King Henriks Celtic Shrine

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The Celtic Story

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Celtic Football Club
1888

The seeds of the grand history of Celtic football club were planted with the noblest of motives. Established in 1888, the club was the idea of Brother Walfrid, leader of a teaching institute, the Marist Order, in Glasgow.

Inspired by the example of Edinburgh Hibernian football club, Brother Walfrid saw the establishment of a football club in Glasgow's East End as an opportunity to raise money for a charity he had established, The Poor Children's Dinner Table, and an opportunity to give the Irish population something which they could feel proud to be a part of.

It was Walfrid's own suggestion of the name Celtic, a reflection of both its Irish and Scottish roots, that was adopted at a meeting to form the club in November 1887.

[ TEAM OF 1908 ] A patch of land was rented, close to the club's current ground at a cost of £50 a year and the local community worked for free to transform it into a football pitch.

Six months later Celtic played their first fixture, beating Rangers in a friendly 5 -2, the first of many notable clashes between the two Glasgow teams.

Within four years the club had taken the Scottish Cup at only their fourth attempt and, a year later, Celtic recorded their first victory in the Scottish League. These early triumphs proved a benchmark as the club quickly established itself as Scotland's most successful side. Between 1892 and the outbreak of World War One, Celtic claimed eleven league titles, including six titles in a row between 1905 and 1910, and nine victories in the Scottish Cup.

[ QUINN AND GALLACHER ] Celtic's success could be attributed to to the club's first secretary and manager Willy Maley. A former player, Maley was appointed in 1897, just after the club had become a limited company.

Maley adopted a successful youth policy, signing great players like Jimmy Quinn and Patsy Gallacher from the ranks of Junior football, culminating in another four successive League Championships during the war years.

[ TEAM OF '25 ] After their success during the wartime years, the 1920s saw Celtic sail into choppier waters. The club did not totally lose the winning touch - There were League Championship victories in 1919, 1922 and 1926, and Scottish Cup successes in 1923, 1925 and 1927 - but the club was not as dominant and there were increasing problems off the field. The 20s saw the rise of sectarianism in the Scottish game, culminating in a riot at the end of the 1922 season at Morton as Celtic clinched the league. In the wake of the Irish rising and the Civil War, religious feelings were running high in Scotland.

[ JIMMY MCGRORY ] Celtic remained an attractive side to watch in the 20s with the likes of Patsy Gallagher, Jimmy McGrory and, in goal, John Thomson establishing themselves as Celtic Park favourites.

But fans were angry at rumours of player unrest over pay and conditions and the club's willingness to sell their best players. Patsy Gallagher moved to Falkirk after refusing to resign for minimum wages in 1926, while Jimmy McGrory was offered to Arsenal, though the player refused to move.

[ TEAM OF '31 ] The club continued to win honours in the 1930s, with Scottish Cup victories in 1931, 1933 and 1937 and League Championships in 1933 and 1937 as manager Willie Maley built another impressive young side at little cost. But the club's success in that decade was overshadowed by the tragic death of goalkeeper John Thomson during an Old Firm game in September 1931. A brave, committed player Thomson dived at the feet of Rangers' Sam English, sustaining a skull fracture. He died in hospital later that night.

When Thomson was buried in his home village of Cardenden in Fife the following Monday, 30,000 mourners lined the funeral route.

After an undistinguished five years in a regional league during the war, Celtic emerged into peacetime with a new manager Jimmy McGrory and a team largely unrecognisable from the side of the late 30s.

There followed a mediocre seven seasons in which the best league position the club could manage was fifth. There was even a flirtation with relegation in 1948.

But in 1951 they finally regained their winning ways with a victory in the Scottish Cup, followed, 2 years later, by success in the 1953 Final played 20th May 1953, a British tourney to celebrate the Queen's coronation. The Celts recorded victories over Arsenal and Manchester United, before beating Hibs in the final.

<>In Charlie Tully, Bertie Peacock and Jock Stein, signed in 1951, Celtic were not short of good players, but the club lacked organisation. Training solely consisted of running around the park. From Saturday to Saturday a football was never seen. Nor was McGrory for that matter. Tactics were also conspicuous by their absence.

