Relichtie
Memorable
matches
December 16 1972 Arbroath 1-2 Celtic Scottish League 1st Division.
This match was requested by Mike.
" Harry Hood plays Houdini and Arbroath go down "
This was the headline in the Arbroath Guide on the Friday after the match.
The match got off to a sensational start when Sellars latched on to a pass from Tom Cargill, left the Celtic defence standing and hammered the ball into the net.
In 13 mins. it should have been 2-0, when Pirie smashed home a glorious shot only for the referee to chalk it off for an infringement apparent only to himself. As the ball had came to the Arbroath centre from a cross from Sellars, who had cut the ball back, it couldn't have been for offside, we fans were puzzled to say the least.
Arbroath gave as good as they got for the rest of the half, and Celtic resorted to some unsavoury tactics to try to halt the rampant lichties.
A severe "talking to" at half time galvanised the Glasgow side and the second half belonged to them. Marshall and his defenders performed heroics as Jimmy Johnstone, Dalglish, and Hood carved out numerous chances for the Parkhead side. It was though the substitution of Bobby Lennox for McCluskey in the 65th minute which ultimately paved the way to victory for Celtic. The speedy front man chased for the ball with Marshall in the 71st minute, and when the ball broke to Harry Hood, well he doesn't miss them.
It was all Celtic now, and all Arbroath's heroics came to nothing when in 86 mins, Lennox raced down the right, and crossed to Hood who made no mistake.
It had been a gallant display by the maroons, but the introduction of Lenox really turned the game in favour of the Glasgow side, but if Pirie's strike in 13 mins. had stood, who knows what the outcome would have been.
Arbroath - Marshall, Milne, Rylance, Cargill, Waddell, Winchester, Sellars, Cant, Pirie, Stanton, Payne. sub Fletcher.
Celtic - Williams, McGrain, Brogan, McCluskey, McNeill, Hay, Johnstone, Connelly, Dalglish, Murdoch, Hood. sub Lennox.
Referee R.C. Greenlees, Lochgelly.
Attendance 5481.