| Match Pictures | Matches: 1921 – 1922 | 1921 pictures |
Trivia
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Celtic win the league
- Celtic win the league championship. by the narrowest of margins (1 point) thanks to a late goal from one of the stars of the vaunted front line Andy McAtee.
- Rangers draw at Shawfield 0-0.
- Had it not been for McAtee’s late equaliser at Cappielow, it could all have been so very different.
- This was a huge triumph for Celtic, who had not won the league since 1919, but would not do so again until 1926.
- In a Glasgow Herald article headed “Reply To Romanist Criticism” the Rev Arthur C. Hill opines: “Our Catholic friends would add to the force of their arguments if they would cease to cultivate Irish oratory, the poorest form of that useful art” LINK
- The Herald also reports on the rise in the habit of Methylated Spirit drinking which is said to have been introduced by a “low class of immigrants.”
Review
(below by David Potter, source: https://thecelticstar.com/playing-the-orange-card-to-antagonise-the-celtic-crowd-champions-again/)
It was tense at Greenock. The Morton crowd, still on a high after their Scottish Cup triumph, were not above “playing the Orange card” to antagonise the Celtic crowd, and on several occasions play had to be stopped for reasons of overcrowding at certain parts of the ground and sometimes sheer hooliganism.
At half time it looked possible that the game might have to be abandoned, but players of both sides helped usher the fans back onto the terracing.
Morton were 1-0 up at half time, and rumours were spreading that Rangers were hammering Clyde. The problem with “news” in the 1920s, however, was that it was often “made up” in the absence of modern accurate communications, and no-one really knew. What they did know however was that Celtic had to grab at least a point, and preferably two.
They got one. Late in the game after some desperate attacking, Edwards the Morton goalkeeper could only palm a McFarlane drive out to the head of Andy McAtee. Five minutes remained, and everyone knew that a draw would not be enough, if indeed the score was 6-0 for Rangers at Shawfield, as the rumours said it was.
The game at Morton finished 1-1, and as the sorely overstretched Greenock police ushered the Celtic fans to the train, no-one knew for certain who the League champions were, although a wee boy claimed to have heard a newspaper reporter, who had phoned his office, say that it was 0-0 at Shawfield, and enough to give Celtic the title. Perhaps!
It was only when the trains pulled into Glasgow Central Station, and evening newspapers were on sale that it was confirmed that Celtic had won their 16th League title. Rangers had pressed and pressed but the brave Clyde defence had held out. Many Celtic supporters bought a drink for their Clyde supporting friends that night, as the joy knew no bounds.
Teams
Referee: P Craigmyle (Aberdeen)
Attendance: 20,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Morton Scottish Cup winners 1922 most of whom played in this match
Articles
Match report from The Scotsman, May 1st 1922
[…] A late goal at Greenock saved the situation for Celtic, who found the Scottish cupholders lively company. It was a keen game in the first half, with Morton predominating, and the first goal scored, by Alf Brown, was well merited. Dodds and McNair were very shaky against a virile Greenock attack, and French and McNab were unlucky not to count. Celtic’s left wing did good work, but their shooting did not seriously trouble Edwards, who was grandly supported by McIntyre and Wright. Morton continued aggressive in the second half, and looked like holding their lead, but Celtic came away near the close, and amid excitement McAtee obtained the equalising goal. The local club put up a great fight, and on the whole were the superior combination. The attendance was estimated at 20,000. Many of the Celtic supporters carried banners, and at half-time there was an ugly scene on the ground, free fights being engaged in. The playing pitch was invaded, flags were seized by the police, and a number of people were arrested. Happily order was quickly restored, and the match proceeded.
Match Report The Glasgow Herald May 1, 1922
MORTON, 1; CELTIC, 1
At Cappielow Park, Greenock. Estimated attendance, 20,000.
Teams:– Morton – Edwards, McIntyre and R. Brown; Gourlay, Wright, and McGregor, McNab and McKay; French, A. Brown and McMinn.
Celtic:– Shaw, McNair and Dodds; Gilchrist, Cringan, and McStay, McAtee and Gallagher; Cassidy, McFarlane and McLean. Referee—P. Craigmyle (Aberdeen).
Shaw was called on early in the game, but he had no difficulty in saving from McKay. Celtic then attacked but McLean failed to hold a pass from Gallagher.
Morton returned, McGregor finishing for Dodds to clear. Celtic were again prominent, but found the defence steady. Morton reasserted themselves and A. Brown opened the scoring.
The home side continued to keep a grip of the game, Celtic being seldom allowed to settle.
After change of ends the visitors were seen to advantage. They forced a succession of unproductive corners, and ten minutes from the finish McAtee scored the equalising goal.
