Knocking out Celtic had fan Ian walking on Ayr
Celtic fans shouldn’t be too disheartened by their team’s pre-season results.
Neil Lennon’s men lost two of their three friendlies in France but are still favourites to win their tenth title-in-a-row.
It’s exactly 40 years since the Hoops suffered a shock defeat in the Drybrough Cup – a curtain-raiser for the new season.
It was the first tournament in Scotland to have a sponsor’s name, and season 1980- 81 turned out to be the sixth and last time the trophy was played for.
The format consisted of eight teams playing a first round, semi-finals and a final.
Those competing were the four highestscoring teams from the top flight, and the four highest-scoring teams from Division One.
Rangers had finished fifth in 1980, having hit the net just 43 times, so didn’t take part.
That meant the sponsors were hoping for Celtic to reach the final and bring their huge support to Hampden Park.
Their plans were torn apart by Ayr United. Willie Mclean’s Honest Men triumphed 1- 0 on the last Sunday of July at Celtic Park.
It was a memorable day for defender Ian Mcallister.
He recalled: “I don’t think anyone expected us to win at Parkhead, certainly not the Ayr directors.
“They put us on a £ 250 bonus to win the match. It was the biggest amount I can remember us ever playing for.
“So it was probably a bittersweet victory because they had to pay out!
“We didn’t have anything in writing, but they did come up with the cash.
“I had grown up as a Celtic supporter, but I’d been associated with Ayr since the age of 11.
“There were no split loyalties in my family. As soon as I became a signed player, they were backing me.
“Winning against Celtic with a part- time team at the age of 20 was fantastic.
“It seemed easy, but I never won there again. “Charlie Nicholas was playing one of his first games, and we managed to keep him off the scoresheet.
“Eric Morris, who’d come from Rangers, headed the winner right at the end.”
Ayr played St Mirren in the semi-final just 48 hours later and lost 2-1.
Ian went on: “There was no big celebration after beating Celtic.
“We didn’t have that many players living in Ayrshire at the time, so we all went our separate ways after the game.
“Maybe the schedule caught up with us. I think St Mirren deserved to win.”
Saints were beaten 2- 1 by Aberdeen in the final on Saturday, August 2. Only 6,994 fans paid £4 each to watch it.
Celtic bounced back to win the Premier Division with a record 26 victories.
Ian served Ayr from 1977 to 1992 and was one of the first three men inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
The others were striker, Peter Price, and legendary manager, Ally Macleod.
Ally had a big impact on Ian.
He recalled: “Ally was my boss twice and a great man. He loved football and was always last to leave the 5-a-sides at the end of training.
“He put together an exciting, attacking side when we won the Second Division in 1989.
“Pre- season games with Ayr weren’t always like beating Celtic.
“We played Arsenal in 1987 and Ally made me sub. He was sure we could beat them.
“We were 5- 0 down in the first half and he told me to warm up.
“I thought, ‘No chance’. I hid in a corner. We ended up losing 6-0.”
He said: “Kilmarnock were interested in me, but Ally advised that moving there would spoil my relationship with the fans.
“He was right. Some people don’t realise how big the rivalry is.”