League Cups

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Celtic's reserve side, originally known as the Crusaders, dates back to the club's early days. By 1896, they participated in the Scottish Combination league, though manager Willie Maley later disbanded the team by the 1900s due to a small squad size. A resurgence occurred with the formation of the Scottish Alliance League in 1919; Celtic won the championship in 1921–22 before withdrawing for financial reasons. The side returned in 1930, securing three Alliance titles (1934, 1937, 1938) and two Second XI Cups (1935, 1936). This era produced key first-team players like Malky MacDonald and Johnny Crum. Notably, in 1936, trialist Mohammed Salim became the first footballer from the Indian sub-continent to play for a European club. The reserves also fielded a side in the Combined Reserve League from 1958 to 1966.

In Their Own Story

The mid-1960s produced the 'Quality Street Kids,' a reserve group that included Kenny Dalglish and Danny McGrain, who went on to win major honours. A defining moment occurred in August 1968 when Celtic reserves defeated Partick Thistle 12–0 to win their Reserve League Cup group section, with Lou Macari scoring four goals. That same year, the young Celtic side beat the Scotland national team 5–2 in a practice match. The peak of reserve dominance arrived in the 1970–71 season when Celtic won all three main honours: the league, the Reserve League Cup, and the Second XI Cup. They scored 157 goals that season, becoming the first reserve team in Scotland to win the treble. Under Jock Stein's coaching from 1957, future stars like Paddy Crerand and Billy McNeill emerged, with the reserves winning the Second XI Cup in 1958 by thrashing Rangers 8–2 on aggregate.

Reader's Guide

The reserve structure has undergone significant changes over time. In 1938, the Scottish Alliance League became exclusive to First Division reserve sides after non-league teams were removed. Post-World War II, the national Reserve League mirrored the top tier until 1975, when it reorganized into Premier and lower regional sections. The SPFL Development League replaced the reserve league in 1998, contested by Under-20 teams until 2018. In July 2018, reserve leagues were reintroduced with no age restrictions beyond a minimum of 16. Celtic subsequently withdrew from the top-tier SPFL Reserve League after one season to play challenge matches before entering a small league with other clubs. Since the 2021/22 season, Celtic B has competed in the Lowland Football League, the fifth tier of senior football.

Did You Know?

• Celtic's first known involvement in reserve league football was in the Scottish Combination league in 1896.
• In 1936, Mohammed Salim became the first footballer from the Indian sub-continent to play for a European club while trialing with Celtic reserves.
• During the 1970–71 season, Celtic reserves scored 157 goals and won the treble (league, Reserve League Cup, and Second XI Cup).
• In August 1968, Celtic reserves defeated Partick Thistle 12–0 to secure their Reserve League Cup group section.
• Celtic B began playing in the Lowland Football League (the fifth tier) in the 2021/22 season.