Match Report | 1968: Celtic 0 Dunfermline 2

Memorable Match #32
Scottish Cup First Round
Celtic Park
Saturday 27th January 1968

Memorable Match #32
Scottish Cup First Round
Celtic Park
Saturday 27th January 1968

The Pars Scottish Cup run began with a remarkable win against Celtic, the reigning European Cup holders, at Parkhead on 27th January 1968.

Even their own match day programme had warned `Goliath` of the threat from the east:-

`In defence of our title as cup holders we are faced with a strong serious challenge from Dunfermline Athletic, one of the few sides in recent years who have consistently provided stiff opposition to Old Firm in both league and cup.`

Celtic`s own warning fell on deaf ears as they were knocked out in the opening round of the Scottish Cup for the first time in 16 years.

Dunfermline were unchanged from their previous game, a 4-2 home win over Aberdeen. Celtic`s John Clark picked up an ankle injury in training and was out. Jim Brogan took over at left half. Davie Cattanach held his place at right back displacing Jim Craig. Joe McBride was restored to centre forward and with Bertie Auld again ready, Bobby Lennox and Steve Chalmers dropped out with Chalmers on the bench.

Celtic went out because they could not rise above the physical challenge presented by Dunfermline. One got the feeling very early that if Farm`s fighting Fifers did not win they would die in the attempt.

Meanwhile Celtic, playing in a change strip of green shirts, white socks and green shorts, found it hard to create scoring chances. They were hustled and bustled by opponents crammed with confidence but also dished it out. In 20 minutes Bent Martin found himself flat on his back after saving from John Hughes. The Danish keeper found that it wasn`t healthy to stand still was the ball with Big Yogi around!

Seven minutes later Jimmy Johnstone was sent sprawling on to the red running track by John Lunn. The mercurial Scotland winger landed so awkwardly that Jock Stein ran from his seat to see what the damage was.

Tom Callaghan and Hugh Robertson had the best two first half chances for the Fifers but both times the keeper did well to deny them. For Celtic Brogan had netted but was ruled out for offside.

The first half was a good one for the Pars. They had contained considerable pressure from Celtic without once exposing their goal. Their game plan was working. Martin had been the busier keeper but Ronnie Simpson had had to effect the better saves.

Half time: Celtic 0 Dunfermline 0

Eight minutes into the second half Jim Fraser was hit so hard by Auld that he had to be stretchered off. It would later be confirmed that his leg had fortunately not been broken. Ian Hunter was the Fifers 56th minute sub and it was his break up the right eight minutes later that created the opening.

ROBERTSON rocked Celtic Park as he netted but only after efforts from Hunter and then Gardner were blocked. Hugh`s right footed shot from 10 yards made it 0-1.

Sheer tenacity won Dunfermline this goal which unlocked the tie. Celtic were in dead trouble and it didn`t take the silence of the crowd to tell them.

Ten minutes later came the blow which killed any hopes of survival for the cup holders. Cattanach on the right, under pressure, tried a pass-back to Simpson. It never looked strong enough and Pat GARDNER beat the keeper in the race for the ball. Pat slipped the ball round the keeper and carefully clipped it into the net. His tenth goal of the season made it 0-2.

This was one of only two home matches Celtic lost in season 1967-68, the other was against Dinamo Kiev in knocking them out of the European Cup.

CELTIC: Ronnie Simpson: David Cattanach, Tommy Gemmell, Bobby Murdoch, Billy McNeill, John Brogan, Jimmy Johnstone, Willie Wallace, Joe McBride (Stevie Chalmers 62), Bertie Auld, John Hughes.
YELLOW CARD: Auld (53)

DUNFERMLINE :Bent Martin: Willie Callaghan, John Lunn, Jim Fraser (Ian Hunter 56), Roy Barry, Jim Thomson, Alex Edwards, Bert Paton, Pat Gardner, Tom Callaghan, Hugh Robertson.
SCORERS: Robertson (64), Gardner (75)
YELLOW CARD: T Callaghan (37)

REFEREE: R.H. Davidson (Airdrie)
ATTENDANCE: 47,000

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