1987–88 Celtic F.C. season

Celtic
1987–88 season
Chairman Jack McGinn
Manager Billy McNeill
Ground Celtic Park
Glasgow, Scotland
Scottish Premier Division 1st (champions)
Scottish League Cup Quarter final
UEFA Cup First round
Scottish Cup Winners
Top goalscorer League:
Andy Walker (26)
All:
Andy Walker (32)
Highest home attendance 61,927 vs Dundee (23 April 1988)
Lowest home attendance 11,381 vs Falkirk (28 October 1987)
Average home league attendance 33,199

The 1987–88 season was Celtic's 99th season of competitive football, and also marked the club's centenary. Davie Hay was dismissed as manager in the close season following the team's failure to win any trophies during season 1986–87. Billy McNeill returned as manager, following four years in England with Manchester City and Aston Villa.

The playing squad saw a large turnaround in the summer of 1987, with Brian McClair, Mo Johnston, Murdo MacLeod and Alan McInally all leaving. Danny McGrain was given a free transfer and Davie Provan retired due to ill health. Centre-half Mick McCarthy was signed by Davie Hay a few days prior to his sacking. Billy McNeill then went on to sign Motherwell striker Andy Walker, Sheffield Wednesday full-back Chris Morris and Aberdeen midfielder Billy Stark over the summer. As the season progressed, forwards Frank McAvennie and Joe Miller were also signed.

Celtic made a strong start to their league campaign, and went on to win their 34th league championship title. During the autumn, Celtic were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Borussia Dortmund and the Scottish League Cup by Aberdeen. Celtic reached the Scottish Cup Final having come from behind against Hearts in the semi-final, scoring twice in the final four minutes to win 2–1. Celtic again went a goal down in the final against Dundee United, but came back to win, Frank McAvennie scoring the winning goal in the last minute to clinch a league and cup double.

Competitions

Scottish Premier Division

Main article: 1987–88 Scottish Premier Division

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Celtic (C) 44 31 10 3 79 23 +56 72 Qualification for the European Cup first round
2 Heart of Midlothian 44 23 16 5 74 32 +42 62 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3 Rangers 44 26 8 10 85 34 +51 60
4 Aberdeen 44 21 17 6 56 25 +31 59
5 Dundee United 44 16 15 13 54 47 +7 47 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round
Source: Statto
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions

