The Celtics meet Falkirk in the League Cup tomorrow. Celtic has a long history of cup competitions with Falkirk teams
Falkirk FC was not involved in Celtic’s first encounter in Falkirk. Instead, in December 1888, Celtic traveled to Merchiston Park to face East Stirlingshire in the Scottish Cup. Celtic won 2-1 in green and white stripes, advancing to their first Scottish Cup final. Unfortunately, the Bhoys lost to Third Lanark, Celtic’s lone Scottish Cup Final appearance without a win.
Celtic’s first match against Falkirk FC took place in September 1905. Celtic defeated Brockville 5-0 in a league match. This occurred during the Bhoys’ remarkable six-in-a-row titles from 1905 to 1910. This was a record that would hold until Celtic broke it in the 1970s during their nine-game win streak.
Falkirk’s first visit to Celtic Park took place later that season, and Celtic won even more convincingly. In January 1906, the ‘Bairns’ were defeated 7-0 in Glasgow’s east end in the League.
Celtic’s first cup match with Falkirk occurred during World War II, an era in which the Bhoys were extremely unsuccessful on the field. In March 1944, the two teams competed in the Southern League Cup (which eventually became the Scottish League Cup). Celtic triumphed 3-1 in this away match.
Manchester bound for the legends game. Reading material sorted. @hailhailhistory pic.twitter.com/QTtt6bSZEQ
— Manus G (@ManusGOK) September 7, 2024
Celtic’s first League Cup match against Falkirk took place nearly precisely 70 years ago. Falkirk arrived at Celtic Park in August 1954, but left after losing 3-0. Before the game, Celtic unfurled the League flag, with Marie Kelly, the wife of Celtic chairman Robert Kelly, performing the honors.
Celtic’s first encounter versus Falkirk FC occurred in September 1905. Celtic beat Brockville 5-0 in a league match. This occurred between 1905 and 1910, when the Bhoys won six consecutive titles. This was the record that stood until Celtic shattered it in the 1970s during a nine-game winning streak.
Falkirk’s first visit to Celtic Park was later that season, and Celtic triumphed even more decisively. In January 1906, the ‘Bairns’ were trounced 7-0 in Glasgow’s east end by the League.
Arguably, the most famous Celtic and Falkirk cup moments occurred in the Scottish Cup, not the League Cup. In February 1953, Celtic won this away game 3-2. Charlie Tully famously scored from a corner kick, which was called out. So, he did it again!
Celtic’s record League Cup victory over Falkirk occurred twenty years ago. In September 2004, Celtic defeated their opponents 8-1 to advance to the next round.
Matthew’s debut Celtic book, ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’, was released by Celtic Star Books last year and is available for purchase HERE. This excellent book is also available on Amazon Kindle for £3.49, and it includes all of the photo sections found in the hardback edition.
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