1987: Dunfermline 2 Celtic 1

Memorable Match #95
Scottish Premier League
First SPL win over Celtic
East End Park
Saturday 22nd August 1987

Fifteen months before Dunfermline had been in the Second Division but on 22nd August 1987 they met Celtic In the Premier League, the first league match against them at East End Park since April 1975.

Dunfermline were unbeaten in their three Premier Division matches since winning promotion but their opponents arrived with a 100% record for the season. Peter Grant returned for Celtic after missing wins over Motherwell and Forfar Athletic with a knee ligament injury.

It did not take the Pars to seize the initiative with a goal in the first minute. Derek Whyte’s challenge on Ian McCall led to the first free kick off the match. From the right touchline, Graeme Robertson flighted the ball into right side of the Celtic penalty box where Grant Jenkins‘ flick on it found Craig ROBERTSON perfectly placed to get in his shot. It was not the cleanest of connections but it was brilliantly placed to beat Pat Bonner at the near post. 1-0

Above: Man of the Match Westie, and goalscorer Eric Ferguson and Craig Robertson

A good run by 22 year old Ian McCall ended with a really good delivery that Craig Robertson got his head to but unfortunately his attempt went wide.

Grant hit the base of the left goalpost to remind everyone that they were a threat before Eric Ferguson took advantage of a Billy Stark mistake. His cross tried to pick out George Cowie to his right but it was Jenkins who caught up with the ball to cut back for Cowie But the former West Ham and Hearts man blastEd over from no more than ten yards out.

It was going well for the Fifers but Celtic were to be handed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot. A Chris Morris cross picked out Stark on the right side of the penalty box. The Celtic man chipped the ball over Graeme Robertson and was then deemed to have been impeded by his marker.

Andy WALKER duly scored his seventh goal of the season the 34th minute penalty. Celtic had a chance before the break when McGhee nipped in front of Dave Young to head narrowly over the bar.

Half time: Dunfermline 1 Celtic 1

Early in the second half Walker played a one two off McGhee on the left to release a shot that rattled the underside of the bar and Stuart Beedie followed up to head over his own crossbar. Next chance was again for Celtic and Westwater beat away a fierce Walker effort from just 12 yards out.

When Ferguson then earned a corner on the left off Morris that heralded a second Dunfermline goal. Beedie’s cross from the left, saw the Celtic defence preoccupied by the presence of Norrie McCathie at the near post but the ball was aimed for the far post. Bonner came out, failed to take the ball leaving FERGUSON a simply chance. 2-1

In efforts to come from behind for a second time Rogan sent in a cross from left that Walker head on target only to be tipped against the post by Westwater.

Rogan was then the crucial defender sliding in to stop McCall finish a Jenkins pass. Westie continued to keep Celtic out, pulling off a superb save from a Walker run and left footed shot from the top of the D.

Celtic’s last chance came from a long ball from Roy Aitken that Walker ran on to in the right side of the Dunfermline box to cut the ball back for McGhee to set up McStay but he drilled his shot wide from 16 yards out. Celtic did not play badly but missed chances and slackness in defence were a bad combination.

Celtic had hit woodwork three times, through Grant and Walker (twice) but keeper Ian Westwater was in inspirational form and was justly awarded the Man of the Match award.

This was Billy McNeill`s first set back in a season in which Celtic would win the league with a ten point gap between them and second placed Hearts. Celtic lost only three league games that season.

Dunfermline`s inspiration Ian McCall earned a £150,000 move to Rangers days later on the back of this performance.
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DUNFERMLINE: Ian Westwater: Graeme Robertson, Bobby Forrest, Norrie McCathie (c) Dave Young, Craig Robertson, Stuart Beedie, George Cowie, Eric Ferguson, Ian McCall, Grant Jenkins
SUBS NOT USED: Stevie Morrison, Gary Thompson
SCORERS: C Robertson (1), Ferguson (

CELTIC: Pat Bonner: Chris Morris, Anton Rogan, Roy Aitken, Derek Whyte (Paul McGugan HT), Peter Grant, Billy Stark, Paul McStay, Mark McGhee, Andy Walker, Tommy Burns
SUBS NOT USED: Owen Archdeacon
SCORER: Walker (34 pen)

REFEREE: Louis Thow
ATTENDANCE: 18090

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