1890-01-04: Celtic 7-0 Hearts, Friendly

Matches: 1889 1890 | 1887-1900 | Forum

Celtic:-
McLaughlin, Reynolds, McKeown, Gallagher, Kelly, Dowds, Naughton, Dunbar, Groves, Coleman, Murray.

Goals:- Coleman, Kelly 18, Groves 45, Dunbar 46, Groves 47, Coleman 60, Groves.
{The game was of two forty minutes halfs)

Hearts:-
Mackay, Adams, Roberts, Walker, Begbie, Hill, McLeod, Jenkinson, McPherson, Henderson, Baird.

Ref:- Mr J Halley, Cowlairs.

Articles

• Match Report (See Below)
• Official Site

Pictures

• Match Picture

From newspaper reports from the tim

Report 1

The Scotsman – Monday, 6th January 1890, page 4
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian – The weather in Glasgow interfered considerably with the attendance at this match. Fortunately, the rain discontinued just prior to kick-off. The visitors were without Scott and Taylor, and substitutes were found in Walker, of Wishaw, and Henderson. The Celtic were without McLaren and Madden. Losing the toss, Groves kicked off for the ground team, and despite the sodden ground the play was pretty fast. The Celts were the first to show up, the entire forwards displaying good passing and shooting. Henderson and Baird were first to become conspicuous for the Hearts, who were trying their utmost to gain a point. The Celts’ backs and half-backs, however, were too strong for them, and after fifteen minutes Coleman got cleverly in, and scored the first goal for the Celts. The Celts were not exerting themselves to any great extent, while the Hearts it could be seen were suffering from the effects of their English journey. Kelly scored a second goal for the Celts who had now got fairly into the game, and troubled the Hearts’ defence severely. The Hearts had next a look in, but Henderson and Baird were too late and ere they could shoot McKeown interposed, and play was transferred to the opposite end. McKay, for the visitors, did a lot of clever saving. Half-time found the Celts leading by two goals to nil. Resuming, the ground men continued to have the best of the play. Groves shot the third goal, Dunbar the fourth, and Groves added a fifth. All these points were scored in rapid succession. The Hearts play fell flat after this, and the Celts took matters easy. Coleman put on the sixth goal, and a brilliant run by Groves – the sensation of the match – ended in the Celtic centre scoring a seventh goal. The Hearts were completely vanquished by the heavy score of seven goals to nil.

Report 2

The famous “Hearts” whose visits to Glasgow are not too frequent, were the guests of the Celts at Celtic Park, Parkhead. The attendance was moderate, and owing to the late start the game was limited to two forties.
The visitors kicked off, but the home front rank at once took possession. Begbie, however, interrupted their progress and play was transferred, Baird having shot at goal. From midfield the ball ultimately emerged on the visitors’ side but Murray sent it over the bar, and the scene of action was again transferred.
After some very even play, the Celtic forwards came away briskly, and Coleman had an encounter with the opposing back. Assistance came, and he did not get a chance of scoring; but he made up for it by immediately scoring the first goal for his side.
After 18 minutes’ play, characterised by some nice work amongst the Celtic forwards and grand defence on the part of the strangers, the Hearts’ goal again succumbed to a sustained attack, Kelly doing the necessary. The remainder of the game was in favour of the home team. The Celts played in their usual style, and Naughton again justified his selection. The feature of the Hearts’ play was the goalkeeping of Mackay.
Half-time score – Celts, 2; Hearts, 0.
Five minutes after resuming, the Hearts’ goal succumbed to a shot by Groves, after a very stubborn resistance. Within about two minutes two more goals were added, one by Dunbar and the other by Groves.
The Celts, although not exerting themselves much, contrived to keep play very much on the visitors ground. The Hearts had an occasional run, but the Celtic goal was never seriously threatened.
Coleman put on a sixth goal after twenty minutes. A magnificent run by Groves down the centre terminated in a seventh goal.
The Hearts tried hard to reduce the majority, but in vain.
Result – Celts, 7 goals; Hearts, 0 goals.