Praising Ten of Celtic’s All-Time Legends

Celtic Football Club Legends: Praising Ten of the Best…

On the road to Lisbon
On the road to Lisbon

Celtic Football Club is a club like no other. It is a living legend of Scottish football, whose unbroken history includes more than 135 years of glorious victories and unforgettable moments. Founded in 1887 in Glasgow, the club has come to symbolise not only sporting achievements but also the cultural heritage of Scotland’s Irish community. Throughout its rich history, Celtic have nurtured many outstanding footballers, each of whom has made an invaluable contribution to the club.

26 May 1967
26/05/67 CELTIC PARK – The Lisbon Lions parade the European Cup at Parkhead after Celtic’s famous victory over Inter Milan.

From the legendary Lisbon Lions, who won the European Cup in 1967, to modern day heroes, they have all built Celtic’s unique character based on a passion for the game and an unwavering devotion to the green and white colours. Their inspired play delighted Celtic fans as much as modern gambling enthusiasts are delighted by winning at polskie kasyno online. In the article below, we take a look at ten of our greatest players to have ever donned a Celtic shirt and had a huge impact on the club’s development. We could have named fifty or even a hundred as there are so many legends to choose from.

Jimmy McGrory

Classic McGrory diving header
Classic McGrory diving header photo against Aberdeen from the Celtic Wiki

Opening our list is the legendary Jimmy McGrory, a man whose name is forever inscribed in golden letters in the history of not only Celtic, but also world football. Born in 1904 in Garngad, Glasgow, McGrory started his footballing journey at a humble club called St. Rochs, from where he headed to Celtic in 1922 for the token sum of £500.

What followed can be described as one of the most impressive careers in the annals of football history. In 15 seasons at Celtic, McGrory set a phenomenal record, striking the opposition 522 times in 501 official games. This figure still remains unrivalled in British football. Particularly impressive is the fact that all the goals were scored with his head or feet – in those days penalty kicks were taken by other players in the team.

Jimmy’s ability to find the moment to strike and incredible goal sense made him a real nightmare for goalkeepers of the time. A notable incident occurred against Dunfermline Athletic in 1928, when McGrory scored eight goals in one game – a record that still stands.

With Celtic, McGrory won three league titles and five Scottish Cups. After the end of his football adventure in 1937, he coached Kilmarnock for a while, and then returned to Celtic as manager, where he spent the next 20 seasons.

Jimmy Johnstone

Jimmy Johnstone in Lisbon
25.05.1967: Photoimago/Kicker/Metelmann. Jimmy Johnstone (Celtic Glasgow)

Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone is without doubt one of the most technical and elegant players to ever play football. The future legend was born in 1944 in Glasgow. Jimmy joined the club’s youth academy at the age of 13 and signed his first professional contract in 1961, starting the journey to becoming a true legend.

Johnston earned the nickname ‘Jinky’  for his unique style of play. His virtuoso ball possession, lightning-fast feints and elusiveness in beating defensive players single-handedly delighted Celtic supporters, and his opponents – in despair. Especially memorable was the match against Rangers in 1967, when Johnstone literally danced with the ball, time after time beating the Rangers defenders time and again.

Jimmy became a key figure in the legendary team ‘Lisbon Lions’, which in 1967 won the European Cup and Jimmy played his part in that iconic match helping to overcoming Inter’s famous defensive tactics of ‘catenaccio’. With Celtic, Jimmy Johnstone won nine league titles, six Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups. The elusive winger played 513 games for the club, scoring 130 goals – an impressive tally for an extreme midfielder.

His virtuoso play inspired a generation of players, and fans still remember his performances as a benchmark of footballing art. In 2006 the football world said goodbye to Jimmy Johnstone, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of Celtic fans and his statue at Celtic Park commemorates a great ball master whose talent defined an era in the club’s history.

