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Celtic Games 1889 – Greenock Morton
Trivia
- Friendly match played at Cappielow Park, Greenock.
- Before 4,000 spectators.
- Graham (of Port Glasgow Athletic) assisted Celtic, while Morton had two trialists.
Review
The Celtic, who journeyed to Greenock, maintained their victorious career, defeating the Morton by five goals to four. the Celtic were without several of their first eleven, and it is to be much regretted that Neil McCallum, their popular right wing forward, is at the present time suffering from a sudden and severe illness. This is all the more unfortunate, in view of their match with the Third Lanark on 2nd February in the final for the Scottish Cup.
The absence of McCallum, who is one of the best outside right wing forwards in Scotland, would lessen the chances of the Celtic considerably.
Teams
Morton:-
Richmond, Trialist, Forbes, Norris, Elliot, A Fleming, W McColl, Trialist, Coates, A McColl, Stewart.
Goals:- Norris 10, Norris 17, Coates, A McColl.
Celtic:-
Kelly, Collins, McKeown, W Maley, Pat Dowling, H McGuire, McGhee, Graham (of Port Glasgow Athletic), Coleman, Dunbar, T Maley.
Goals:- Dunbar 5, Coleman 7, McKeown, Graham (of Port Glasgow Athletic), T Maley.
Att:- 4,000
Ref:- Mr McKinney, Thornliebank.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
From newspaper reports from the time.
Report 1
The Scotsman – Monday, 21st January 1889, page 4
Greenock Morton v Celtic
These teams met at Greenock. The Celtic commenced well, Dunbar scoring for them in less than five minutes, and immediately afterwards a second followed from the foot of Maley. The Morton were somewhat nettled at the rapid scoring, and settled down to work with great determination. They were ultimately successful in securing a point from a nice shot by A McColl, and equalised matters ten minutes later. Shortly before half-time Morris secured a third point for the Morton. On change of ends, the Morton led the way, A McColl securing the fourth point. From this to the finish the game became very fast, but the Celtic asserted their superiority, and scored other three goals to their opponents’ none, thus winning by five goals to four. The Celtic was not fully represented, four of their regular first eleven being absent.
It is to be much regretted that Neil McCallum, their popular right wing forward, is at the present time suffering from a sudden and severe illness. This is all the more unfortunate, in view of their match with Third Lanark on 2nd February in the Final for the Scottish Cup. The absence of McCallum, who is one of the best outside right wing forwards in Scotland, would lessen the chances of the Celtic considerably.
Report 2
Played at Greenock, in the presence of 4000 people. The ground was soft, but the weather was fine.
Beginning well, the Celtic scored a couple of goals within seven minutes. Dunbar taking the first and Coleman the second. The play of the visitors' front rank was at one time very neat and was greatly admired.
Subsequently, however, they appeared to lose their stride, and the local team showed up to considerable advantage. Norris cleverly scored, and shortly after the same player equalised, and before crossing over Coats put Morton in the majority.
In the early stage of the second half the Morton kept the lead and played up remarkably, and before long A McColl scored the fourth point with a hard shot.
It now looked as if the Celts were to retire defeated. McKeown came from back to half-back and infused fresh vigour into his men. With a 30 yards shot he scored a beautiful point. Graham (of Port Glasgow Athletic) breasted through another, and just before time T Maley put on the winning point, the game ending in favour of the Celtic by 5 goals to 4.
The Celtic rested five of their cup tie team, while Morton lacked the services of two of their regular men.
Mr McKinney, Thornliebank, was the referee.