All eyes will tonight be on New York as the World Cup Final takes place. Over the decades, there have been various Celtic connections to this stage of the world’s most famed sporting contest…
One notable link related to former boss, Wim Jansen. His record placed him amongst the game’s elite. As well as winning the European Cup in 1970 (defeating Celtic) he also played in two World Cup Finals, 1974 and 1978, although twice ended up on the losing team.
These achievements once highlighted the often parochial nature of Scotland’s media. At a Celtic press conference he was asked if an upcoming game versus Rangers was the biggest match of his career. With some incredulity he answered by pointing out other events in which he had played!
Jansen is not the only person associated with Celtic to have experienced a World Cup Final. As well as Celtic’s former manager, the most obvious and tangible connections are Celtic players that have played in such finals.
The only person to have played in a cup final when (technically) a Celtic player is Edson Braafheid. The Dutch player came on during the 2010 final, although his team lost out to Spain. Braafheid was on Celtic’s books for a matter of months in 2010, signing as a February loan from Bayern Munich and staying until the summer, when he then went straight to the World Cup.
Another Celt had played in – and won – the World Cup Final before coming to the club. Juninho was a key part of Brazil’s 2002 winning team, and came on as a substitute in the final. The Brazilian was at Celtic from 2004-05, during Martin O’Neill’s reign. He was clearly skilful and had some good games – including versus Rangers – but generally had an unsuccessful time.
There is another ‘Celt’ to have World Cup Final experience, even if he only played once for the team. Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton obviously won the 1966 World Cup with England. He played for Celtic in a 1974 testimonial game for Ron Yeats of Liverpool.
Celtic have also acted as opposition for various testimonial matches for World Cup winners. From the 1966 England team, the Bhoys have featured in tribute games held for Bobby and Jack Charlton, as well as Bobby Moore.
Off the park, some Celtic people have been involved in a World Cup Final. Arriving in 2007, Gregory Dupont was Celtic’s head of Sports Science for two years. He then became Head of Performance for France when they won the 2018 World Cup.
In addition to all of this, numerous World Cup winners (or beaten finalists) have come to Celtic Park whilst playing for other teams, especially in European competitions.
In recent times this includes Kylian Mbappe (France, winner 2018), Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich (Germany, winner 2014) as well as Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, all of Barcelona (Spain, winners 2010).
In terms of tonight’s game, Lionel Messi is looking to win a second successive World Cup. He has won, lost and scored at Celtic Park. The Argentinian once described the Bhoys’ ground as having “the best atmosphere in Europe.”
Further back, other World Cup legends have graced the Parkhead turf. Johan Cruyff came on different occasions with Ajax; like Wim Jansen he played in the 1974 final.
Lothar Matthaus won the World Cup with Germany in 1990, and also turned out at Celtic Park for Bayern Munich in Peter Grant’s 1997 testimonial.
Another Celtic opponent with World Cup final experience was Sandro Mazzola. The Italian scored a penalty when Celtic won the 1967 European Cup; he later lost the 1970 World Cup Final.
Some other notable people have visited the ground, albeit not when playing.
Famously this includes Diego Maradona (winner 1986, runner-up 1990) who attended a training session for the Argentina national team at Parkhead, before his national side played Scotland in a friendly. Bayern Munch President Franz Beckenbauer (winner 1974, runner-up 1966) also praised Celtic Park when he watched his team in a 2003 Champions League match.
Celtic have had experience playing in different stadia which have hosted World Cup Finals. This includes the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (1990 final), Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid (1982 final) and the Olympiastadion in Munich (1974 final).
Tonight’s final is being held at the MetLife stadium, home of the New York Giants. Celtic have not played at this ground but have gone to the American Football team’s previous home, the Giants Stadium.
In addition to all of this, going back to the 1800s, there is another Celtic connection to being the world’s ‘top side’. From the 1870s to the 1900s, games took place between the winners of the Scottish Cup and English FA Cup. Some of these matches were billed as being to crown the “Champions of the World.”
In 1888, Renton won this title after beating West Bromwich Albion. Two of the Renton players would go on to be significant players in Celtic’s history: James Kelly (first captain and later chairman) and Neil McCallum (first goalscorer). Also, James McCall, who scored for Renton that day, played and scored for Celtic at different times in friendly matches.
In 1896, Celtic beat Aston Villa (who were the league champions in their respective countries) played an exciting match at Celtic Park that the Bhoys won 3-2. This made Celtic International League champions, based on pre-match publicity anyway.
Some Celtic fans have complained that the club is not doing enough to get ready for the coming season when it comes to signing new players. Others have excused the Board’s inaction, saying that they are waiting for the World Cup to be over.
So next season, look at for new faces in the hoops such as Yamal, Rodri and Alvarez. Well, maybe…
Matthew Marr
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