Celtic competed in the Trans-Atlantic Cup in the summer of 1981 after being invited to America for the round-robin tournament at the very last minute.

The Bhoys invite came after Shaktar Donetsk, then playing in the Soviet league set up, pulled out of the competition in protest that the host club New York Cosmos were planning to field South African Steve Wegerle.

However whether Shaktar’s decision was motivated by an admirable stance against apartheid or as a consequence of the United State’s boycott of that year’s Moscow Olympics is uncertain.

Whatever the reason Celtic, tempted by a £50,000 appearance fee, made a last minute dash to New York and arrived in the city just 24 hours before their first game – against Cosmos at the Giants Stadium on Sunday July 12th.

A crowd of 29,000 saw the Hoops struggle in the 90 degree as the home side made the most of their familiarity of the astro-turf pitch to win 2-0.
Celtic then flew across the US to take on the Seattle Sounders on July 14th before a crowd of 21,000. Playing at the Kingdome, once more on an artificial pitch, Charlie Nicholas opened the scoring for the Bhoys with a sublime volley but the home side soon settled into their game and came back to win 2-1

Celtic returned to New York for their final match, an Anglo-Scots affair against Kevin Keegan’s Southampton on July 19th. An impressive 25,000 crowd turned out to see the double header with the Cosmos and Sounders clashing after the opening match.

Goals from Davie Provan and a last gasp Charlie Nicholas tap-in sandwiched a Moran effort for the Saints as the Hoops finished off the competition with a 2-1 victory. The Seattle Sounders would claim the trophy following a 3-3 draw with New York.

Back to Tournaments