Kenny Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish
1970 Kenny Dalglish in action for Celtic. Photo Imago

Kenny Dalglish, known to fans as ‘King Kenny’, is featured in some of the brightest chapters in Celtic’s history. Starting his journey in the club’s youth team in 1967, he quickly developed into one of the most talented players of his generation. Debut for the main team was in September 1969, and from that moment began the ascent of a new star of Scottish football.

Kenny Dalglish spent eight unforgettable seasons at Celtic, during which he managed to become a true legend of the club. His versatility on the field was phenomenal – he could equally effective as a centre forward and as an attacking midfielder. Particularly memorable was the matched against Rangers where Dalglish was more often that not on the scoresheet for Celtic, demonstrating all facets of his unbelievable talent.

During his time playing for ‘Celtic’ Kenny won four championship medals, 4 Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup. In 338 appearances in the Celtic shirt, he scored 174 goals – a terrific performance indicator. Dalglish’s vision of the pitch, technical skills and ability to make unconventional decisions made him one of the most revered players in Celtic’s history.

Remarkably, even after his transfer to Liverpool in 1977 for a then-record £440,000, Dalglish retained a special place in the hearts of Celtic fans. Although the fans initially held a grudge against the player and booed him during a 1978 clash with Liverpool, they came to realise Dalglish’s greatness. His influence on Scottish football can hardly be overstated – he became a model of professionalism and skill for many young players. In 2009, Kenny was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contribution to the game.

Henrik Larsson

Henrik Larsson celebrates
27 August 2000: Henrik Larsson celebrates during the Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Celtic Park. Celtic won the game 6 – 2. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport

Henrik Larsson, nicknamed ‘The King of Kings’ by Celtic supporters, is regarded as the greatest foreign player in Celtic’s history. The Swedish striker joined the club in 1997 for a modest £650,000 from Feyenoord in the Netherlands, an acquisition that proved to be truly golden for the Scottish club.

Larsson’s first season at Celtic got off to a poor start as he made a mistake in his debut match that led to a goal. However, this only hardened the Swede’s character. The next seven seasons turned into a true saga of greatness – Larsson scored 242 goals in 315 games for the club, becoming one of the most prolific forwards in Celtic history. Particularly memorable was the 2000/01 season, when he set a record with 53 goals in all competitions.

His technique, goal sense and ability to decide the outcome of the most important matches made Henrik a real idol of the fans. The 2003 UEFA Cup final against Porto was an example, where Larsson scored twice, although Celtic eventually lost in extra time. This match demonstrates the essence of Henrik – a fighter until the last minute, ready to fight for every ball.

During his time at Celtic, the Swede has won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. His individual honours include the 2001 Eurofootball Golden Boot. After leaving the club in 2004, Larsson successfully played for Barcelona and Manchester United, but it is the period at Celtic that is considered the pinnacle of his career. Today, Henrik Larsson’s name is inextricably linked with Celtic’s history and his playing number 7 has become iconic for the club’s fans. He was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2021, becoming the first Swedish player to receive the honour.

Billy McNeill

Celtic captain Billy McNeill holds aloft the European Cup
Celtic captain Billy McNeill holds aloft the European Cup after Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the 1967 European Cup Final in Lisbon. Photo Imago.

Billy McNeill, known as ‘Cesar’, was one of the most majestic figures in Celtic’s history. He earned his nickname not only for his leadership qualities, but also for his distinctive posture and demeanour on the pitch. Joining the club in 1957 from Blantyre Victoria, he spent his entire professional career at Celtic, playing a record 822 games for the club.

As captain of the legendary Lisbon Lions, McNeill made history when he lifted the European Cup over his head in 1967 after triumphing over Internazionale. It is this moment in history that is captured in bronze – a statue of McNeill with the trophy stands in front of Celtic Park, symbolising the greatest triumph in the club’s history. In that wonderful tournament he played all the matches, demonstrating incredible stamina and stability.

