CELTIC 3 DUNFERMLINE 2 April 24 1965
CELTIC hadn’t won a trophy in eight torturous years until captain supreme Billy McNeill rose to get his blond head to a left-wing corner-kick from Charlie Gallagher to send an effort sailing into the Dunfermline net to ensure the Scottish Cup was coming home to Paradise.
Jock Stein, who had returned as the club’s manager the previous month, witnessed his centre-half’s 82nd-minute unstoppable header thump into the net for his side’s third goal on a gloriously memorable afternoon at Hampden.
NET GAIN…Bertie Auld, scorer of Celtic’s first goal, is about to be congratulated by Stevie Chalmers.
McNeill’s breathtaking leap and perfect contact made the scoreline 3-2 for the Parkhead side and the famous old trophy was about to be adorned in green and white ribbons and escorted across Glasgow to the city’s east end.
Celtic had to come back twice to nullify strikes from Harry Melrose and John McLaughlin with replies from Bertie Auld, the first of his double a rare header.
It was the gateway to the most extraordinarily successful period in Celtic history.
*TOMORROW: Don’t miss CLASSIC CELTIC: Part Four – only in your champion CQN.
