Hampden in the Sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1 – The story of that great day in 1957

The Celtic Star

·18 October 2024

Hampden in the Sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1 – The story of that great day in 1957

19 October is a big anniversary in Celtic’s history. On that day in 1957, arguably Celtic’s most famous scoreline took place: Celtic 7 Rangers 1…

Hampden in the Sun. Celtic 7 Rangers 1. 19 October 1957.

Here is the full story of that great day in 1957.

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Celtic’s route to the final saw them top a group which also included Hibs, Airdrie and East Fife. The Celts then beat Third Lanark (quarters) and Clyde (semis) to reach the final.

Earlier in the competition, Rangers finished at the head of a group which also had Raith Rovers, St Mirren and Partick Thistle. The Ibrox side beat Kilmarnock in the quarters and then Brechin City in the semi.

Hampden in the Sun. Celtic 7 Rangers 1. 19 October 1957. The Celtic team was Beattie, Donnelly, Fallon, Fernie, Evans, Peacock, Tully, Collins, McPhail, Wilson, Mochan.

The final was held on 19 October 1957, at Hampden Park. Celtic – managed by legendary former player Jimmy McGrory – lined up as follows: Beattie, Donnelly, Fallon, Fernie, Evans, Peacock, Tully, Collins, McPhail, Wilson, Mochan.

Rangers – under the control of Scott Symon – had the following XI: Niven, Shearer, Caldow, McColl, Valentine, Davis, Scott, Simpson, Murray, Baird.

Wilson scores Celtic first goal…

Both sides were mid-table in the league, having played only three games compared to leaders’ Hearts’ six. But Celtic had won at Ibrox in September 1957 for the first time in 22 years.

It was a glorious day at Hampden – the sun was certainly out – and more than 80,000 fans turned out. This first Celtic-Rangers final in 30 years was sure to be a classic.

Mochan makes it two-nil to Celtic

Referee J.A. Mowat of Rutherglen blew his whistle to start the match. Celtic took the kick off and shot towards the east terracing; the Bhoys looked in the mood and seemed to be on the goal hunt!

Twenty minutes in and there was no scoring. Celtic dominated early proceedings – and could have been four up; Collins and Tully had especially good chances, with both hitting the woodwork. But the match still awaited a breakthrough.

McPhail makes it 3-0

And when a goal came, it was the Celts that took the lead! Celtic’s Billy McPhail headed the ball to Sammy Wilson, who struck a perfect volley past Niven in the Rangers’ goal.

As half-time approached, the score remained one-nil to Celtic. Both teams pushed but had no luck. Bobby Collins of Celtic came closest with a powerful 30-yard drive. But then just as half-time was about to be called, the Celts doubled their lead!

McPhail scores again – that’s number four and Celtic are heading for a record score!

Neilly Mochan ran down the left, evading all challenges, and slammed in a beauty to give Celtic a huge advantage. Celtic 2-0 Rangers, read the scoreline so at half-time, things looked great for Celtic.

When the teams came back out, it was Rangers that started the second half, and things were about to get much worse for the Ibrox men.

Mochan scores Celtic’s 5th and his second

Celtic now attacked towards the west terracing. As the Bhoys forwards headed in this direction, it became impossible to see a way back for Rangers – Celtic went three ahead! A cross from the right side of the pitch was headed home by Billy McPhail.

However just after this, Rangers thought they might be back in it. Rangers’ captain Ian McColl sent in a cross which was knocked home by Billy Simpson. With the scoreline reading 3-1 to Celtic, it was game on at Hampden.

McPhail gets the 6th with his hat-trick

However these light blue hopes of a comeback were extinguished almost immediately – Celtic had a fourth goal! From close range, Billy McPhail knocked in his second of the day.

Then things really fell apart for Rangers. Another cross from the right was rammed home by Neilly Mochan – doubling his total for the day. And then Billy McPhail completed his hat trick and added to Rangers’ misery.

It was a real trouncing for the Ibrox men. If there was a roof at Hampden, it would have come off!

Fernie makes it save with a penalty kick

At this point, trouble broke out in the Rangers’ end. After Celtic’s sixth goal went in, fighting broke out on the west terracing. Numerous police officers were deployed to deal with the trouble. Those Rangers’ fans fury was about to increase.

Willie Fernie converted a penalty for Celtic, the final goal of the day. It was Celtic 7 Rangers 1. What a scoreline!

Eventually the final whistle sounded in a remarkable game. Celtic had put seven goals past their great rivals and retained the League Cup.It’s a scoreline to be remembered for generations.

19 October 1957. League cup Final. Celtic 7 Rangers 1

Hampden in the Sun. 19 October 1957. League cup Final. Celtic 7 Rangers 1

After the match, club captain Bertie Peacock lead his men up the Hampden steps. He was handed the League Cup trophy and waved it to the acclaim of all those in green and white.

This was a fantastic and historic afternoon of football. Celtic’s 7-1 hammering of their rivals Rangers was a British Cup Final record, which continues to this day.

Altogether now, “Oh Hampden in the sun…”

Hampden in the Sun. 19 October 1957. League cup Final. Celtic 7 Rangers 1

Matthew Marr

Hampden in the Sun. 19 October 1957. League cup Final. Celtic 7 Rangers 1

Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailhistory

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Manchester bound for the legends game. Reading material sorted. @hailhailhistory
– Saturday, 7 September 2024

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star

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