Scottish League Cup Record Holders

Lore & Background

The competition had a straight knockout format but became a group and knockout competition from 2016–17. Historically, the League Cup has oscillated between being a straightforward single-elimination knockout tournament and having an initial group phase. Since the 2016–17 season, the League Cup has used a group phase format. The cup has its origins in a regional cup competition called the Southern League Cup which was introduced in 1940. The first official Scottish Football League Cup was contested during the 1946–47 season, when Rangers defeated Aberdeen in the final. From 1984–85 the tournament was revamped to a shorter, single elimination knock-out format. From that period Rangers became the dominant force in the competition having previously been roughly level with Celtic in terms of trophies, winning nine times in twelve years to increase their total to 20 before Celtic won their tenth in 1997–98.

In Their Own Story

The rain didn't just fall; it hammered against the Hampden stands, turning the pitch into a treacherous, slick canvas where green and white jerseys fought for every inch of traction. In the dying breaths of extra time, with lungs burning and legs heavy as lead, the scoreline remained a stubborn zero-zero stalemate. Then came the moment: a Celtic midfielder, eyes scanning through exhaustion, spotted a sliver of daylight in the defense. The pass was surgical, slicing through the opposition's resolve, and as the striker connected, the net rippled violently. The stadium didn't just cheer; it exploded. A sea of scarves erupted into the grey void, celebrating another chapter in a legacy written in Glasgow gold.

Reader's Guide

The format has eight groups of five teams playing each other once in a round-robin format. The forty teams playing in the group stage consist of the 38 league clubs who are not participating in UEFA competitions, along with two teams from outside the league. In the group phase, three points are given for a win and one point for a draw. If matches are level after ninety minutes, a penalty shoot-out is held with the winning team gaining a bonus point. The groups are regionalised: there are four groups in the North section, and four in the South section, with three pots for each regional section – top seeds, second seeds, and unseeded clubs. Each group will consist of one top seed, one second seed, and three unseeded clubs. The eight group winners and three best runners-up progress into the second round, where they are joined by the five clubs participating in UEFA competitions. The tournament then adopts a single-elimination knockout format. There are no replays, which means all drawn matches are decided by extra time and a penalty shootout, if necessary. The semi-final matches are played on a neutral ground, determined by the location and size of supports involved. The final game is traditionally played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, though due to renovations some finals have been played at other venues, such as Celtic Park or Ibrox Stadium.

Did You Know?

• St Mirren are the current holders, winning their 2nd title after beating Celtic 3–1 at Hampden Park on 14 December 2025.
• The domestic television rights are held by Premier Sports, who replaced BT Sport from the 2019–20 season.
• The trophy was donated on 15 January 1947 by long-term Clyde, and then Scottish Football League, chairman John McMahon.

Foundations of a Charity Club

Celtic Football Club originated not merely as a sporting entity but as a humanitarian mission to combat poverty within Glasgow's East End. Founded in November 1887 by Irish Marist Brother Walfrid, the organization was established at St. Mary's church hall with the specific goal of raising funds for his charity, the Poor Children's Dinner Table. Inspired by Hibernian's success in Edinburgh, Walfrid named the team 'Celtic' to honor its dual Irish and Scottish heritage. The club officially adopted the nickname 'The Bhoys,' a unique spelling reflecting Gaelic linguistic traditions. Their inaugural match took place on May 28, 1888, against rivals Rangers, resulting in a decisive 5–2 victory where Neil McCallum scored the historic first goal. Originally sporting white shirts with green collars and black shorts, the team quickly evolved its identity, moving to Celtic Park shortly after securing their first major trophy, the Scottish Cup, in 1892.

The Jock Stein Era and European Glory

The club's most transformative period occurred under manager Jock Stein, who took charge in 1965 and orchestrated a golden age of dominance. His tenure culminated in the legendary 1966–67 season, widely regarded as Celtic's greatest year. During this 'annus mirabilis,' the team achieved an unprecedented clean sweep by winning every competition they entered: the Scottish League Championship, the Scottish Cup, the League Cup, and the Glasgow Cup. Most significantly, they became the first British club to lift the European Cup, cementing their status on the global stage. This era of success followed a period of earlier dominance where the team secured six consecutive league titles between 1905 and 1910. Under Stein's leadership, Celtic also reached the 1970 European Cup final, further establishing themselves as a continental powerhouse before eventually falling in that contest.

Record-Breaking Honours and Domestic Dominance

Celtic stands as one of only seven clubs globally to have amassed over 100 major trophies, holding a staggering total of 122 honours as of May 2026. This tally represents the highest number for any European club and ranks second worldwide. Their domestic supremacy is particularly evident in their record-breaking achievements; they have secured the Scottish League Championship an unmatched 56 times, with their most recent title coming in the 2025–26 season. Furthermore, they hold the record for the Scottish Cup with 43 victories and have lifted the Scottish League Cup on 22 occasions. The club's historical prowess includes setting a league record for the highest home score with an 11–0 victory over Dundee in 1895. Additionally, Jimmy McGrory remains a legendary figure from their history, holding the British goal-scoring record with 550 goals scored across his sixteen-year career.

Global Fanbase and The Old Firm Rivalry

The club maintains a fierce, historic rivalry with Rangers, collectively known as 'The Old Firm,' producing matches considered among the world's most significant football derbies. This intense competition is matched by an extraordinary global support network; estimates from 2003 placed their fanbase at approximately nine million people worldwide, supported by over 160 official clubs in more than twenty nations. The loyalty of these supporters was famously demonstrated during the 2003 UEFA Cup final in Seville, where an estimated 80,000 fans traveled to support the team despite a defeat. Their conduct during this event was so exemplary that both FIFA and UEFA awarded them Fair Play honors for their 'extraordinarily loyal and sporting behaviour.' This deep connection between the club and its supporters underscores Celtic's identity as more than just a football team, serving as a global cultural symbol.