“Know your History…” – Today is a VERY SPECIAL day for Celtic, and many Celtic fans aren’t aware of that.

A Special Day in Celtic History: October 11, 1930

October 11, 1930, marks an important date in Celtic’s rich history. It was on this day that Celtic won the Glasgow Cup, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rangers in front of 70,000 spectators at Hampden Park. The win ended a two-year trophy drought for the Hoops, and the victory would become a significant moment for many players involved. The team lineup featured Celtic legends of the time, including John Thomson, Jimmy McGrory, and Bertie Thomson, among others.

The Lineup and Key Moments

Celtic’s lineup for the Glasgow Cup final on that memorable October day was as follows:

Goalkeeper:

• John Thomson

Defenders:

• Willie Cook
• Peter McGonagle

Midfielders:

• Chic Geatons
• Jimmy McStay
• Bobby Whitelaw

Forwards:

• Bertie Thomson
• Alec Thomson
• Jimmy McGrory
• Peter Scarff
• Charlie Napier

The first goal of the match came early, with Charlie Napier putting Celtic ahead. Napier, however, endured a rough day on the pitch, receiving several hard tackles, including some unsportsmanlike challenges from Rangers’ Jock Buchanan. Despite Napier’s injury troubles, he would eventually open the scoring and play a key role in Celtic’s victory.

Jimmy McGrory, one of Celtic’s most iconic strikers, scored the second goal, ensuring the Hoops would lift the Glasgow Cup trophy. McGrory’s performance that day is still remembered as a significant one, as he was an integral part of Celtic’s attack during the 1930s.

However, Celtic’s win came with some controversy. Peter Scarff had a goal disallowed, and Bertie Thomson was sent off for retaliating against Buchanan’s persistent fouls. Celtic would later lodge a complaint with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) regarding what they felt was a miscarriage of justice regarding the challenges on Thomson.

The Key Players: Legacy and Tragedy

This match was important for many of the players involved, including Charlie Napier and Peter Scarff, both of whom had come through the ranks to become integral members of the squad. For Scarff, the victory marked the first of his career, but his football journey would be short-lived. Tragically, Scarff was struck by a serious illness shortly after the 1931 Scottish Cup win, which changed the course of his life. His early career was full of promise, but his subsequent health issues cut his playing days short.

Jimmy McGrory, who scored the decisive second goal in the 2-1 victory, remains one of the most beloved figures in Celtic history. Known for his prolific goal-scoring ability, McGrory’s direct opponent on the day was Rangers captain Davie Meiklejohn. While McGrory was a constant threat to Rangers’ defense, his performance highlighted the gap in quality between Celtic and their arch-rivals during that period.

There is also an interesting side story from the 1930 Glasgow Cup final. Jimmy Simpson, who was Rangers’ centre-half on the day, had personal matters on his mind. On the same day, just a stone’s throw from Hampden, Simpson’s wife, Mabel, gave birth to their first child, a boy who would be named Ronald Campbell Simpson. Ronald would grow up to have a successful football career, and his father’s involvement in the 1930 Glasgow Cup final would later become a poignant part of their family’s history.

Ronnie Simpson: From Father to Son

Ronnie Simpson, the son of Jimmy Simpson, would go on to achieve his own place in Scottish football history. He became a top-class goalkeeper, notably playing for teams like Queen’s Park, Third Lanark, and Newcastle United, where he won two FA Cup titles in the 1950s. His career would come full circle in 1964 when Celtic manager Jock Stein, who had also been involved in the 1930 Glasgow Cup final, signed Ronnie Simpson to Celtic Park.

Simpson’s arrival at Celtic would coincide with a transformative period in the club’s history. Under Jock Stein, Celtic went on to win the European Cup in 1967, and Simpson played a key role in the club’s rise to dominance in European football. His father, Jimmy Simpson, had been part of Rangers’ defense during that Glasgow Cup final in 1930, but young Ronnie would go on to represent Celtic, creating a fascinating connection between the two generations.

Celtic’s Ongoing Legacy

Celtic’s victory in the 1930 Glasgow Cup was a pivotal moment for the club. It marked the end of a two-year trophy drought, and the team’s success on that day gave them much-needed momentum heading into the following year. A few months after winning the Glasgow Cup, Celtic would go on to lift the Scottish Cup at Hampden in April 1931.

This achievement set the stage for Celtic’s dominance in Scottish football during the early 1930s. The team boasted a mix of seasoned veterans and young talent, and the 1930 Glasgow Cup final was a perfect example of their strength as a unit.

Conclusion: A Day to Remember

The Glasgow Cup final of 1930 remains a special day in Celtic’s history, not only because it marked the club’s return to winning ways but also because it brought together key figures whose legacies would shape the future of the club. Players like Jimmy McGrory, Charlie Napier, and Peter Scarff etched their names into Celtic folklore that day, while the personal stories surrounding the Simpson family would later create another layer of connection between Celtic and Rangers.

For Celtic supporters, October 11, 1930, is more than just the day of a significant victory. It’s a day that serves as a reminder of the club’s rich tradition, its resilient players, and the lasting impact they left on Celtic’s history. As we remember this special day, we continue to celebrate the pride and passion that has defined Celtic Football Club for over a century.