Dundee 0
Celtic 2
Scottish Cup (2nd Round)

Match Report

Celtic were Cup and League Cup holders and challenging for their first League Championship title for 12 years so they approached the game with an air of confidence.

Dundee on the other hand had rarely been more ill-prepared for an important match. Alex Hamilton and Andy Penman had both put in transfer requests a matter of days before the game. Skipper Bobby Cox fell down the stairs at home cracking a bone in his shoulder, while internationalist. Charlie Cooke had strained knee ligaments though he was fit in time to play much to the surprise of the fans.

Even the postponement worked against Dundee as Cox's injury and Penman's request both came in the intervening time. The transfer situation was particularly frustrating as both players had signed contracts at the beginning of that season.

Despite such problems the following teams took to the field:

DUNDEE: Arrol, Hamilton, Ryden (capt) Cooke, Easton, Stuart, Penman, Murray, Bertelsen, J. McLean, Cameron.

CELTIC: Simpson, Craig, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Johnstone, McBride, Chalmers, Auld, Hughes.

REFEREE: Hugh Phillips (Wishaw). CROWD: 29,000 RECEIPTS: £5,218

John Arrol making his first team debut in goal for Dundee had the sort of start that was potentially confidence shattering when Celtic opened the scoring in four minutes.

Tommy Gemmell sped up the left wing with Steve Murray in hot pursuit. However, the Celt got to the bye-line to cross and thebhome defence was caught cold as JoebMcBride headed the ball down from six yards and watched gleefully as it bounced over Arrol's outstretched arms.

Despite this disasterous start Dundee took control of the game. During a purple patch they saw Murdoch clear off the line when Cameron had beaten Simpson.

In 12 minutes a Stuart free on the edge of the penalty area whistled past. Then Simpson pulled off an excellent save from Cameron's head after another Stuart free. In 16 minutes Simpson was beaten by Bertelsen this time but Gemmell saved the day.

In 22 minutes Celtic broke out of defence when Auld sent Chalmers away. He reached the box where he was brought down between Stuart and Easton.

Referee Phillips pointed to the spot but John Hughes' effort was well saved by the 19-year-old keeper.

"Yogi" as he was known to Celtic fans tried to redeem himself right away with a mazy dribble from his own half to the Dundee danger area but nothing came of it. The big fella was taking more and more part in the game and Hamilton was booked in 31 minutes for shoving him.

Celtic's Craig was carrying an injury and moved out to the right wing with Auld replacing him at full back. Dundee couldn't take advantage of the switch however and as the half wore on Celtic looked the likelier side. They proved this by going further ahead just before the break.

Jimmy Johnstone weaved his magic round three men and then released the ball to Chalmers. Arrol saved his first attempt from 12 yards but the No 9 scored from the rebound to put Celtic 2-0 up.

John Hughes was becoming the game's dominant personality taking on several players at a time and causing Alex Hamilton all sorts of problems. In 65 minutes he unleashed a superb shot which produced a fingertip save from Arrol.

Although Dundee had a very good spell in the first half and must have felt unlucky going in 2-0 down, Celtic dominated the second period and deserved their victory.

Jock Stein's men displayed the magic combination of determination allied to skill, and strength, to earn a tie against Hearts in the next round.

The missing ingredient for Dundee was a lack of physical strength. They seemed to sag in the second half and consequently fell back into defence. Manager Bobby Ancell put this down to a lack of match practice due to postponements.

However, it was no disgrace to lose to a Celticnteam that was embarking on it's most successfulbever era.

Nine of the players who played in their team at Dens that evening went on to win European Cup medals the following year with only Hughes and McBride missing out.

Match report written by David Quinn (Matchday Programme)