The Scotsman - Monday, 1st September 1890, page 4

Celtic v Cambuslang —The Scottish League fixture between these clubs was decided at Celtic Park in presence of 4000 spectators. The Cambuslang, in view of the importance of the contest had re-arranged their team considerably, and on play the result was highly satisfactory. The home team was weakened by the absence of Kelly and M’Laren, though their substitutes played a fairly good game. To still further handicap the Celtic, Groves and Gallacher were both playing under great disadvantages, the former suffering severely from a sore leg, and the latter being on the sick list. Cambuslang’s chances, then, were rosy indeed. The ground club were unsuccessful in the spin of the coin. Following the kick-off, they swarmed round the Cambuslang defence in a body, but Ross relieved. As a set off, the visitors’ left wing broke grandly away, and a fine pass from H. Gourlay was converted into a neat goal by Plenderleith, who was playing a sound game in the centre. Nothing dispirited, the Celtic entered upon the contest with renewed vigour, and play was maintained with great dash. The Celts had a good share on the play, but they were singularly unfortunate, as on two occasions Grove shot over the bar. The Cambuslang at all points were playing a strong game, and the forwards made greater progress than their opponents. Lowe and Brown were very conspicuous on the right, and put in a lot of useful work. It was hot work while it lasted, and the longer the game proceeded the more prominent were Cambuslang in the game. Groves was twice shifted to half-back to strengthen the forwards by Dowds going to the front. This arrangement weakened the defence. The Celtic did their utmost to draw level, but try as they could the Cambuslang defence was too strong for them. Buchanan, Gay, Smith were ever prominent in stalling them off. Close on half-time a bad trip by Gallacher penalised his side, and from the free kick, Cambuslang right increased their goal total. On crossing over, the visiting team still led by one goal to nil. The Celts again re-arranged their forward rank, H.Gallacher being shifted to centre, Dunbar to the right, and Dowds partnering Crossan. The opening stage of this half augured well for the Celts, as thrice in succession they ran the ball over the Cambuslang lines. Smith next broke away on the Cambuslang left, and right well did his clubmates back up the effort. Hard play by the Celts’ backs brought on the forwards to some tune, and a combined onslaught ended with Dowds equalising. Cambuslang hotly disputed the goal, and some of the players were leaving the field at the decision of the referee. The visitors responded well, but they were beaten back. Better play all round was exhibited by the home club’s representatives, who continued to have a slight lead in the run of the game. Smith was again prominent for Cambuslang and was well supported by Plenderleith, who was showing very steady centre play. Reynolds gave them the right-about, and a fine run by Madden and Dunbar looked ominous for Cambuslang. Ross saved splendidly, and Buchanan sent the ball well up the field. The Celts were not to be denied, and coming away strongly, Cambuslang were forced back and Dowds and Crossan scored, with an interval of fifteen minutes between the points. Brilliant play followed, and Dowds once more scored off a splendid centre from Madden, whose play in this half was the feature of the game. Close on time Madden again beat Russell, and centring finely past Cuthbert. Maley rushed up and put on a fifth goal to the consternation of the visitors, who were aghast at the rapidity of the goal taking. One supreme exertion by the Cambuslang in the last minute resulted in Plenderleith scoring from a breakaway. Time was immediately called, with the Celts victorious by the large score of five goals to two.

Celtic – Kelly, goal; Reynolds and M’Keown, backs; Gallacher, Maley, and Dowds, half-backs; H. Gallacer, Madden, Groves, Dunbar, and Crossan, forwards.


Celtic Team:-


Scorers:-