<>In the light of this, the club's double success in 1954 was a huge surprise. The club also ended its League Cup hoodoo with victories in 1956 and 1957, the latter a notable 7-1 victory over Rangers.

[ GERS '57 ] But the club's success remained erratic, though McGrory may not have been the man to blame. Chairman Robert Kelly is thought to have made most of the team selections and, to his credit, his policy of pursuing youth in the late 50s threw up some future stars in the shape of Jimmy Johnstone, Tommy Gemmell and Billy McNeill.

But defeats in the 1961 and 1963 Scottish Cup finals, the 1964 League Cup final and in the European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1965 proved that good players were not enough at the top level.In 1957 Jock Stein took over Celtic's reserve team, when he had to retire after an ankle injury. He quickly placed an emphasis on tactics and ball control, before departing to coach Dunfermline. It was this modern approach to football management that Celtic desperately needed when they turned to Stein in 1965. The appointment proved a masterstroke.

< style="font-family: arial;">Jock Stein had an almost immediate impact on Celtic. Taking over the reins in March 1965, Stein led the club to Scottish Cup success in April, their first victory in the Cup for 11 years and their first trophy since 1958.

<> [ LISBON LIONS ] Over the next couple of seasons he began to develop a side that was the equal of any in Europe. Harnessing the players' undoubted individual talents into a superb team unit, Stein introduced tactical nous and professionalism to create a tough, fluent side committed to attacking football.

For the rest of the 60s and well into the 70s Celtic dominated the Scottish game, eclipsing even the success of the pre-World War One side.

[ EUROPEAN CUP ] In 1966 Celtic ended a 12-year barren spell in the league when they won the first of nine league titles in a row and also picked up the League Cup for good measure. The following season they completed a domestic treble, before facing perhaps their greatest test - the European Cup final.

Celtic's brilliant 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the National Stadium near Lisbon, proved a decisive blow against the stiflingly defensive catenaccio system which had been so influential in European football. Celtic's willingness and ability to attack continuously graced that final in a match even Inter's coach, Helenio Herrera, described as a "victory for sport".

[ 'LIONS LAST GAME ] European nights at Celtic Park became an integral part of each season in the late 60s, with fans enjoying memorable games against the likes of St Etienne, Red Star Belgrade, Benfica and in the 1970 European Cup semi-final, Leeds. Celtic won the battle of Britain, silencing their English critics, by beating Don Revie's uncompromising side in both legs. Unfortunately, that year they fell at the final hurdle, in an under-par performance against Dutch side Feyenoord.

A year later the Lisbon Lions played their final game together as Stein prepared to build a new team for a new decade.

<>Success and Celtic continued to be synonymous throughout the early 70s as Jock Stein brought in new faces to freshen up the Celtic Park side.

[ GEORGE CONNOLY ] Kenny Dalglish, Lou Macari, David Hay and George Connelly came to the fore as Celtic continued their league-winning run until 1974, claiming the double in 1971, 1972, when Dixie Deans scored the first hat trick in a Cup final since 1904 as Celtic demolished Hibs 6-1, and 74. There was also a League Cup victory in 1970.

Their record-breaking dominance of the league title finally came to an end in 1975 when they only finished third and rivals Rangers clinched the championship, but even then the Celts managed to nab both Cups that season.

European competition remained a great attraction for the fans, with a visit to Budapest in 1972 dwelling in the memory. Celtic beat Ujpset Dozsa 2-1 in what Mr Stein described as the best European display by the club since Lisbon. Celebrating afterwards, fans at a hotel in the city were entertained by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton who threw a post-match champagne and caviar party.

But the period also saw growing dissatisfaction among some of the players over pay. Celtic had always paid modestly, though throughout the 60s and early 70s players could always count on win bonuses. But younger members of the side, aware of what international team mates were earning in England, began to seek new opportunities offering more lucrative rewards. Lou Macari moved on to Manchester United in January 1973, and David Hay left for Chelsea the following year. A lengthy spell out due to injury left him struggling financially without the win bonuses. Even Kenny Dalglish submitted a transfer request in 1975, though he was later persuaded to resign for another two years. These problems were exacerbated by the car crash which nearly killed Stein and kept him out of the game for a year.

