Celtic Hoops

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Celtic played their first match on 28 May 1888, defeating Rangers 5–2. Their original kit was a white shirt with a green collar, black shorts, and emerald green socks. In 1903, the club adopted the green and white hoops that have been used ever since. The team achieved its greatest success under manager Jock Stein in the 1960s and 70s, winning nine consecutive league titles and becoming the first British team to win the European Cup in 1967 with a squad known as the 'Lisbon Lions'.

In Their Own Story

On 25 May 1967, Celtic defeated Inter Milan 2–1 at the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon. The players who won that match were all born within 30 miles of Glasgow. Decades later, in 2003, an estimated 80,000 fans travelled to Seville for the UEFA Cup final, earning Fair Play awards from FIFA and UEFA despite losing the match.

Reader's Guide

As of May 2026, Celtic holds 122 major honours, making them one of only seven clubs in the world with over 100 trophies. They have won the Scottish league championship a record 56 times, most recently in the 2025–26 season. The club also holds records for the Scottish Cup (43 wins) and the Scottish League Cup (22 wins). Their fierce rivalry with Rangers is known as 'The Old Firm'.

Did You Know?

• The unique spelling of 'Bhoys' with an extra 'h' imitates the Gaelic spelling system.
• Celtic holds a British goal-scoring record set by Jimmy McGrory, who scored 550 goals in 547 games.
• In 1957, Celtic defeated Rangers 7–1 in the Scottish League Cup final, the highest-scoring domestic cup final in British history.
• The 'Lisbon Lions' of 1967 were all born within 30 miles of Glasgow.
• Celtic reached the European Cup final in 1970 and the UEFA Cup final in 2003, losing both matches.