Author: Matthew Marr

Some names stand out in Celtic history as a recognition of that player’s performances. However, others are memorable because they have appeared more than once… One example has had three different men with the same title represent the Celts – not all connected by blood – and each with their own fascinating experiences. This is the story of Celtic’s ‘hat trick’ of John Divers… CELTIC’S JOHN DIVERS – THE FIRST ONE The first of these goes back to Celtic’s earliest days. John Divers, born 19 January 1874 in the Calton, was one of Celtic’s notable forwards in that era. Raised…

55 years ago (21 September 1971), a major figure in Celtic’s history died… Robert Kelly was a man who never played for the Celts but dominated the club off the field. He is just one example of the many Kellys who have been synonymous with the Celtic story… The first Kelly with Celtic connections is arguably the most significant. In the 1880s, James Kelly was one of Scotland’s most renowned players. He became part of the first XI to represent the Bhoys and was said to be the first player to sign for the club too. As well as scoring…

After weeks of speculation, it’s been confirmed that a series of five Oasis concerts will take place next year at Celtic Park… This is perhaps no great surprise. At various times, the band’s Gallagher brothers have been guests at the ground, with their music reverberating around the stadium, perhaps most famously after beating Rangers 6-2 in 2000. This is a reminder that Celtic Park has been used for multiple purposes in its time, including other sports, religious gatherings and music shows too. The Bhoys’ current home location first opened in 1892. From the very start, it was a venue designed…

125 years ago (in September 1901), there was the beginnings of one of Celtic’s strangest trophy stories… The Bhoys lost a prize that they would later come to display at Celtic Park, despite this having Rangers name engraved as the competition’s winners! This is the story of Celtic and the 1901 Exhibition Cup… Celtic’s path toward the 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition Cup can be traced back to the club’s earliest days. Formed in 1887 – before first playing the following year – Celtic immediately became involved in different football tournaments. Their first competitive matches came in the Glasgow Exhibition Cup…

95 years ago today, a footballing tragedy occurred at Ibrox… Tragedy is one of football’s most misused words. Generally it is discussed when referring to defeats or conceding a goal, moments which do not truly warrant such a solemn phrase. On 5 September 1931, there was no misuse of the word. On that day, Celtic’s legendary goalkeeper John Thomson lost his life. In fact, it can be argued that two lives were ended that day. John Thomson was born on 28 January 1909. Despite popular belief, this was in Kirkcaldy. But in his first year of life, the family moved…

Celtic trying to shut down the women’s team? It certainly looks that way… Next year will mark 20 years since the establishment of Celtic’s women’s team. However, it’s worth asking if the club truly cares about this any more. For the 2026-27 season, the Ghirls’ team has moved its games to the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex. This is the third home in the past three years, following New Douglas Park in Hamilton and the Excelsior ground in Airdrie. Constantly shifting these venues does nothing to build a support, with fans being unsure where they will be going. Match-going is often…

Next March, Celtic fans have the chance to learn more about the life of club founder Brother Walfrid with a new play telling his story… Running from 11-14 March 2027, ‘Walfrid – The Founding Father’ will describe Walfrid’s many experiences, punctuated by songs and music. It will take place at Cottier’s in Glasgow’s west end. The play covers all stages of the Irishman’s life, from his childhood in Sligo as Andrew Kerins through to his time in Glasgow and elsewhere as a Marist Brother, most notably helping establish Celtic Football Club. Numerous accounts of Celtic history have shaped the play’s…

70 years ago today (11 August 1956), one Celtic player made his debut before departing two years later. Yet in that short time, he wrote himself into club folklore. To this day, songs continue to be sung about his time in green-and-white… And even after his death, he continues to have an influence in modern day sporting discussions concerning the health and safety of footballers. This is the story of Billy McPhail, scorer of arguably the most famous Celtic hat-trick of them all. William Simeon McPhail – more simply and better known as Billy – was born in the north…

35 years ago today (10 August 1991), Liam Brady’s time as Celtic boss got properly underway. It was an exciting introduction that seemed to echo his on-field footballing abilities, giving the promise of a very bright future… Liam Brady’s time at Celtic is remembered for a lack of success Sadly, these early hopes were to fade, and Brady’s time in charge in Glasgow’s east end is remembered for a lack of success, one that was overshadowed by off-field events at Celtic Park. As a footballer, Liam Brady was an outstanding talent. He was born 13 February 1956 in Dublin, Ireland,…

