Season 1937-38 was a significant one because the Celts were celebrating their 50th anniversary. It was not simply this milestone that gave fans of the green-and-white men reason to cheer. In April 1938, a 3-1 win for Celtic in Paisley – including one goal from Jimmy – meant the Bhoys were champions for the 19th time.
When in May 1938 the Celts also beat Rangers to win the Charity Cup – again with a goal from Delaney – there were further Celtic cheers. But the season’s story and success was far from concluded.
Starting later that month, Celtic took part in the Empire Exhibition Cup, a tournament involving the top teams from England and Scotland. In the Celts’ opening game, they drew 0-0 with Sunderland, forcing a replay. However, Jimmy would not play in this second game after he was injured in the drawn match. It would keep him out for a spell.
George Paterson hurdles Jimmy Delaney in training, with support given by Chic Geatons and Jimmy McGrory Photo The Celtic Wiki
Celtic eventually won the replay 3-1, before meeting Hearts in the semi-final. Delaney was still unavailable, but the green team celebrated a fortunate 1-0 win over Hearts. By the time of the final – played on 10 June 1938 – Jimmy was again fit and ready to face English side Everton.
Playing at Ibrox, 82,000 crammed into the southside ground. Although there were chances at both ends, neither side could find the net, which forced extra-time. Early in this period, Johnny Crum got the match’s only goal and the Celts had a third success to mark the golden anniversary of the club.
At other times, Jimmy changed his look by pulling on the dark blue shirt of Scotland. He got 13 caps for his country and scored six times. The most famous of these was surely the winning goal against England in the 1946 Victory international at Hampden Park.
Celtic Star Jimmy Delaney. Photo The Celtic Wiki
In April 1939, Jimmy married an Irish woman called Annie McCormick. Whilst his family and footballing life seemed to augur a bright future, in fact the opposite proved to be the case.
1939 brought major problems for Delaney and tragedy for the whole world. In April, Jimmy was badly injured when playing Arbroath, suffering a broken arm. So serious were the effects of this that the possibility of amputation was considered.
As awful as this was for Delaney, the rest of the world had their own problems. European arguments had boiled over into what became a seismic World War that would last until 1945. During this time – unlike the First World War – there was no national football competitions in Scotland. Instead, various regional tournaments were held.
