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The History of Celtic FC: From 1887 to the Modern Era

1887–1899: The foundation of Glasgow Celtic

Celtic Football Club was founded on 6 November 1887 by Brother Walfrid, a Marist religious brother who wanted to establish a football club that could raise money for charitable purposes. His initiative was closely connected to the needs of Glasgow’s impoverished Irish immigrant community, particularly in the city’s east end. The club was intended to generate funds to help alleviate poverty, making charitable support central to its original purpose.

The first formal meeting associated with the club’s formation took place in St Mary’s Church hall in the Calton district of Glasgow. Celtic played their first competitive match on 28 May 1888, defeating Rangers 5–2 in a friendly. The early years saw the club develop its playing identity, attract supporters and establish itself within the growing Scottish football scene.

Celtic won their first major trophy, the Scottish Cup, on 9 April 1892. They defeated Queen’s Park 5–1 at Ibrox, securing an important milestone in the club’s development. The following season, 1892–93, Celtic won their first Scottish league championship. These achievements helped establish the Hoops as a serious force in Scottish football.

The club moved to its current home, Celtic Park, in 1892. The stadium has since become one of the most recognisable football grounds in Scotland and a focal point for generations of supporters. During the closing years of the nineteenth century, Celtic continued to build a competitive team and strengthen its place in Glasgow’s sporting culture.

1900–1919: Willie Maley and the first golden age

The early twentieth century brought an extraordinary period of domestic success under manager Willie Maley, who had been appointed in 1897. Celtic won six consecutive Scottish league championships from 1904–05 through to 1909–10, demonstrating remarkable consistency in an increasingly competitive football environment.

The team also enjoyed success in the Scottish Cup, winning the competition in 1907, 1908, 1911, 1912 and 1914. The 1907 Scottish Cup triumph was particularly notable because Celtic became the first club to win the Scottish league championship and Scottish Cup in the same season, completing the domestic double.

Further league titles followed during the 1910s. Celtic won four consecutive championships from 1913–14 to 1916–17, although the First World War significantly affected football and wider British society. League competition continued in Scotland during the war, unlike in England, where the Football League suspended its regular competitions.

This era helped create the foundations of Celtic’s reputation as a successful club. Maley’s long tenure, lasting until 1940, connected the team’s early achievements with a wider institutional identity built around continuity, competitive ambition and loyal support.

1920–1959: Records, great goalscorers and post-war challenges

The inter-war period brought both memorable achievements and difficult seasons. Celtic continued to compete for domestic honours, winning the Scottish Cup in 1923, 1925, 1927, 1931, 1933 and 1937. The club’s history during these decades featured talented players, large crowds and a growing sense of tradition around Celtic Park.

One of the most significant figures of the period was Jimmy McGrory, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers in British football history. McGrory scored prolifically for Celtic and established himself as a defining player of the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1935–36 season, he scored 50 league goals, a club record for league goals in a single season that remains a remarkable statistical achievement.

Celtic also experienced a landmark occasion in 1938, when a record league attendance of 92,000 watched the team play Rangers at Celtic Park. Such a crowd illustrated the extraordinary popularity of football in Glasgow and the scale of the Old Firm rivalry during this period.

In 1939, the outbreak of the Second World War again disrupted normal football across Britain. Competitive football was affected by wartime restrictions, travel difficulties and the demands of national service. After the war, Celtic worked to rebuild their competitive strength, although sustained success did not immediately return.

A major highlight arrived in the 1953–54 season, when Celtic won the Scottish league championship and Scottish Cup. The double provided a reminder of the club’s potential and helped set the stage for the transformation that would take place during the following decade.

1960–1974: Jock Stein and the legendary Lisbon Lions

The appointment of Jock Stein as Celtic manager in March 1965 marked a turning point. Stein had previously played for Celtic and had gained managerial experience elsewhere in Scottish football. He quickly built a side capable of challenging domestically and in Europe, combining tactical organisation with attacking ambition.

