| Match Pictures | Matches: 1969 – 1970 | 1969-70 Pictures |
Trivia
- The first pre-season Friendly of the 1969-70 season saw Celtic travel away to France for the game against St Etienne. Celtic had met St Etienne in the first round of the European Cup the previous season losing 2-0 away. Jock Stein was hoping for revenge.
- The Celts had reported for pre-season training on the 14th July.
- During the closed season it looked as though John Clark was about to sign for Aberdeen having agreed a transfer fee of approximately £20,000. Then Blackpool stepped in with an offer. By the 21st May the deal with Aberdeen was of and John chose to stay with Celtic.
- Two young lads were signed onto the books in May. Pat McCluskey (MF) and Jim Davidson (CH), both 17, signed from Maryhill. Both were to stay at Maryhill till called up by the club.
- Celtic had been due to play Celta Vigo on Thurs 29th May. The trip was called off when a confusion broke out with Celta on when the game was to be played.
- Celtic were linked on the 4th June with Dinamo Zagreb keeper Zlatko Skoric.The 28 year old was free from the Army and could sign. Celtic had tried to sign him once before.
- On this trip to France Celtic had also been due to play Marseille on 2nd August. This game was cancelled and the match against Carlisle substituted.
- Jimmy Johnstone was dropped for the trip. Whether this was due to his loathing of flying or another reason (he had just been suspended from driving for a year and fined £30) was not explained. Also not travelling were Jim Brogan (ankle injury) and Ronnie Simpson (fear of aggravating his shoulder prior to full games). A late call off was John Hughes with a leg strain. Callaghan and Hay also travelled to France on the 29th July.
- Before the game there was a major mix-up for St Etienne when it was discovered that their star striker, Malian Salif Keita, may have signed for another club. He was in dispute with St Etienne having returned to Africa the previous month and he may have signed a deal with Anderlecht.
Review
This was a Wednesday night game in the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium, St Etienne. Celtic played in an all white strip.
This was far from a friendly game with plenty of rough house stuff and feet (and occasionally fists) flying.
Celtic scored first when Sterve Chalmers crossed for Bobby Lennox to shoot home. This goal was countered by Samardzic, St Etienne’s new signing with a great shot from 20 yards. Samardzic caused Tommy Gemmell problems all game.
Celtic got the better of the half after the break but were profligate in front of goal. Both sides made substitutions for the second half – Keita for St Etienne, and Harry Hood for Willie Wallace.
Teams
St Etienne
Carnu, Durkovic, Farizon, Mitoraj, Camerini, Jacquet, Samardzic, Broissard, Revelli (Keita), Larque, Beretta
Scorer Samardzic
Celtic
Fallon, Craig, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Connelly, Wallace (Hood), Chalmers, Lennox, Auld.
Scorer Lennox (15)
Referee:
Attendance:
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
