Celtic this evening posted a short statement on the club’s official website following the news today that the 96 year-old Queen Elizabeth II had died at her Balmoral residence. The club’s statement reads as follows:
“Celtic Football Club expresses its sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of the late Queen Elizabeth II following today’s announcement of her passing.”
The Queen of course visited Celtic Park on 23 July 2014 for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, where she was warmly received and had the opportunity to marvel at the Empire Exhibition Cup which Celtic won in 1938, the Corornation Cup which was won by the Hoops in 1953 and of course the European Cup which Celtic won in 1967, the first time that it had been on British shores.
The Coronation Cup was a one-off football tournament to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, between four English and four Scottish clubs, held in Glasgow in May 1953. This tournament, like the Empire Exhibition Trophy in 1938, was held in very high regard by football clubs, as at the time it allowed teams to test themselves against teams from another country in the days before European football.
Celtic and Hibernian met in the final at Hampden Park, Celtic coming out the winners 2–0 before 117,000 spectators.
Celtic’s victory meant that they became the unofficial champions of Britain.
All three trophies can be seen in the Celtic trophy cabinet when taking a tour of Celtic Park and alongside, among many other trophies such as the Scottish Premiership trophy, the League Cup and both the Women’s League Cup and Scottish Cup all won by Celtic sides last season.
News is expected tomorrow regarding any postponements to Scottish premiership and UEFA matches as a result of the Queen’s passing.
