With the resurrection of a nostalgic old football tournament this weekend, those of you of a certain age will remember the original version which was a popular one back in the 80s and 90s…
It’s the Tennent’s sixes tournament, and for the younger generation who will not remember, it was a six-a-side tournament played out by Scottish Premier League clubs over a January weekend and broadcast on Scottish TV.
The rebooted version will be battled out between former pros who once played for their respective clubs, but back in the day it was first team players who took part in the popular tournament.
Celtic’s sole win was in 1992 beating st Johnstone 4-2 in the final and for a young kid like me it was a big moment as you didn’t see much silverware handed out to Celtic in those days so any trophy was seen as a success!
The Tennent’s Sixes started in 1984 and ran until 1993 with Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen being the most successful clubs with two wins a piece. Dundee, Hibs, Partick thistle, and of course Celtic, were also winners. Partick Thistle were the last winners in 1993 and still have the trophy in their cabinet to this day.
The tournament was hosted in the SECC apart from the first two tournaments which were held in Falkirk and Edinburgh. It usually consisted of ten premier league teams and strangely enough which I didn’t know until recently, both Manchester City and Nottingham forest who were invited in 1985 & 1988 respectively.
Rangers 1872 were absent for the past couple of years of the tournament, and the rumours were it was something to do with them being sponsored by rival McEwans or that it was the sectarian singing of their fans that was heard loud and clear on television coming from the indoor arena. It was perhaps a bit of both.
Basically it was two groups of five teams who played each other once and the top two from each group advanced to the knockout rounds. Games were two halves of seven and a half minutes and two halves of ten in the knockouts.
🔢 Some familiar faces back in the Hoops across the weekend! 🤩
🔗 – https://t.co/q0Dghhonja#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/Rt7T1TUQvU
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 3, 2026
Teams had a group of twelve and were allowed unlimited substitutes. There was even a sin bin if a player was booked, and they would spend two minutes there. All very American, even the crowd was all basketball like counting down when time was running out.
It was well attended with up to five thousand fans flocking to the Exhibition Centre, and it will be interesting to see if the present version attracts a good crowd.
🗓️ Today’s schedule at the Tennent’s Sixes!
There’s still time to join us at Braehead Arena👇
🔗 – https://t.co/q0Dghhonja
#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/RbwK3GcSca— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 3, 2026
With no club football until next weekend, it could well prove to be a popular draw
Celtic are placed in group C alongside Kilmarnock, St Mirren, and the Rangers who will be looking for their first ever win in the Tennent’s sixes.
Aiden McGeady, Charlie Mulgrew, Simon Donnelly, Joe Ledley, Barry John Corr, Jonny Hayes, Derek Riordan, Gary Hooper, and Glenn Loovens, will be pulling on the Hoops once again for the indoor tournament which starts today and will conclude tomorrow.
Best of luck to our old Bhoys.
COYBIG!
🏟️ Sixes Matchday!
The Tennent’s Sixes returns today, with Tom Boyd leading a squad of fan favourites at Braehead Arena 🙌
#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/d8e4QM9CnZ— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 3, 2026
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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