Matches

8 August 1987 Premier League Morton 0 – 4 Celtic Greenock
15:00 Sunday Mail McGhee 13'
Stark 53'
Walker 61' 68' 		Stadium: Cappielow Park
Attendance: 14,174
12 August 1987 Premier League Celtic 1 – 0 Hearts Glasgow
19:30 McGhee 87' Daily Record Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 27,825
15 August 1987 Premier League Celtic 4 – 1 Motherwell Glasgow
15:00 McGhee 31'
Walker 36' 82'
Stark 78' 		The Sunday Post Kirk 74' Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 24,478
22 August 1987 Premier League Dunfermline Athletic 2 – 1 Celtic Dunfermline
15:00 Robertson 2'
Ferguson 57' 		Sunday Mail Walker 33' (pen) Stadium: East End Park
Attendance: 17,292
29 August 1987 Premier League Celtic 1 – 0 Rangers Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stark 4' Sunday Mail Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 60,178
5 September 1987 Premier League Dundee United 0 – 0 Celtic Dundee
15:00 GMT Sunday Mail Stadium: Tannadice Park
Attendance: 16,403
12 September 1987 Premier League Falkirk 0 – 1 Celtic Falkirk
15:00 GMT Evening Times Burns 33' Stadium: Brockville Park
Attendance: 14,319
19 September 1987 Premier League Celtic 2 – 2 Aberdeen Glasgow
15:00 GMT Burns 38'
Stark 48' 		Sunday Mail P. Nicholas 60'
J. Miller 89' 		Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 36,957
26 September 1987 Premier League St Mirren 0 – 1 Celtic Paisley
15:00 GMT Evening Times Whyte 74' Stadium: St Mirren Park, Love Street
Attendance: 18,011
3 October 1987 Premier League Celtic 1 – 1 Hibernian Glasgow
15:00 GMT Walker 4' Evening Times Watson 79' Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 29,802
7 October 1987 Premier League Dundee 1 – 1 Celtic Dundee
19:30 GMT Angus 44' Glasgow Herald Walker 70' (pen) Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 13,238
10 October 1987 Premier League Celtic 3 – 1 Morton Glasgow
19:30 GMT Whyte 2'
McAvennie 11'
Walker 18' 		Evening Times O'Hara 40' Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 20,940
17 October 1987 Premier League Rangers 2 – 2 Celtic Glasgow
15:00 GMT McCoist 65'
Gough 90' 		Sunday Telegraph Walker 33'
Butcher 35' (og) 		Stadium: Ibrox Park
Attendance: 43,486
24 October 1987 Premier League Celtic 1 – 2 Dundee United Glasgow
15:00 GMT Shepherd 90' Evening Times Clark 79'
Ferguson 88' 		Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 28,982
28 October 1987 Premier League Celtic 3 – 2 Falkirk Glasgow
19:30 GMT Archdeacon 31'
Stark 48' 80' 		Glasgow Herald Stewart 85'
Manley 87' 		Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 11,381
Referee: P. Hanley
31 October 1987 Premier League Aberdeen 0 – 1 Celtic Aberdeen
15:00 GMT Sunday Mail McAvennie 72' Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 20,562
7 November 1987 Premier League Hearts 1 – 1 Celtic Edinburgh
15:00 GMT Colquhoun 40' Sunday Post McGhee 78' Stadium: Tynecastle Park
Attendance: 28,992
Referee: J. McCluskey
14 November 1987 Premier League Celtic 5 – 0 Dundee Glasgow
15:00 GMT Walker 2' 5'
Miller 60'
McAvennie 67' 89' 		Sunday Mail Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 29,749
Referee: D. Miller
17 November 1987 Premier League Motherwell 0 – 2 Celtic Motherwell
19:30 GMT Glasgow Herald Walker 33'
Whyte 50' 		Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 17,003
Referee: D. Hope
21 November 1987 Premier League Celtic 4 – 0 Dunfermline Athletic Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 26,534
25 November 1987 Premier League Celtic 1 – 0 St Mirren Glasgow
19:30 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 24,718
28 November 1987 Premier League Hibernian 0 – 1 Celtic Edinburgh
15:00 GMT Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 23,055
5 December 1987 Premier League Morton 0 – 4 Celtic Greenock
15:00 GMT Stadium: Cappielow Park
Attendance: 12,552
12 December 1987 Premier League Celtic 2 – 2 Hearts Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 42,004
19 December 1987 Premier League Celtic 0 – 0 Aberdeen Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 35,711
22 December 1987 Premier League Falkirk 0 – 2 Celtic Falkirk
19:30 GMT Stadium: Brockville Park
Attendance: 11,144
26 December 1987 Premier League Dundee United 1 – 2 Celtic Dundee
15:00 GMT Stadium: Tannadice Park
Attendance: 18,465
2 January 1988 Premier League Celtic 2 – 0 Rangers Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 60,106
9 January 1988 Premier League St Mirren 1 – 1 Celtic Paisley
15:00 GMT Stadium: St Mirren Park, Love Street
Attendance: 19,030
16 January 1988 Premier League Celtic 2 – 0 Hibernian Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 34,896
6 February 1988 Premier League Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 23,035
13 February 1988 Premier League Dundee 1 – 2 Celtic Dundee
15:00 GMT Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 17,101
27 February 1988 Premier League Celtic 1 – 0 Morton Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 21,116
2 March 1988 Premier League Dunfermline Athletic 0 – 4 Celtic Dunfermline
19:30 GMT Stadium: East End Park
Attendance: 17,367
5 March 1988 Premier League Celtic 2 – 0 Falkirk Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 21,711
20 March 1988 Premier League Rangers 1 – 2 Celtic Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 42,850
26 March 1988 Premier League Celtic 0 – 0 Dundee United Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 32,934
30 March 1988 Premier League Aberdeen 0 – 1 Celtic Aberdeen
19:30 GMT Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 21,688
2 April 1988 Premier League Hibernian 0 – 2 Celtic Edinburgh
15:00 GMT Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 19,357
5 April 1988 Premier League Celtic 2 – 0 St Mirren Glasgow
19:30 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 41,465
16 April 1988 Premier League Hearts 2 – 1 Celtic Edinburgh
15:00 GMT Stadium: Tynecastle Park
Attendance: 25,144
23 April 1988 Premier League Celtic 3 – 0 Dundee Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 61,927
30 April 1988 Premier League Motherwell 0 – 1 Celtic Motherwell
15:00 GMT Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 13,874
7 May 1988 Premier League Celtic 1 – 0 Dunfermline Athletic Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 38,482

