Fir Park also featured on another occasion where Celtic played twice in one day. In 1916 – during World War One – Celtic were finding it difficult to complete all their games. So it was decided to play two games on 15 April 1916. First, Celtic beat Raith Rovers at Celtic Park before travelling to Motherwell. A 3-1 win for the Bhoys meant they were champions!
Partick Thistle is another team that has had numerous home venues. In 1897, they moved to Meadowside, which is right next to the River Clyde, close to the modern day Riverside Museum. On 8 September 1897, Celtic opened this ground, beating Thistle 1-0 in a friendly.
This is another venue where Celtic have some league-winning experience – and also made Scottish football history. In April 1907, Celtic won the Scottish Cup by beating Hearts. Four days later they went to Meadowside and beat Partick Thistle 2-0. This meant Celtic were the Champions – and also the first ever team to win a League and Scottish Cup double.
Another team whose grounds were close to Glasgow’s biggest river was the appropriately named Clyde. One of their home venues – Barrowfield – was where Celtic first won a trophy, the 1889 Glasgow North Eastern Cup.
However, in 1899, they moved to a new home, namely Shawfield, which in later years became a greyhound racing track. In August 1899, Celtic became the first team to play there, doing so in a League match which ended 0-0.
Interestingly, Celtic later used Shawfield as a home venue. In 1929, a huge fire caused massive damage at Celtic Park. This forced the Bhoys to play elsewhere, which included hosting Falkirk and Third Lanark at Clyde’s ground.
In Scottish football, there are numerous examples of ground names which have been used for more than one venue. Celtic Park is one example, as is Rugby Park in Kilmarnock. In 1899, Killie moved to the second of these grounds, which is still the modern day site.
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
On 26 August 1899, Celtic were the first team to be welcomed by the Ayrshire men. Playing in a League game, big numbers turned out with 10,000 packing into the venue, 2000 of which were supporting the Celts. In fact, special trains from Glasgow had been put on to boost the numbers. They watched Celtic go two goals in front but throw away this lead and have to settle for a 2—2 draw.
In the intervening years, Rugby Park has become an important venue for Celtic. Outwith Celtic Park, this is the place where the Celts have most often played in title-winning games.
Another example of a ground which is the second to use its name is East End Park in Dunfermline. Celtic have a small place in the history of both of these venues.
Celtic fans at East End Park in 1968 to see Celtic win the league. Photo The Celtic Wiki
On 6 May 1903, the Celts became the last team to visit the first East End Park. As part of a transfer deal, it had been agreed that Celtic would play a friendly in Fife. This ended 7-2 to the Bhoys on what one newspaper described as a “quagmire” of a pitch, partly explaining why the Pars were on the move.
