After the unbridled success enjoyed by Celtic in the opening decades of the 20th century, the 1920s in comparison delivered much less for Celtic fans to cheer. Celebrating 2 league titles and 3 Scottish cups shows significant achievements for many clubs, but such was the dominance of the early Willie Maley sides the roaring 20s were a little more tempered in contrast.
The reduction in trophies did not result in a decline in quality names throughout the team, the emergence of a young striker in James Edward McGrory and the talents of Patsy Gallagher ensured that playing football “The Celtic Way" was preserved. Stalwarts of the club in the guise of Jimmy & Willie Mcstay supplied the grit & guile in defence that helped provide some high points during the mid twenties. Those celebrations were particularly special between March 1925 and April 1927, when Celtic secured the league title and two Scottish cup triumphs.
On the 21st March 1925 Celtic made the trip to Hampden very much in the shadow of our city neighbours. Rangers were the form team and were expected to seal a passage to the final, however 2 goals each from James McGrory and Adam McLean with a solitary strike from Alec Thomson secured a 5-0 victory as we sailed into the final. This result was the springboard to silverware.
In the cup final against Dundee just 3 weeks later James McGrory secured the cup heading in the winner with only a few minutes left to play, but he was upstaged by the mercurial talents of Patsy Gallagher as he weaved his way through the Dundee team and somersaulted into the net with the ball between his feet to bring Celtic level late in the second half.
The following season Celtic were crowned champions of Scotland winning the league by 8 points over second placed Airdrie. In his second full season as a Celtic regular, James McGrory played 43 league & cup matches scoring 42 goals. Both Willie and Jimmy McStay barely missed a match as Celtic missed out on a league & cup double, losing to St Mirren in the April showpiece final.
In season 1926-27 Celtic rattled in over 100 goals during the 38 match league season, this century of goals included 3 matches where James McGrory scored 4 goals and another 3 matches where he scored 5 goals in the games, ending the season with 56 goals. Scoring wasn't the issue, but perhaps stopping the opposition was. With over 50 goals lost in the league campaign Celtic finished 3rd. The season did end brightly with another visit to the national stadium to contest the Scottish Cup final.
East Fife were the underdogs, but that didn't stop the 2nd division side taking the lead after 7 minutes. Celtic were not behind for long scoring the equaliser just 60 seconds later thought an own goal. A goal each for Adam McLean and Patrick Connolly ensure the Scottish Cup returned to Paradise as Celtic ran out 3-1 winners in front of 80,000 fans.
Celtic may no longer have been the dominant force in the Scottish game, but the names that represented the club during the 20s certainly made their mark and would be considered amongst the greatest to wear the green & white hoops.