Celtic won the Scottish Cup in 1965, Stein’s first major trophy as manager. The league championship followed in 1965–66, and the club’s progress accelerated dramatically in the 1966–67 season. Celtic won the Scottish league championship, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and European Cup, alongside the Glasgow Cup, completing an extraordinary collection of honours.

The defining moment arrived on 25 May 1967 at the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon, Portugal. Celtic faced Inter Milan in the European Cup final. Inter, managed by Helenio Herrera, were renowned for their defensive approach, known as catenaccio. Celtic fell behind when Sandro Mazzola scored from the penalty spot in the seventh minute, but they continued to attack.

Tommy Gemmell equalised in the 63rd minute with a powerful shot, before Stevie Chalmers scored the winning goal in the 84th minute. Celtic triumphed 2–1 and became the first British club to win the European Cup, the competition now known as the UEFA Champions League.

The victorious side became known as the Lisbon Lions. Remarkably, every player in the 1967 European Cup-winning team had been born within 30 miles of Celtic Park. Captain Billy McNeill lifted the trophy, while players such as Jimmy Johnstone, Bobby Lennox, Bobby Murdoch, Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers became enduring figures in Celtic folklore.

Stein’s team continued to dominate Scottish football. Celtic won nine consecutive league championships from 1965–66 to 1973–74, a run that remains central to the club’s historical identity. They also reached another European Cup final in 1970, losing 2–1 after extra time to Feyenoord in Milan. Their European performances during this period established Celtic as a major force beyond Scotland.

1975–1989: New generations and dramatic domestic triumphs

After the departure of several Lisbon Lions from regular first-team duty, a new generation emerged. Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain, Davie Hay and other talented players helped Celtic remain competitive under Stein. The club continued winning domestic trophies, including the Scottish league championship and Scottish Cup.

Stein left the managerial position in 1978 and was succeeded by Billy McNeill, the former captain of the Lisbon Lions. McNeill’s first season in charge produced one of Celtic’s most dramatic league victories. On 21 May 1979, Celtic faced Rangers in their final league match of the season, needing a result to secure the championship.

Celtic won 4–2 despite having Johnny Doyle sent off. The match became known as the occasion when ten men won the league, and it remains one of the most celebrated moments in the club’s domestic history.

The 1980s brought further league and cup success, including championship victories in 1980–81, 1981–82, 1985–86 and 1987–88. The 1987–88 campaign was particularly significant because Celtic celebrated their centenary with a league and Scottish Cup double under manager Billy McNeill.

The centenary season united the club’s history with its contemporary ambitions. Supporters celebrated the achievements of earlier generations while watching a successful team led by players including Paul McStay. Celtic’s 1988 Scottish Cup victory over Dundee United secured the double and provided an appropriate sporting celebration of the club’s hundredth anniversary.

1990–1999: Financial difficulties and a title-deciding finale

The early 1990s were challenging years for Celtic. The club experienced financial difficulties, inconsistent performances and growing pressure to restore its former standing. A period of instability eventually led to a major change in ownership and management in 1994, when businessman Fergus McCann became a key figure in the club’s restructuring.

The changes included financial reorganisation and redevelopment of Celtic Park. The old stadium was transformed into a modern all-seater ground, with major redevelopment work carried out during the 1990s. The project helped provide a stronger commercial and sporting foundation for the future.

On the pitch, Celtic won the Scottish Cup in 1995, ending a six-year wait for a major trophy. However, the league championship remained elusive during most of the decade as Rangers enjoyed a prolonged period of domestic success.

The 1997–98 season brought a decisive breakthrough. Under manager Wim Jansen, Celtic signed Swedish striker Henrik Larsson and strengthened the squad for a sustained title challenge. The team won the Scottish league championship in 1997–98, ending Rangers’ run of nine consecutive titles and preventing their rivals from achieving ten in a row.