During his career, Billy won nine consecutive league titles, seven Scottish Cups and seven Scottish League Cups. His ability to read the game and win overhead battles was phenomenal. A prime example of his qualities was the 1969 Champions Cup quarter-final against AC Milan, when Billy’s defensive play helped Celtic salvage an important away draw.

After his playing career ended in 1975, McNeill never gave up football, returning to Celtic as manager in 1978. Under his keen coaching eye the club won four league titles, four Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup. His dedication to the club and professionalism has been the benchmark for generations of Celtic players. In 2019, the football world bid farewell to Billy McNeill, but his legacy lives on. He epitomised an entire era in the club’s history, when Celtic were one of the strongest teams in Europe and his leadership and dedication to the club became legendary.

Bobby Lennox

Bobby Lennox, pictured at Barrowfield in pre-season 1975.
Bobby Lennox, pictured at Barrowfield in pre-season 1975. Photo: The Celtic Star, digitised in 2023 courtesy of prints supplied by former Celtic Director Tom Grant.

Bobby Lennox, one of the legendary Lisbon Lions, is deservedly among the greatest players in Celtic’s history. He joined Celtic in 1961 from humble Ardir Recreation and developed into one of the most prolific and fastest players of his generation. During his 19 years with Celtic he set many records that are still unrivalled today.

Lennox was known for his phenomenal speed – he was nicknamed ‘Buzz Bomb’ for his ability to gain momentum and overtake defenders with lightning speed. In this regard, fans who saw his matches with their own eyes, remember one of the battles against Rangers in 1969, when he received the ball in his own half of the field, raced across the field and scored the decisive goal, leaving behind the entire defence of the opponent.

During his career with Celtic, Bobby scored 301 goals in 601 games, becoming the second top scorer in the club’s history behind Jimmy McGrory. He was part of the legendary team that won the European Cup in 1967, where his speed and accurate strikes were a key weapon in the Celtic attack.

Lennox’s trophy collection is impressive: 11 league titles, eight Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups. Remarkably, Lennox remains the record holder for the most championship medals of any Celtic player. In the 1967/68 season, he set a personal record by scoring 32 league goals, helping the team win another title.

Paul McStay

 Paul McStay
Paul McStay and Roy Aitken celebrate Celtic winning the 1988 Scottish Cup Final on 14 May, against Dundee United at Hampden. Photo Imago/ Colorsport.

Paul McStay, nicknamed ‘The Maestro’ by the fans, was a unique phenomenon in Celtic’s history. His career at the club began in 1981. That was the starting point, after which Paul spent an impressive 16 seasons with Celtic, becoming the epitome of elegance and technical prowess on the pitch. His career at Celtic began during a difficult period when the dominance of the New Firm (Aberdeen and Dundee United) was challenging the traditional supremacy of the Glasgow clubs.

McStay stood out for his exceptional vision of the pitch and his ability to make brilliant passes. His ball possession technique was so perfect that even his opponents often applauded his skills. During his time playing for Celtic, Paul played 678 matches and distinguished himself with 71 accurate goalscoring strikes. He was a key figure in the team that won a historic ‘double celebration’ in the 1987/88 season, when Celtic won the domestic championship and Scottish Cup in the club’s centenary year.

Paul’s trophy collection is decent with three league titles, four Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup. Remarkably, McStay remained loyal to Celtic even during the most difficult times, when the club went through financial difficulties in the early 1990s. Paul’s dedication and professionalism made him a true example for young players. He was given a farewell match against Manchester United in 1997 when he finished his career, where  the fans turned up to show their gratitude to the club legend.

John Hughes

Celtic's John Hughes celebrates
Celtic’s John Hughes celebrates

John Hughes, nicknamed ‘Yogi’ for his resemblance to a cartoon character (Yogi Bear), began his career at Celtic in 1959. His path to fame and future legend status began in the club’s youth team, where his powerful physicality and natural talent did not go unnoticed. Interestingly, the coaches initially saw him as a centre-back, but his goalscoring flair made them reconsider John’s role in Celtic’s tactics and combinations.

