Matches: 1887 1888 1889 | 1887-1900 | Forum

Celtic Games 1888 - Friendly Rangers Game

The first official Celtic game, played at the old Celtic Park.


Goal Michael Dolan (Drumpellier)

Right back Eddie Pearson (Carfin Shamrock)
Left back J McLaughlin (Govan Whitefield)

Right half-back Willie Maley (Cathcart)
Centre half-back James Kelly (Renton)
Left half-back Phil Murray (Blantyre)

O.R. Neil McCallum (Renton)
I.R. T.E.Maley (Cathcart)
Centre John Madden (Dumbarton)
I.L. M.Dunbar (Edinburgh Hibs)
O.L. H. Gorevin (Govan Whitefield)

Celtic wore white shirts with a green collar and a red and green Celtic cross on the breast. These were given to the club by Penman Brothers from Bridgeton Cross.

Glasgow Observer Report
The Rangers kicked off against the wind and at once made an incursion into Celtic territory. With some difficulty Dolan and the backs cleared their charge and play was transferred to the other end. A mistake by Meikle gave the Celts a corner kick. Dunbar placed the ball in front of goal and McCallum was enabled to head the first point of the game.

The Rangers, after a pass by Suter, equalised after ten minutes play. Nicol was saving in grand style and , but for his clever goalkeeping, the Celts must have increased their score on several occasions.

A foul against the light blues further enhanced the prospects of the home team. The ball was kept in dangerous proximity to Nichol's charge and to avert what proved to be only a temporary and insufficient relief, the Rangers were forced to concede a corner kick. Like the former, and placed by the same player, Kelly, who was playing a judicious game, headed the second goal a few minutes before half time.

The Rangers opened the second half with great vigour. The home defence, however, was not to be overcome. By short passing and keeping the ball low, the Celts carried it to the other end where Tom Maley was enabled to score another goal.

In retaliation the Ibrox forwards were soon in front of their adversaries' upright and a second goal was registered by Suter. Ultimately, Maley put in a fourth goal for the ground team. Through the instrumentality of McCallum the same player shortly afterwards notched a fifth point. A sixth point was put through but was disallowed owing to an infringement of the offside rule. The whistle sounded with the ball hovering in front of Dolan.