It may have taken fifteen attempts and eight seasons for Motherwell to register their first ever victory over Celtic. But since that fateful day on 4th February 1911, when a double from Brand helped secure a 2-1 win for the Fir Parkers, Motherwell sides of old have produced more than enough results to inspire the current incumbents of that claret and amber jersey when they take on Celtic at Hampden Park on Sunday.
Between 1904/05 and 1947/48 only three teams were Scottish Champions. Celtic, Rangers and of course Motherwell who won the title in season 1931/32. Around the mid-1920’s something of a golden era in the club’s history began which saw the Steelmen become perennial title challengers and regularly make it towards the latter stages of the Scottish Cup. To do so the Motherwell sides of the day required to hold their own against Celtic and this they began to do with increasing regularity.
Of course there were some defeats along the way, and one or two heavy losses at that, but none before or since has replicated the severity of the thrashing that Motherwell inflicted upon the Hoops on 30th April 1937 when Celtic were humiliated 8-0 at the hands of the Steelmen.
It was a particularly momentous afternoon for Alexander Stewart, Motherwell’s centre-forward, who netted no fewer than six times against the beleaguered Glasgow side.
Ogilvie put Motherwell ahead in the 9th minute and turned provider four minutes later when Stevenston put ‘Well two goals to the good. Stewart netted his first of the afternoon on 21 minutes with Ogilvie once more the architect.
Just six minutes later the Steelmen went 4-0 ahead when Stewart netted his second of the game. Already effectively playing with a man down through an injury to Morrison, Celtic’s woes were compounded when Kennaway, who had thus far performed heroics between the posts in keeping the scoreline to four, had to retire injured.
It was almost midway through the second half before ‘Well struck again with Stewart getting his hat-trick in the 64th minute. Now smelling blood the striker struck again just two minutes later to make it 6-0 to the Fir Parkers.
In the 78th minute Stewart made it 7-0 before completing the scoring and grabbing his second hat-trick of the day with seven minutes remaining.
It is a result that remains Celtic’s record defeat to this very day!
Whilst not quite matching that incredible eight goal tally another high scoring Motherwell victory at Celtic Park in 1950 proved arguably even more significant.
Having topped a League Cup section that included Hearts, Airdrie and Partick Thistle the Steelmen were paired with Celtic in a two-legged Quarter Final tie; with the first of the two matches taking place at Parkhead on 16th September 1950.
The home side took an early lead through McPhail in the 2nd minute but their lead lasted just six minutes before ‘Well levelled through Watson.
A 38th minute own goal from Haughney gave Motherwell the lead at half-time and following the interval the Fir Parkers pressed home their advantage scoring in the 50th and 60th minutes through Forrest and Hunter all but securing their place in the Semi Finals and leaving the bulk of the 50,000 crowd stunned.
When the sides reconvened in Lanarkshire four days later the visitors made several changes as they attempted to find a way back into the tie. It was McPhail again opened the scoring but this time there would be no further goals beyond his 24th minute opener and a crowd of 29,000 would witness Motherwell go through 4-2 on aggregate.
Little more than four weeks on and Andy Paton would be holding the League Cup trophy aloft at Hampden Park with the Steelmen having seen off Hibernian 3-0 in the Final front of 64,000 spectators.