<>His return to the club in 1976 - was marked by another double winning season, but it was to prove the last success of the Stein era. In the summer of 1977 Dalglish departed, heading south to Liverpool, while Pat Stanton was seriously injured on the opening day of the 1977-78 season. He never played again for Celtic. An ankle injury in the seventh match of the season deprived Celtic of Danny McGrain and a depleted squad could only finish fifth in the league. At the end of the season Stein stepped down as manager and a glorious era came to the end.

Stein's successor Billy McNeill arrived at Celtic Park in August 1978. Dissatisfied with the players he inherited, he quickly began to build a new team, signing Davie Provan from Kilmarnock for a Scottish transfer record of £120,000. Murdo MacLeod was signed a week later and though form continued to fluctuate until Christmas, McNeill's new Celtic began to gel in the New Year. They went into their final game of the season against Rangers needing a win to take the title. In a dramatic game, Celtic emerged 4-2 victors.

As the 80s dawned, Celtic remained a major force in Scottish football. Under new pressure from the emerging 'New Firm' of Aberdeen and Dundee United, they still clinched the title in 1981 and 1982, the League Cup in 1982 and the Scottish Cup in 1980, though their 1-0 victory in that game was overshadowed by the rioting between rival fans after the match.

[ SPORTING LISBON ] Despite some notable scalps, including Ajax and, in 1983, Sporting Lisbon, European success remained frustratingly beyond the club, with Celtic's natural desire to play attacking football perhaps a little naive against the best in Europe.

The McNeill era was short-lived compared to his mentor and predecessor Jock Stein. Financial problems were once again instrumental in undermining the squad. Charlie Nicholas scored 46 goals in the 1982-83 season, yet was allowed to move to Arsenal in the close season. The Gunners were prepared to pay him five times what he was getting at Celtic Park. His departure was quickly followed by that of McNeill himself, after a dispute over pay and conditions.

Another former Celtic player David Hay assumed the managerial reins in July 1983, but the team's barren spell continued until 1985 when a 2-1 win over Dundee United in the centenary final of the Scottish Cup gave Hay his first trophy.

He added the League Championship to his tally the following season, after one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the competition. On the last day of the season Celtic had to win by five goals against Saint Mirren, while league leaders Hearts would have to lose to Dundee. Hearts topped the league before Christmas and remained there for the rest of the season, but astonishingly, they lost that last game 2-0, while Celtic cruised to a 5-0 win, stealing the title.

Hay wanted to strengthen the squad at the start of the next season, but no money was made available, a humbling contrast to the big money signings being made across the city as Graham Souness revitalised Rangers. Celtic's season was a disappointment, losing the League Cup final to Rangers and throwing away a 10 point lead in the league to the same side.

To make matters worse, players were unhappy. Mo Johnston put in a transfer request in the second half of the season, while Brian McClair and Murdo MacLeod were also unsettled. By the start of the next season McClair and Johnston had both left, as had Alan McInally, while Davie Provan had retired.

<>Hay himself also left the club, sacked by the board, who had asked Billy McNeill to return.

Billy McNeill's return to Celtic was marked by a major overhaul of the squad. Billy Stark, Andy Walker and Chris Morris joined Mick McCarthy, who had been signed by Hay just before he was sacked.

[ THE DOUBLE ] Pre-season omens for the 1987-88 season did not appear good, but it was to be a golden year for Celtic, going 31 games unbeaten and clinching the double in the club's centenary year.

A Scottish Cup final win over Rangers the following season could not disguise the feeling of anti-climax as Celtic finished third in the league and suffered a 5-1 drubbing from their Old Firm rivals in the process.

It was the beginning of a difficult period for the club. Despite more new signings, including Mike Galloway, Paul Elliott and Dariuz Dziekanowski, winning trophies seemed to be a lost skill for the Celts. McNeill continued in charge until 1991 when another barren season cost him his job.

