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Celtic Games 1891 – Heart of Midlothian
Trivia
- Played at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh.
- Before 10,000 spectators.
Review
The Scotsman – Monday, 17th August 1891, page 4
Heart of Mid-Lothian v Celtic— The first meeting for the season of these powerful clubs, which took place at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, on Saturday, created an exceptional amount of interest in football circles. Favoured with fine weather, there was an enormous attendance of spectators— some eight thousand — said to be the largest ever seen at a club match in Edinburgh. The Celtic brought through a powerful team McCaIIum being the only absentee. His place was filled by the old Hibernian James McGhee. On the other hand, the Scottish Cupholders had to take the field without Macpherson, and Mason, who have embraced English professionalism . Masterton (Cowlairs) and Ross filled the vacancies caused by these defections, the last named playing on the left wing, while Baird assisted Taylor on the right. The result was a surprise to most people, as the home team outplayed their opponents' at all points and, after one of the finest exhibitions of football ever seen in Edinburgh, ran out winners by three goals to one. It was twenty one minutes to five when the Celts, who arrived late, entered the field. They were very heartily received, McGhee in particular coming In for a warm round of applause. They won the toss, and compelled their opponents to kick off, the players soon being in the thick of the fray. Baird was the first to get away, until he found his career brought to an abrupt termination by the energetic Reynolds. A counter run by the famous left wing of the visitors, Campbell and McMahon, created come excitement, but Ross with a clever kick took the leather out of danger. A foul against the Heart of Mid-Iothian was the first incident of note, but Reynolds, to whom the kick was entrusted, made a mess of it. Scott made a capital attempt to lower the colours of the visitors, but Doyle was in the way, and with a mammoth kick the ex-Evertonian sent the ball to the feet of his own forwards.The Hearts still kept at it and excellent work by Scott terminated in Duff conceding a corner which came to nothing. A run down by McGhee showed conclusively that the old Easter Road player still preserved his form, and Goodfellow was so hard pressed that he was compelled to give a corner. Like the one which fell to the Hearts it also was harmless. A fine run by McMahon, quite in his old style, raised the enthusiasm of the Irish contingent, who were out in strong force. Both sides now put in some fine work, and another corner fell to the Hearts. The ball was exceedingly well placed by Taylor, and it was only with the greatest difficulty, that Duff succeeded in keeping his charge intact. Fouls were given against both sides and from one against the Celtic Begbie all but landed a goal, the ball just passing outside the post. The Hearts, aided by a slight wind, continued to keep their opponents hard at work Duff being several times compelled to use his hands. A rush of the Celts' forwards, headed by Madden, relieved the monotony of the proceedings and a weak display by Fairbairn nearly led to the downfall of his goal. After the ball had been got away, further fine play by the left wing of the Celts gave McGhee a splendid opening, which he altogether failed to take advantage of. The Hearts came down the field in a body, all the forwards having a hand in the raid. Scott was the last to receive the ball, and with a neat header he sent it just over the bar, amid shouts of "hard lines" from the home following. Runs and counter runs were now the order of the day, although if must be said that the Cupholders had played beyond the expectations of their most ardent well-wishers. They were very unfortunate, however, at close quarters, several shots fast grazing the posts. The game fluctuated now in favour of the Celtic, and their opponents had a very warm five minutes. Fairbairn, however was in his best form and was repeatedly cheered for the daring and successful manner in which he kept his goal free from danger. Nearing half-time the Hearts came down the field in irresistible form, and, amid ringing cheers, Baird sent the leather past Duff. Half-time was shortly afterwards called with the score as follows —Hearts, one goal; Celtic, nil. After an interval of some five minutes or so, the game was once more in progress. The wind had now abated somewhat, and the Celts had, consequently, not the advantage which they had anticipated. Indeed, their opponents were the first to become dangerous, Baird and Taylor, as in the first half bringing off some pretty and effective runs. Doyle with a miskick gave a corner, which proved fruitless. Madden and Brady were now conspicuous with a very pretty run down the right, Brady having exchanged places with McGhee. A corner to the Celts caused some uneasiness to the home following, but Fairbairn again proved equal to the occasion, and succeeded in fisting out a likely shot. Pressure was brought to bear on the home team but Hill who played well all through, succeeded in keeping his adversaries at bay. A foul against Hill terminated, in the Hearts having a very narrow escape, a shot from the foot of McGhee Just grazing the post. Several shots were sent at Falrbairn, all of which were negotiated in quite a cool and collected manner. After a period of pressure the Hearts got away nicely, Russell being very prominent in the run down the field. Kelly's sprinting abilities were now of much service to his club, for he overtook the Hearts' centre and, with a brilliant effort, deprived him of the ball. The Celtic supporters were not slow to recognise the old Renton man's abilities. The advantage to the Celts was but short lived, for the Hearts once more came away in the most determined style, and Duff found himself confronted with the entire front division of his opponents. Russell got the ball in a favourable position, and sent in a powerful shot, which Duff failed to hold, and the Scottish Cupholders were now two goals to the good. Barely had the enthusiasm over this success died away when the Hearts again confronted their redoubtable opponents, and out of a scrimmage Ross increased the home total to three. – The game slowed down considerably after these exciting incidents, the Celts' certainly being to all appearance a beaten team. A foul against Masterton gave the Celtic a chance, but luck was against them. It was once more the turn of the Hearts to press, and Doyle as nearly as possible put the ball through his own goal, his kicking being greatly at fault. Duff fortunately was on the spot and covered his clubmate's mistake in fine style. The Celts then seemed to realise the necessity of rising to the occasion, and but for the fine goalkeeping of Fairbairn it is inconceivable how they could have failed to score. The young Hearts man negotiated repeated shots in a manner truly astonishing, his efforts being cheered to the echo by the spectators, whose enthusiasm knew no bounds. As time drew nigh the Celtic made a final effort, and a shot from the right wing struck the post and slipped through. The whistle sounded without further scoring.
Teams
Hearts:-
Fairbairn, Adams, Goodfellow, Begbie, Masterton, Hill, Taylor, Baird, Russell, Ross, Scott.
Goals:- Baird, Russell, Ross.
Celtic:-
Duff, Reynolds, Doyle, Gallagher, Kelly (captain), Dowds, Madden, McGhee, Brady, McMahon, Campbell.
Goal:- Madden.
Att:- 10,000.