Scottish Cup

Main article: 1987–88 Scottish Cup
30 January 1988 Third round Celtic 1 - 0 Stranraer Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 21,625
21 February 1988 Fourth round Celtic 0 - 0 Hibernian Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 30,537
24 February 1988 Fourth round replay Hibernian 0 - 1 Celtic Edinburgh
19:30 GMT Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 24,000
12 March 1988 Fifth round Partick Thistle 0 - 3 Celtic Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Firhill Park
Attendance: 46,348
9 April 1988 Semi-final Celtic 2 - 1 Hearts Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 66,646
14 May 1988 Final Celtic 2 - 1 Dundee United Glasgow
15:00 GMT Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 68,090

Scottish League Cup

Main article: 1987–88 Scottish League Cup
19 August 1987 Second round Celtic 3 - 1 Forfar Athletic Glasgow
19:30 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 13,711
26 August 1987 Third round Dumbarton 1 - 5 Celtic Dumbarton
19:30 GMT Stadium: Boghead Park
Attendance: 9,429
1 September 1987 Quarter Finals Aberdeen 1 - 0 Celtic Aberdeen
19:30 GMT Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 21,539

UEFA Cup

Main article: 1987–88 UEFA Cup
15 September 1987 1st round 1st leg Celtic 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund Glasgow
20:00 GMT Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 41,400
30 September 1987 1st round 2nd leg Borussia Dortmund 2 - 0
(3 – 2 agg.) 		Celtic Dortmund
20:00 GMT Stadium: Westfalenstadion
Attendance: 54,000

Glasgow Cup

Main article: Glasgow Cup
3 November 1987 Glasgow Cup Semi-final Queen's Park 0 - 2 Celtic Glasgow
19:30 GMT Glasgow Herald Burns 65'
Archdeacon 80' (pen) 		Stadium: Hampden Park
Referee: G. Evans

Squad statistics

Pos. Name League Scottish Cup League Cup UEFA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Pat Bonner 32 0 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 39 0
GK Allen McKnight 12 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 17 0
DF Roy Aitken 43 1 6 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 54 1
DF Lex Baillie 14 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0
DF Stuart Balmer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
DF Mick McCarthy 23 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 28 0
DF Paul McGugan 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
DF Chris Morris 44 3 6 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 55 3
DF Anton Rogan 31 1 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 41 1
DF Derek Whyte 41 3 5 0 2 0 2 1 1 0 51 4
MF Tommy Burns 25 2 5 1 3 1 2 0 1 1 36 5
MF Peter Grant 37 2 3 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 44 2
MF Paul McStay 44 5 6 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 54 5
MF Steven Murray 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
MF Tony Shepherd 4 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 7 1
MF Billy Stark 37 8 5 2 3 3 2 0 0 0 47 13
MF Owen Archdeacon 9 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 11 2
FW Frank McAvennie 32 15 6 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 39 18
FW Dugald McCarrison 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
FW Mark McGhee 21 6 4 1 3 1 1 0 1 0 30 8
FW Dougie McGuire 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
FW Joe Miller 26 3 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 3
FW Andy Walker 42 26 4 2 3 3 2 1 0 0 51 32

Transfers

See also