by England and Celtic were now required to strike a small blow for Scottish football.

Teams

Celtic:
Latchford, McGrain, Lynch, McCluskey, MacDonald (McNamara), Edvaldsson, Hood, Glavin, Wilson, Dalglish, Lennox. Subs: Connelly,
Scorers: Edvaldsson (62)

Derby County:
Moseley, Thomas, Nith, Rioch, McFarland, Todd, Newton, Gemmill, Davies, Hector, George. Subs:

Referee: I M D Foote (Glasgow)
Attendance: 44,000

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• Match Report (see end of page below)

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