CELTIC SCOTTISH
CUP HOLDERS FOR
NINETEENTH TIME
by Glyn Edwards
Aberdeen 0, Celtic 2
For their more positive approach to the game, Celtic thoroughly deserved to beat Aberdeen at Hampden Park, win the Scottish Cup for the nineteenth time, and thus equal the record of their arch-rivals, Rangers, in this competition.
Often in a cup final the stark prospect of defeat leads to over-anxiousness among the players and the game is dragged down to a moderate standard. Such was the case on Saturday when, because of Aberdeen's unrealistic dedication to caution, play rarely reached the level of entertainment and skill which the crowd of 126,102 had every reason to expect.
That the game was something of a disappointment was, however, no fault of Celtic, who played with a purpose and method to which Aberdeen, by withdrawing Smith and Melrose and undermanning their attack, voluntarily did not aspire. Celtic's forwards always looked likely to inflict more damage than Aberdeen' depleted attack, in which only Storrie, despite poor support, performed with any lasting effect.
Defensive play
And a confident Celtic defence -- under stress for only a short spell when Aberdeen, having lost the second goal, realised the folly of their defensive ways and contrived to get back into the game -- conceded nothing and ensured that their forwards received a plentiful supply of the ball.
Celtic's decisive tactic was to move Chalmers almost immediately the game started out to the right wing and play Johnstone as a double spearhead with Wallace. And right well did the three perform in those roles. Chalmers's turn of foot and determination repeatedly exposed the Aberdeen goal to danger, and Johnstone, as always, made space for himself and openings for his colleagues with intricate footwork and effective running. Wallace took both his goals with calm assurance and generally achieved something constructive every time he came in contact with the ball.
With Auld, the mainspring of an efficient mechanism, rapping passes to all points of the field with unerring accuracy and Lennox enjoying considerable success as his wing partner, Aberdeen's powers underwent such severe examination that by the end they had just to stand by and watch as Celtic, with almost nonchalant ease, retained possession of the ball with no apparent desire to add to their tally.
To be fair, Aberdeen were reasonably efficient themselves in defence -- but it was at the expense of an attack that could have had greater success with some worthwhile support.
This point was emphasised when they threw caution to the winds and abandoned their negative approach. First Storrie, after fine leading-up work by Munro and Smith, was denied a goal only by the brilliance of Simpson, who, twisting over in the air, stopped the centre forward's close-in shot on the line and allowed Chalmers to complete the clearance. Then, with only three minutes remaining for play, Wilson clipped the ball across to the far post, where Petersen stuck out a leg and diverted the ball goalwards. The ball was rolling over the line when Simpson, running across from the near post, kicked the ball to safety.
The game started, as it ended, with a disappointment for Aberdeen, whose manager, Mr E. Turnbull, was unable to attend because of illness. Had he been at the match he would doubtless have advised Aberdeen to change their tactics by the end of the first half-hour, by which time Celtic, despite having the wind in their faces, had established a clear superiority in midfield and were practically encamped in their opponents' half of the field.
In the face of so much pressure, Aberdeen's redoubt just had to fall, and it duly did in 43 minutes. Lennox pushed a short corner to Auld, who first feinted to cross and then slipped the ball back to the left winger at the corner of the penalty area. Lennox then cleverly evaded two tackles, made for the byeline, and crossed low into the middle, where Wallace jabbed the ball past Clark at the near post. It was not the most spectacular of goals, but the leading-up work could scarcely have been better.
Second goal
Aberdeen no doubt received new instructions at the interval, but before they had the chance to put them into effect Celtic struck again. The move which led to the goal in 49 minutes began with Murdoch, was further developed by Chalmers and Johnstone, and finished off in fine style by Wallace, who unhesitatingly cracked Johnstone's cross high into the net. Thereafter, Celtic went close to scoring a third goal on several occasions, but they never needed fully to extend themselves and another score, welcome though it might have been, would have been superfluous. Aberdeen had long since been completely mastered.
Thus Celtic have moved yet [line missing] completion of the grand slam and Simpson, the oldest player afield on Saturday, has at last gained a Scottish Cup medal. To the youngest of the 22, Smith, went the unenviable distinction of being the only player the referee felt obliged to book -- for bringing Chalmers to earth in the first half when the ball was nowhere in their vicinity.
Aberdeen -- Clark; White and Shewan; Munro, McMillan, and Petersen; Wilson and Smith; Storrie; Melrose and Johnston. -- Substitute -- Taylor.
Celtic -- Simpson; Craig and Gemmell; Murdoch, McNeill, and Clark; Johnstone and Wallace; Chalmers; Auld and Lennox. Substitute -- Hughes.
Referee -- W.W.M. Syme (Glasgow).
Glasgow Herald, May 1, 1967, page 4.
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