His successor Liam Brady had two turbulent two years in charge, suffering humiliating defeats at the hands of Airdrie in the 1991 League Cup and Neuchatel Xamax of Switzerland in the UEFA Cup two months later.

At the same time Celtic was being attacked by supporters' groups, angry at the running of the club by the 'family dynasty' in the boardroom and the club's slowness to react to the Taylor Report of 1990 that demanded all-seater stadiums by the start of the 1994-95 season.

The board itself was divided. Brian Dempsey, appointed to the board in 1990, alongside Michael Kelly, proposed a new complex for the club in the Robroyston district of Glasgow, but he was opposed by Kelly and Chris White, the largest shareholder in the club.

Forced off the board, Dempsey was to prove a thorn in the club's side, culminating in a takeover bid in 1992 which split the board. The same year the club announced plans for another new ground, this time at Cambuslang, to be completed by 1994. Yet two years later work still had not been started and it became apparent that the club was in severe financial trouble.

[ FERGUS McCANN ] The fans' anger at events off and on the field continued, with "Sack the Board" a constant chant on the terraces, especially after it had turned down an indemnity group, led by businessman Fergus McCann, offering to invest £13.8m in the club in return for new shares. Brady resigned in October 1993 as Celtic continued to struggle and his replacement Lou Macari quickly alienated many of the players with his heavy-handed approach.

The club's woeful situation came to a head when the Bank of Scotland informed the club they had exceeded their £5m overdraft and it was ready to call in the receivers on Thursday 3rd March 1994.

The board finally agreed to sell the club to Fergus McCann, and he took control eight minutes before the club was declared bankrupt.

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The early years of the 1990s had been a miserable time for the club, jolted by poor performances on the field and major disruption in the boardroom.

But when Fergus McCann assumed overall control of the club in 1994, the club began to move in the right direction again.

Lou Macari was an early casualty of the new regime. McCann had never hidden his disapproval for the manager and Macari was sacked in June 1994. In his place the club turned to a man who could genuinely be said to have Celtic in his blood. Tommy Burns returned (at a cost of a £100,000 fine imposed by the Scottish Football League for alledged inducement) and began to build a new team worthy of the club's famous history.

A scouting network was set up to attract the best young players, while money was provided to strengthen the current squad. Burns quickly showed his eye for talent, adding Pierre van Hooijdonk and Andreas Thom to the team, while blooding young players with great prospects for the future, including Phil O'Donnell and Simon Donnelly. Burns also emphasised the importance of the club's fans and encouraged players to attend functions organised by supporters.

Off the field the new regime set out to make Celtic Park a stadium to match the team. In August 1995 the new North Stand was opened. This did mean the club had to play at Hampden for a season, but the improved facilities certainly seemed worth the sacrifice.

[ AIRDRIE CUP FINAL ] In January 1995 fans were able to buy shares in the club and they responded by buying nearly £14m worth, the most successful football flotation in Britain.

The feeling that the club was returning to its proper place in Scottish football was cemented by victory in the Scottish Cup final in 1995. Pierre van Hooijdonk scored the only goal of the game against Airdrie to clinch Celtic's 30th Scottish Cup victory and, perhaps more importantly, the club's first trophy in six years. It was a much needed win, easing the previous season's League Cup final defeat by Raith Rovers.

In season 1995/96 Celtic continued to improve and although no trophies were won the progress of the Club was considerable. The season ticket base rose to 29,500 and the team finished just 4 points below Rangers to end the season in second place. For the first time since 1988 Celtic were credible contestants in the league, developing an attractive flowing style football which attracted crowds in excess of 30,000 to every home match in season 1995/96.

[ TOMMY BURNS ] As the 1996/97 season began, Tommy Burns further strengthened his squad with new signings Paulo Di Canio and Alan Stubbs and there was a growing expectation that the new Celtic would become as notable team as any who have graced Celtic Park in the last 108 years.

