“It will be a great experience for the players, and it will be interesting to see how they come on,” said Blues manager Bob Stokoe. “We are very flattered to think that Celtic wanted to play us.”

It was not yet two years since Celtic had famously won the top European crown with their team of Lisbon Lions. Several players from that evocative side that defeated Inter Milan remained in their squad and were due to be on show at Brunton Park.

Jock Stein, the Celtic boss, had approached United for the friendly and pledged to bring his full pool of first-team players. The likes of Jimmy Johnstone and Bertie Auld would be among the crowd-pleasing visiting attractions, with a promising young player named Dalglish also in the away ranks.

Jimmy Johnstone was among the Celtic stars on show at Brunton Park (Image: PA)

Celtic officials, ahead of the January fixture, said that only “a few” of their fans would be making the journey. Nonetheless, Carlisle police declared themselves prepared, saying “a show of strength” would be made in the city and at Brunton Park, with extra officers, dog handlers and special constables deployed.

There was no shuffling of the pack by Stokoe in terms of selection either, the manager opting to name the side that lost to Sheffield United in Division Two the previous weekend. One particularly intriguing selection was thought to be that of goalkeeper Allan Ross, whose name had been mentioned in speculation linking him with Celtic.

The spray goes up as George McVitie attacks the Celtic defence (Image: News & Star)

“Strong reports” had mentioned Ross as a possible target, while it was known that Stein had cast his eye over the Blues at times. Stein himself was coy when this was put to him. “There are always rumours that we are interested in someone,” was all the Parkhead manager would say.

The prospect of a game to savour was at hand, and a 9,100 crowd got that – to a point. The torrential conditions made the Carlisle-Celtic clash a semi-completed affair that it did not make it all the way to the end.

Before it was interrupted, Ross had early opportunity to demonstrate his goalkeeping abilities. Only a minute had passed when United’s Scottish No 1 produced an excellent save from a Stevie Chalmers shot after some trademark trickery from ‘Jinky’ Johnstone.

Davie Hay was next to be denied by Ross, and then at the other end Carlisle’s stars made their own statements in the rain. A 30-yard shot from Chris Balderstone went narrowly over the Celtic bar and then, in the 20th minute, United scored: a long ball forward sticking in the mud, Tommy Murray quickly onto it and serving George McVitie, and the winger’s cross met by Frank Barton’s diving header.

Frank Barton lies in the mud after his diving header put Carlisle ahead against Celtic (Image: News & Star)

The muddy contest went on, with Ross pulling off further fine saves, yet Celtic were not denied when, in the 33rd minute, Bertie Auld received a short pass from Johnstone and cracked a 20-yard attempt beyond Ross.

Chalmers was denied a Celtic second just before half-time and the contest continued in spite of the soaking conditions, with puddles and spray dominating much of the play. Yet ten minutes into the second half and referee Kevin Howley finally called a halt to proceedings.

It was over after 55 minutes, the chances of the game continuing having diminished steadily, the encounter officially abandoned at 1-1 – yet the efforts of both teams, in the circumstances, were appreciated: even the match official himself stood at the tunnel and clapped all 22 players off.

Amid the regret at how the weather had sabotaged the high-profile game, there was further recognition for the part of the spectacle that had survived. “I think Mr Stein went away flattered by the fact that over 9,000 people turned up in atrocious weather conditions,” said Blues manager Stokoe.

“He was very pleased with the game and the reception, and said he wanted to come back and finish the match. He gave us an assurance that he would bring Celtic back again.”

The game was abandoned after 55 minute amid atrocious conditions (Image: News & Star)

Stokoe, speaking to reporters, added that there was “nothing” in the Ross-to-Celtic reports, and Carlisle’s league season duly resumed. They were back in action a couple of weeks later with a 2-0 win at Fulham; this came during Stokoe’s first season at the helm, as he repaired the early-season damage suffered under previous boss Tim Ward and guided the Blues to a 12th-place finish.

As for Celtic, further greatness was at hand, Stein’s side going on to win the domestic treble in 1968/69 for only the second time, including their fourth of nine successive Division One titles. After that, Stein was true to his word, and brought his team back to Brunton Park for a summer friendly. That one did make it through the full 90 minutes – and with a memorable 1-0 Carlisle win thanks to Tommy Murray’s goal.