Celtic on this Day – A first League Cup winners medal for Tommy Callaghan

The Celtic Star

·25 October 2024

Celtic on this Day – A first League Cup winners medal for Tommy Callaghan

On this day in 1969, Celtic’s glorious run of Scottish League Cup wins continued as they defeated St Johnstone 1-0 at Hampden Park thanks to a Bertie Auld header…

Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0 – Scottish League Cup Final, 25 October 1969. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic aiming for a fifth consecutive League Cup final victory

Contrast in experience at this level between the two sides had never been so stark. It was the 24th Scottish League Cup final and Celtic were hoping to retain the trophy for the fifth consecutive season. Whereas Willie Ormond’s Saintees were contesting their first major national cup final. Foregone conclusion?

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Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0 – Scottish League Cup Final, 25 October 1969. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Despite conceding within two minutes, St Johnstone earned a lot of plaudits for their admirable display. The only goal of the game came through Bertie Auld who latched onto Harry Hood’s header which rattled off the bar with Auld being quickest to pounce home.

Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0 – Scottish League Cup Final, 25 October 1969. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Consequences for Tommy Gemmell after kicking Helmut Haller

Controversy had struck the Celtic ranks prior to the League Cup clash with Perth Saints. The midweek before the final, Tommy Gemmell, Jimmy Johnstone and Billy McNeill had all played for Scotland in a World Cup qualifier against West Germany. Needing to avoid defeat, Bobby Brown’s side lost 3-2 which meant qualification for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico was in tatters. Crucially though, Tommy Gemmell was sent off after deliberately kicking Helmut Haller in retaliation for a bad challenge.

Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0 – Scottish League Cup Final, 25 October 1969. Photo The Celtic Wiki

It became all quite bizarre

Incensed by the actions of Gemmell in a Scotland jersey, Jock Stein dropped him for Davie Hay. However, Stein’s sentiments were not replicated in the stands. Celtic fans were not happy that Gemmell’s actions for Scotland would subsequently lead to him being dropped for a cup final. Admittedly, it became all quite bizarre.

Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0 – Scottish League Cup Final, 25 October 1969. Photo The Celtic Wiki

A truly special period in the club’s history

Enraged by the decision of the manager, Gemmell handed in a transfer request, which he later withdrew. It is fair to say the relationship between player and gaffer slowly dissipated after this incident, perhaps it never really recovered after that.

Meanwhile, it was the Hoops fifth consecutive League Cup triumph under the immortal Jock Stein and a remarkable 13th trophy in five years. A truly special period in the club’s history.

Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0 – Scottish League Cup Final, 25 October 1969.Steve Chalmers is removed from the field on a stretcher with a broken leg. Photo The Celtic Wiki

First League Cup medals for Davie Hay, Tommy Callaghan and Harry Hood

On a sour note, Stevie Chalmers broke his leg in the match and was sidelined for a considerable period thereafter.

Despite the Scottish League Cup becoming a lucky charm for Celtic during the second-half of the sixties, it was the first time Davie Hay, Tommy Callaghan and Harry Hood had received a winners medal in the competition.

Intriguingly, here was an intrinsic link between the two clubs competing 55 years ago today. Celtic trainer Bob Rooney’s son, Benny Rooney, led the St Johnstone team out to battle, captaining his side against the Hoops.

Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0 – Scottish League Cup Final, 25 October 1969. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic’s starting Xi on this day in 1969; Fallon, Craig, Hay, Murdoch, McNeill, Brogan, Callaghan, Hood, Hughes, Chalmers, Auld.

Tommy Callaghan, RIP. Image Celtic FC

In memory of Celtic legend Tommy Callaghan who passed away earlier today. Requiescat in pace, Tommy.

Conor Spence

Tommy Callaghan at a Celtic Star event at Celtic Park’s Kerrydale Suite, October 2023. Photo AJ, The Celtic Star

READ THIS…Matt Corr’s wonderful interview with Tommy Callaghan

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