Scottish Cups

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The journey began on a historic day in 1892 when Celtic defeated Queen's Park 5–1 to secure their first major honour. This victory marked the start of a record-breaking run that would see the club lift the trophy a total of 43 times, more than any other team in history. The competition witnessed Celtic's unique ability to win the double for the first time by a Scottish club in both 1907 and 1908 under Willie Maley. Decades later, the trophy featured prominently during the annus mirabilis of 1966–67, where Jock Stein's team won every competition they entered, including the Scottish Cup, en route to becoming the first British side to win the European Cup. The cup also saw Celtic retain the League Cup in a 7–1 victory over Rangers in 1957, though that specific final was part of the League Cup, not the Scottish Cup itself.

In Their Own Story

Hampden Park has been the stage for Celtic's most defining moments in this competition. In 1892, a 5–1 thrashing of Queen's Park set the tone for a century of dominance. The pressure mounted during the mid-20th century as Jimmy McGrory led the side to success before Jock Stein arrived in 1965. Stein won the Scottish Cup in his first few months at the club, immediately followed by the League title, setting up the historic quadruple season of 1966–67. The narrative continued into the modern era with Martin O'Neill, who secured a domestic treble in his first season (2000–01), marking the first time this feat had been achieved since 1968–69. His final competitive game as manager ended in a 1–0 victory over Dundee United on 28 May 2005, decided by an eleventh-minute goal from Alan Thompson.

Reader's Guide

Celtic FC holds the record for the most Scottish Cup wins by any club, with 43 titles secured as of May 2026. This tally stands in stark contrast to their 56 league championships and 22 League Cups. The first victory came in 1892 against Queen's Park, establishing a tradition that has seen the team win the cup multiple times across different eras. Notable achievements include being the first Scottish club to win the domestic double in consecutive years (1907 and 1908). While the source does not list every single winning year, it confirms the total count of 43, highlighting the club's sustained excellence. The competition remains a vital part of Celtic's identity, alongside their rivalry with Rangers and their status as one of only seven clubs globally to win over 100 trophies.

Did You Know?

• Celtic was the first Scottish club to win the domestic double, achieving it in both 1907 and 1908.
• The 1966–67 season saw Celtic win the Scottish Cup as part of a unique quadruple (League, Scottish Cup, League Cup, Glasgow Cup).
• Celtic's first major honour came in 1892 with a 5–1 victory over Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup final.
• Martin O'Neill won a domestic treble in his first season (2000–01), the first time this had happened since 1968–69.