The Bhoys faced early frustration as they lost the Glasgow Cup Final to Rangers. This disappointment would be easily forgotten thanks to a much-improved run of form in the league.
By April 1936, the Celts sat atop the table and needed just one more win to become Champions. Ayr United came to Celtic Park and suffered a massive 6-0 loss, although Jimmy was not on this list. That mattered not as the Celts celebrated winning the league for the first time in ten years.
The season ended on a brilliant personal note for Delaney. His forward partner Jimmy McGrory had been in outstanding form, scoring seven hat-tricks over the year. Jimmy had not yet managed to get his second treble. But in Celtic’s last game, they met Rangers in the Charity Cup Final. A 4-2 win gave them the trophy, including three from Delaney.
One ditty from the time acknowledged Delaney’s important role in the Celtic team, as well as his productive partnership with McGrory, when stating:
And on the wing Delaney’s speed,
Created goals from Jimmy’s heid;
The Cleland boy, so fast and true,
A loyal Celt, straight through and through.
This successful Celtic spell continued next season, and again Delaney was at the heart of it. The Bhoys failed to retain their league title, but did bring back two trophies to Celtic Park. One of these was the Charity Cup, although this time there were no goals for Jimmy who had managed a hat-trick in the previous year’s final.
The other match was an even more notable event. In April 1937, Celtic met Aberdeen at Hampden Park to decide the destination of that season’s Scottish Cup. Delaney and teammates would enjoy a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Johnny Crum and Willie Buchan.
Jimmy Delaney, Celtic Fc. Celtic in the Thirties. Photo The Celtic Wiki
The most notable aspect of the day was the crowd: 147,365 were present, which is a Scottish record for a domestic game. In this same year, a Scotland versus England match at the same venue set what remains a European attendance record of 149,415.