‘Yogi’ was a unique forward, combining impressive size (188 cm, 89 kg) with amazing technique and speed. His signature move was a powerful left-footed shot that terrified opposing goalkeepers. Teammates joked and said that when ‘Yogi’ hit the ball, it seemed that the stadium shuddered. Hughes was renowned for his ability to play with his back to goal and his excellent header.

In 12 years at Celtic (1959-1971), Hughes scored 197 goals in 435 games, making him one of the most prolific players in the club’s history. He was one of the key players in season 1966-67 when Celtic won the European Cup but agonisingly for him he was injured and missed the final in Lisbon.. In total, Yogi’s trophy room includes 6 Scottish Championship gold medals, 4 National Cups and 5 Scottish League Cups. Fans for many years will remember John’s hat-trick in the match against Rangers in 1966, which helped Celtic to defeat the principal rival with a score of 5:1. Hughes remained one of the favourite players among Celtic fans and his portrait adorns one of the walls at Celtic Park.

Bobby Murdoch 

Bobby Murdoch
Bobby Murdoch in Lisbon (Celtic) Photo Imago.

Arguments about who was the best Lisbon Lion are futile and even possibly offensive, so I will confine myself to saying that Bobby Murdoch was well worth his place! Bobby made his debut for Celtic a few days before his 18th birthday at the start of the 1962/63 season. He scored in his debut against Hearts at Parkhead, and he was a good enough inside right without being outstanding.

It was only when Jock Stein arrived that he saw immediately (as many supporters also saw) that Murdoch would be an outstanding right half because in the centre of the field he could control play better rather than have to wait for the ball to come to him in the forward line.

He played there when they won the Scottish Cup in 1965, and by the time that Lisbon came, he and Bertie Auld bossed the midfield, even though he had to play in the final with his ankle all strapped up.  He could win a ball, pass a ball and feed Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Lennox. Much loved by his Manager, he was nevertheless told on two occasions that he would have to lose weight and he was sent to health farms to do so.

In 1973 he moved on to Middlesbrough and he very quickly became a legend down there as well. He was the first of the Lisbon Lions to die in 2001.

Tommy Burns

Tommy Burns
Tommy Burns

Tommy Burns epitomises the true spirit of Celtic as a player, coach and a man who has dedicated much of his life to serving the club. Born in Glasgow, he joined Celtic in 1973 and spent 14 unforgettable seasons with the team, becoming one of the most loyal and respected players in the club’s history. As a midfielder, Burns stood out for his elegant style of play and excellent field vision. His ability to control the tempo of the match and make accurate passes made him a key figure in the midfield.

During his playing career at Celtic, Tommy played 353 games and scored 52 goals, winning six league titles, four Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup. However, his impact on the club went far beyond statistics. He was a true leader on the pitch and in the changing room, helping young players adapt to the demands of a big club. After his playing career, Burns returned to Celtic as head coach in 1994. Under his leadership the team displayed attractive attacking football and in 1995 won the Scottish Cup, the club’s first trophy in six years. Although his  period as Celtic manager was shorter than the Celtic support wanted, he laid the foundations for the team’s future successes.

Conclusion

Lisbon Lions
Lisbon Lions. Photo Imago

Celtic’s history is rich in outstanding players, each of whom made their own unique contribution to the club. From Jimmy McGrory’s scoring record to Billy McNeill’s leadership qualities, from Jimmy Johnstone’s technical prowess to Henrik Larsson’s goalscoring flair, all of these legends have shaped the team’s special character. Their achievements not only enriched the club’s history with trophies and records, but also created a special culture based on loyalty, skill and the desire to win. The current generation of Celtic players continues to follow these traditions, striving to be worthy heirs to their great predecessors.

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