15th December – Five Memorable Celtic Moments on this Day

Five memorable Celtic moments, with a nod to the late Celtic Historian and Celtic Star legend David Potter, on this day starting on 15 December 1928…

Paddy Connolly scored

ONE – SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 1928 – Celtic have now probably squandered all chances of another League Championship with some poor results, notably a real shocker last week at Brockville, Falkirk where they lost 0-3, but today, at Parkhead Celtic beat Hearts 1-0 with a Paddy Connolly goal.

Johnny Higgins scored

TWO – SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 1956 – In one of the foulest days that one could imagine for football, only 11,000 turn up at Celtic Park to see Celtic beat Dunfermline 3-1 with goals from Johnny Higgins, Neil Mochan and Willie Fernie. It was a wonder that the game started at all in such conditions, and by the second half (Celtic did not have floodlights until 1959) visibility was very poor indeed.

Dundee v Celtic Scottish League Cup Final 1973

THREE – SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 1973 – A truly dreadful day as Celtic lose the League Cup final to Dundee at Hampden. The weather is dire, the pitch is barely playable, and the game has to kick-off at 1.30 pm so as to guarantee a finish in daylight because of power restrictions brought about by the miners’ work-to-rule. It would have been better if referee RH Davidson had postponed the game until nicer weather in the spring, but the game goes ahead and Celtic lose 0-1 to a Dundee side containing Tommy Gemmell. Celtic are denied a penalty in the last minute when Jimmy Johnstone is barged off the ball, and the Celtic support in the paltry crowd of 27,794 are reduced to hurling abuse at erstwhile favourite Tommy Gemmell. Celtic have now lost four League Cup finals in a row, and this is very definitely a game to forget.

FOUR – SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 1984 – Celtic are now in a bad way. Following their defeat at Pittodrie last week, then their trip to Old Trafford to lose to Rapid Vienna who can only be described as “cheats”, they travel to Easter Road today where in a dire game of football, they scrape a 1-0 victory with a goal scored by Mo Johnston. But the team and the supporters are hurting.

15th December 1984, Hibs 0:1 Celtic. pic.twitter.com/DCJNfjwQfs

— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) December 15, 2025

15th December 2021; Victoria Park, Dingwall, Ross County versus Celtic; Anthony Ralston celebrates after he heads the winner for Celtic in the 97th minute making it 2-1

WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2021 – Tony Ralston heads home a winner in the 96th minute at Dingwall to beat Ross County in a thrilling encounter, and to send Celtic’s fans home happy. Earlier, Liel Abada had put Celtic ahead, but Ross County had equalised. Celtic are still behind in the League race, but as a commentator tellingly put it, “these moments make Champions”.

15th December 2021, Ross County 1:2 Celtic.

Abada then a vital last minute winner from Ralston. @anthonyralston8

Massive result. pic.twitter.com/TKLHpZbTtA

— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) December 15, 2025

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