The Coronation Cup - 1953

[Match Pictures]


In the final at Hampden Park they met the outstanding Hibs side who had been champions in each of the two previous seasons. Had goal difference rather than goal average been used to separate them from Rangers, with whom they had tied on points that season, they would have won the League in 1953.

Mochan, who had joined the club from Middlesbrough, scored a magnificent goal from long range after 28 minutes. For almost the entire second half, Hibs laid siege to the Celtic goal, with the Easter Road Famous Five in full flow.

Only keeper Johnny Bonnar stood between Hibs and victory. He broke the hearts of the Hibs players with a series of magnificent saves, especially from Bobby Johnstone and Eddie Turnbull. One report described his goalkeeping as "bordering on the miraculous", and thousands of Celtic fans congregated at the front entrance to chant his name.With just three minutes remaining, Jimmy Walsh scored the second, Celtic coming out the winners 2-0 before 117,060 spectators.

The winning Celtic team pose with the Coronation Cup: (back row, l-r) Trainer Alex Dowdells, Mike Haughney, Alex Rollo, John Bonnar, John McPhail, Bobby Evans, Charlie Tully, manager Jimmy McGrory; (front row, l-r) Bobby Collins, James Welsh, Jock Stein, Neil Mochan, Bertie Peacock, Willie Fernie