Christmas lights and the game performed in Celtic style…

In between bites of today’s Christmas dinner, your thoughts may go to Celtic later this week. For the first time ever, if it was 130 years ago today, you could have actually gone to watch the first

team in action.

The first XI took their Yuletide debut in 1893, but the Celtic reserve team, sometimes known as the Strollers or Crusaders, had played on Christmas Day in 1888. In addition to adding a piece of Celtic heritage, playing on Christmas Day also left a lasting impression.

Clyde were Celtic’s neighbors and rivals. Five thousand spectators turned out to watch the Christmas Eve kickoff at 7 p.m. The other noteworthy aspect of the contest was the timing. Due to the darkness of the time, night games were not played; however, this was to be the first Celtic Park game to be played with electric lights.

This system of floodlighting was not what we were used to. Rather, lights were hung at different heights along the pitch’s wires in an attempt to illuminate the area below.

Despite playing against the wind, Clyde managed to dominate the opening session. Before the visitors were able to score the first goal, Cullen in the Celtic goal was put to the test several times. The Celts, however, quickly established themselves. They tried again, but Clyde’s defense held them off. This was prior to Sandy McMahon’s equalizing strike for the Bhoys after Johnny Madden knocked the ball across.

Clyde scored just before halftime again, but this time it was disallowed. The media didn’t seem to know why, though. According to one account, both teams “commenced a banging game” in the second half. Clyde’s ire stemmed from the fact that, despite his passionate appeals, a second goal was disallowed.

The Barrowfield men appeared to lose their composure as a result, and they were unable to effectively assault the Celts. Their situation deteriorated when they were forced to use just ten guys because of injuries.

Despite having an edge in manpower, the Bhoys were unable to create an opening that would have won them the game. The game finished in a draw, 1-1.

The lighting system received a mixed response. Certain fans expressed their dissatisfaction about the pitch’s inadequate lighting. The players also complained that the ball kept hitting the wires. The most dramatic account of the event, as well as the actions done to bring the pitch in order, came from Scottish Sport:

Celtic Park gave rise to the idea of a disassembled cattle show with all of its poles, wires, and bundles of straw surrounding the pitch.

The Scottish Leader, a different publication, attacked the new electric system, stating:

It is difficult to view it as an absolute triumph because of how erratic it was at times. It appeared to be going out completely a few times, but thankfully that did not occur.

One additional game under the lights was played by the Bhoys. The Edinburgh team filed a protest after their 8-1 Scottish Cup victory over St. Bernard’s because the ball had struck the overhead wires.

Even though the protest was dismissed, Celtic Park’s specific lighting setup was terminated. Before Parkhead had a good illumination system constructed, it would be 1959.

However, games on Christmas Day would grow much more popular. Twenty times, including the opening game, has Celtic’s starting eleven accomplished this. The most recent was a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Hearts in 1971.

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