Despite finishing second in the league, only one victory against the eventual winners Rangers would have seen Celtic champs. As well as qualifying for the Europe, reaching the quarter finals of the Coca-Cola Cup and the Semi-finals of the Scottish Cup major rebuilding work on the football pitch was also underway.

The East Stand was opened, costing around £6m, taking the stadium capacity to 50,170 seating a record 40,000 season book holders.

The season will probably be more remembered for the off-field events which saw considerable changes. Including Manager Tommy Burns, Assistant Manager Billy Stark, Directors, Willie Haughey and Dominic Keane, Paul McStay, Peter Grant, Pat Bonner, Pierre van Hooijdonk, Brian O'Neill and Chris Hay all departing the club for various reasons.

[ TOM BOYD ] Season 1997/98 saw a continental approach being adopted by Celtic Football Club with the appointment of Football General Manager, Jock Brown and Head Coach, Wim Jansen. An array of nine players joined the squad from both home and abroad for the start of the most exciting season in a decade.

The first trophy success of the season came on 30th November '97, when Celtic defeated Dundee United 3-0 at Ibrox to lift the Coca-Cola Cup.

The season culminated in Celtic winning the Premier League Championship on 9th May 1998 on the final day of the league. In front of a capacity crowd at Celtic Park, the team defeated St Johnstone 2-0 to bring the Championship Trophy back to Celtic Park for the first time in 10 years.

The end of the season however saw the departure of Wim Jansen and later in the year Jock Brown. The summer of 1998 brought the completion of the new Celtic Park. Following committed expenditure by Celtic of around £40m, the UK's largest club stadium has been created. Celtic Park now has some of the most modern facilities available with a capacity of over 60,000.

Season 1998/99 brought the appointment of Jozef Venglos as Head Coach. Four new players joined the team and some excellent football throughout the season, including the 5-1 defeat of Rangers on 5th November '98. Although the success of the previous year was not repeated, the team finished second in the league and made it to the final of the Scottish Cup in the new Hampden Park.

April '99 also saw the end of a Celtic era as Fergus McCann departed the club after a tremendous five years as Managing Director, and hand over the reigns to Allan MacDonald from 1st July '99.

No sooner was the season finished fans saw the return to Celtic Park of Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish, as Director of Football Operations. Jozef Venglos became European technical advisor - with ex-England internationalist John Barnes taking over as Head Coach.

[ CIS Insurance Cup Team ] After a great start to the season, no less than ten new players joined the first team squad for what looked to be a bright season. However after a run of bad results and being unable to beat rivals Rangers, John Barnes parted company in February. Kenny Dalglish took over the reigns as interim Head Coach. The departure of John Barnes also saw the return of Celtic hero Tommy Burns, who returned to assist Kenny Dalglish in coaching the first team.

Season 1999/00 culminated in the team winning the CIS Insurance Cup in March against Aberdeen, finishing second in the league and qualifying for European competition next season.

The current manager is enigmatic Irishman Martin O'Neill. In O'Neill's first season 2000/01, Celtic won the domestic treble of the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Cup, and the CIS Insurance Cup (the former Scottish League Cup). Celtic also recorded another memorable scoreline in the "Demolition Derby" match against Rangers, winning 6-2.

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In 2003 they reached the UEFA Cup final but lost at the hands of an extra-time goal by FC Porto, marking the first use of the new silver goal rule in competition. The final score in Seville was Porto 3-2 Celtic. At the game Celtic brought with them the biggest travelling army of fans ever seen in a European tournament. or possibly the world. Over 75,000 Celtic fans from throughout the world travelled to the city, and their spirit earned them a Fair Play award from FIFA. In 2004 they continued to prosper in the UEFA Cup, beating FC Barcelona 1-0 at Parkhead, on March 11th 2004, in what was to be one of their most famous victories. Two weeks later, under intense pressure they managed to hold Barcelona in the famous Camp Nou stadium to a 0-0 draw thus ensuring qualification to the quarterfinals. However, the Bhoys lost in the quarterfinals to another Spanish side, Villarreal CF (3-1 on aggregate). Celtic made up for this loss by winning their 39th League title and 32nd Scottish Cup.

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