Celtic in the Fifties – Another young Celt dies in tragic circumstances
· Yahoo Sports
Another young Celt dies in tragic circumstances…
Jackie Millsopp of Celtic FC. Photo via Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr.
Celts were again on the outside looking in as the League Cup quarter-final ties were decided in midweek. On an evening of no surprises, Hibernian scored another six goals against Morton at Easter Road to progress on a 12-3 aggregate, former Hoops wing-half Rab Quinn scoring twice for the Greenock men, whilst Rangers eased through 2-0 at Cathkin.
Visit freshyourfeel.org for more information.
At Dens Park, cup-holders Dundee scored five without reply to blow away Stirling Albion’s first-leg lead and Division B would be represented in the draw by Kilmarnock, my uncle Willie Jack scoring twice at Rugby Park as Malcolm MacDonald’s side beat St Johnstone 4-1 to reach that stage for the first time.
But as all of that was unfolding, so was a tragedy for the family of Celtic’s Jackie Millsopp, who passed away in Glasgow’s Royal infirmary, having starred against Falkirk just 11 days earlier.
Jackie Millsopp of Celtic FC. Photo via Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr.
Jackie had taken ill on the Monday following that match and had been admitted for an operation to remove his perforated appendix, but peritonitis had set in and just before 9pm on Wednesday, 17 September 1952, just like John Thomson almost exactly 21 years earlier, his life was over at the ridiculously young age of 22.
Jackie’s funeral took place at St Bride’s RC Church on Greenlees Road, Cambuslang on the morning of Saturday, 20 September 1952, just a few hours before Celtic played Rangers at nearby Parkhead.
With thousands looking on, his teammates Alec Boden, Bobby Evans, John McGrory, Jock Stein, Charlie Tully and Jock Weir carried Jackie’s coffin from the church into the hearse as he made his final journey to Westburn Cemetery.
Peter Scarff and Jimmy McGrory, Celtic FC. Photo via Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr.
Penny for the thoughts of Jimmy McGrory, who had faced the same task some two decades earlier following the untimely deaths of his own friends and colleagues, the young princes, John Thomson and Peter Scarff. Rangers players George Young, Sammy Cox, Jock Shaw and Ian McColl were also in attendance.
Sunday Post covering the John Thomson tragedy at Ibrox. Press cutting via Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr.
It was a subdued 48,000 crowd who looked on that afternoon, as for the second successive home match, the players donned black armbands and the lowered flags fluttered in the wind.
Sadly, the minute’s silence had to be abandoned less than halfway following a ‘filthy shout from the Rangers End.’
Photos taken at the Belfast Celtic XI v Celtic match played at Celtic Park, Belfast on 17 May 1952. Four months later, to the day, Jackie passed away, aged just 22. Above: Jackie Millsopp (right) looks on as John Bonnar clears for Celtic with Willie Fernie and Jock Stein in close attendance and captain for the day Charlie Tully in the background, hands on hips. Below: Jackie is seated second from right before the game. Photo via Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr.
Jackie is seated second from right before the game. Photo via Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr.
Not for the first time the Celtic line-up caused an element of surprise, left-back Alex Rollo introduced on the right wing with Sean Fallon leading the attack in the absence of John McPhail, their normal defensive roles covered by Alec Boden and Frank Meechan, a League debut for the youngster following his League Cup outing at Easter Road.
Willie Fernie also dropped out from the side which drew at Kirkcaldy, as Celtic fielded the following team.
John Bonnar; Alec Boden & Frank Meechan; Bobby Evans, Jock Stein & Joe Baillie; Alex Rollo, Jimmy Walsh, Sean Fallon, Charlie Tully & Bertie Peacock.
Celtic opened in spectacular style and were two goals ahead within 10 minutes. Jimmy Walsh was first on the scoresheet, the skilful young Fifer taking advantage of a loose ball as Fallon and Willie Woodburn battled at the edge of the box to dance around the grounded Rangers defender and fire a low shot past George Niven in the third minute.
All aboard! Jackie pictured second left at the front between Sean Fallon and Bobby Collins as Celts head for New York in the spring of 1951. Photo via Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr.
The Ibrox keeper was then badly at fault as Alex Rollo’s cross from fully 40 yards out on the Jungle touchline dropped behind him into the net, a second and final Celtic goal for the former Ashfield man. The crossbar then prevented Fallon from making it 3-0 before the break.
The visitors did have the better of the second half, but only winger Colin Liddell’s header via the far post with 18 minutes remaining put any dent in the scoreline as the Hoops won 2-1 to go joint top of the Division with East Fife on a day when football, for once, was not uppermost in our thoughts.
Happier times. Jackie, second left proudly wearing his club blazer, poses with his Celtic teammates before a golf day. Photo via Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr.
That one was for you, Jackie.
An extract from Celtic in the Fifties: Volume Two – Flags and Coronations, by Matt Corr. Published by Celtic Star Books.
Signed copies of both volumes of Celtic in the Fifties are available now at celticstarbooks.com/shop
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr. In two volumes, via Celticstarbooks.com
Follow Matt on X/Twitter @Boola-vogue
KNOW YOUR HISTORY WITH CELTIC STAR BOOKS – THE COLLECTION SO FAR…
Celtic Star Books Collection. Photo Matt Corr
HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…
Celtic Shorts is the new home for the team from The Celtic Star
NEW FROM CELTIC STAR BOOKS…Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, available now…
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr. Both Volumes out now. Order at celticstarbooks.com
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
Quick Tip –Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
Click to join Celtic Pools