The title was a landmark moment for Celtic supporters. It restored the club’s position at the summit of Scottish football and demonstrated the importance of long-term planning, effective recruitment and strong performances under pressure.

2000–2009: Martin O’Neill, Henrik Larsson and European ambition

The appointment of Martin O’Neill as manager in 2000 ushered in another successful era. Celtic won the domestic treble in 2000–01, securing the Scottish league championship, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup. Henrik Larsson was central to the team’s success, becoming one of the most influential forwards in the club’s modern history.

Larsson’s goalscoring record, movement and technical ability made him a fan favourite. His contribution extended beyond domestic competitions, and his performances in Europe helped Celtic regain prominence on the continental stage.

The club won additional league titles in 2001–02, 2003–04 and 2005–06, while O’Neill’s team made a memorable run to the 2003 UEFA Cup final. Celtic faced José Mourinho’s Porto in Seville on 21 May 2003. The match finished 2–2 after normal time, but Porto won 3–2 after extra time. Despite the defeat, thousands of travelling Celtic supporters created an extraordinary atmosphere in Spain, and the campaign became a defining European adventure for the club.

Gordon Strachan succeeded O’Neill in 2005 and continued Celtic’s domestic success. The team won three consecutive league championships from 2005–06 to 2007–08 and reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League in consecutive seasons in 2006–07 and 2007–08. These achievements demonstrated the club’s capacity to compete consistently in Scotland while testing itself against Europe’s leading teams.

2010–2019: Domestic dominance and the Treble Treble

Celtic entered the 2010s with renewed ambition. Under Neil Lennon, the club won the Scottish league championship in 2011–12 and 2012–13. One of the standout moments of the period came in November 2012, when Celtic defeated Barcelona 2–1 in the UEFA Champions League group stage at Celtic Park. Goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt secured a famous victory against a side containing some of the world’s leading players.

Celtic also reached the last 16 of the Champions League in 2012–13, beating Barcelona at home and recording a 3–2 aggregate victory over the Spanish side in the group stage overall. The club continued to dominate domestically, winning the league title in 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16.

Brendan Rodgers took charge in 2016 and led Celtic to an unbeaten domestic campaign in 2016–17. The team won the league, Scottish Cup and League Cup, completing the domestic treble without losing a domestic match throughout the season. Celtic then won further trebles in 2017–18 and 2018–19, becoming the first Scottish men’s team to win three consecutive domestic trebles.

The club secured a fourth consecutive treble in 2019–20, a season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Celtic were awarded the league championship after the competition was curtailed, having been top of the table when the season was ended. Their Scottish Cup victory in December 2020 completed the historic Treble Treble: three consecutive seasons of winning all three major domestic trophies, followed by a fourth consecutive treble-winning campaign overall.

2020 onwards: Renewed challenges and continued success

The 2020–21 season proved difficult, as Celtic’s run of nine consecutive league championships came to an end. Rangers won the title, prompting a period of reflection and rebuilding at Celtic Park. Ange Postecoglou was appointed manager in 2021 and quickly reshaped the team, introducing an energetic style and recruiting players who made a major impact.

Celtic won the Scottish League Cup in 2021–22 and reclaimed the league championship that season. In 2022–23, Postecoglou’s side won the league, Scottish Cup and League Cup, completing another domestic treble. The campaign reinforced the club’s ability to rebuild after setbacks and return to trophy-winning form.

Postecoglou left for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, and Brendan Rodgers returned as manager. Celtic won the Scottish league championship in 2023–24 and 2024–25, continuing their strong domestic record. The club also won the Scottish Cup in 2024 and 2026, adding further milestones to an already extensive collection of honours.

Celtic’s history is therefore not simply a list of trophies. It is a story of charitable beginnings, legendary managers, outstanding goalscorers, European achievement, financial challenges and generations of devoted supporters. From Brother Walfrid’s original vision in 1887 to the modern spectacle of Celtic Park, Glasgow Celtic remain a major force in Scottish football and a club whose past continues to shape its ambitions for the future.