The year 1318 hardly stands out as one of the most significant in world history, although those interested in the Scottish Wars of Independence may be interested in some events. But for Celtic this season, the numbers 13 and 18 could yet have real significance, not least the latter number. As we enter season 2026-27, Callum McGregor and James Forrest have their own scoring records to beat, and in Forrest’s case, it would make club history. So far, Callum McGregor has managed to score in 12 consecutive seasons for the Celts. This puts him level with 1960s legends John Hughes…

It is well-known that Celtic had strong religious influences in their early days. 75 years ago today (1 August 1951), you can argue that another holy connection once gave Celtic an important tournament victory… Saint Mungo is famously the patron saint of Glasgow. In the Parkhead trophy room is a prize in his name that the Celts won in the 1950s. Football competitions were often held as part of national exhibitions and events. Celtic had enjoyed victory in the 1938 Empire Exhibition Cup and also reached the finals of the 1888 and 1901 Glasgow Exhibition tournaments. In 1951, the Festival…

Billy Connolly used to tell a joke where he questioned how anyone could possibly own Scotland’s lochs, mountains and forests. It’s doubtful that many UEFA delegates have given much thought to the ‘Big Yin’ – but they perhaps should do… And many of these same issues have been of great relevance to Celtic, both in the club’s foundational years and also in the modern era too Following plans announced by FIFA to effectively sell off the World Cup, European nations have threatened to boycott future World Cups. This raises numerous questions about who owns not just football but also football…

55 years ago today, 27 July 1971, the life of one celebrated Celt came to an end… Some truly iconic Celtic figures have been known by simply one name: Cesar, Jinky, Patsy and Henrik being some such examples. However, this player was often remembered by his three formal names: Charles Patrick Tully, or more plainly, Charlie Tully. An iconic Celt in the in the 1950s, involved in numerous club and personal achievements, this is his story… On 11 July 1924, Tully was born into a large working‑class family in Belfast. His family faced poverty problems, including when his father lost…

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…

As you may know, Celtic has submitted plans to build a “multi-use games area” next to Celtic Park. Located at the west side of the ground, the pitch would be available for local youngsters to use free of charge… The proposed new games area has gone to Glasgow City Council for planning permission. The sports pitch will be run by the Celtic Foundation. Access will be free for local children. You can get full details HERE. This will continue a tradition in the area surrounding Celtic Park. Over the years, there’s been numerous pitches close to the Bhoys’ home venue.…

England’s World Cup win over Norway has been overshadowed by complaints about the ball hitting an overhead wire. It’s a controversy nothing new to Celtic… Believe it or not, this was a problem the Celts faced going back to the 1800s. In the modern era, cameras on wires sit on top of pitches. This creates the potential that the ball might come into contact with the wire. In those circumstances, play is supposed to be stopped by the referee. The England controversy was about whether or not the ball did indeed strike the cable. 1959 was the first year that…

45 years ago, Celtic completed their own Olympic Challenge… This is the story of Celtic’s first visit to each of these locations… EUROPE Of course, the first continent in which Celtic played was Europe. The club’s playing experiences began in Glasgow’s east end in May 1888 with a 5-2 win over the side that would become their great rivals, Rangers. However, football was not simply a Scottish affair. Celtic’s first experience of this involved English team Mitchell St George’s coming to Celtic Park on Hogmanay 1888 and losing 7-1. By the following February, Celtic were ready to play outside of…

FIFTY years ago, Celtic fans came together to celebrate the careers of two club legends. It ended up being an even more poignant and significant moment than had been planned… On 17 May 1976, Manchester United travelled north to Glasgow. They did so as Celtic’s opponents in a testimonial game being held for Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Lennox. To say the least, Johnstone and Lennox are revered as two of the most important names in Celtic’s history. Jimmy Johnstone  Jimmy Johnstone spent 13 years in the Hoops and became one of the club’s most influential players. As a member of…

With the World Cup now well underway, stadia across the United States, Canada and Mexico has been in use… Of the 16 venues which are being used in this tournament, five of them have hosted the Celts at some time in the past, albeit sometimes under different names. Two of these are in Canada, two are in the United States and one is in Mexico, with that particular ground being arguably the most famous of them all. Canada In Canada, the two venues where Celtic have played are both in Toronto. In June 1985, fresh from Scottish Cup final glory…

Celtic sailed home on 1 July 1931, satisfied with a job well done and an army of new North American fans… They travelled on the Transylvania. In a strange echo of the Caledonia – on which Celtic had journeyed to the US – the Transylvania was requisitioned as a war vessel and also sunk in 1940… Jimmy McGrory’s motor boat detour to his own wedding  As with the outward journey, so too the Celts made an Irish stop en route back to Glasgow. This time however they returned with one less player. Jimmy McGrory was taken by motor boat from…