Another club the Celts have played in four countries is Manchester United. At various times – in friendlies and competitive games – the two teams have played in England and Scotland. In 1970 and 2010, they also met in Canada, and in 2003 and 2004 there were US games as well.
Photo – imago/Colorsport Eric Cantona & Liam Miller compete for the ball
Celtic have also met Manchester United in Ireland, but not as a first team game. In 2018 – under sad circumstances – a ‘Celtic legends’ team took on a ‘Manchester United legends’ side. This was a benefit game played in honour of Liam Miller who died earlier that year aged only 36.
Some notable ‘four country’ instances are connected to European finals, with positive and negative memories.
Celtic v Feyenoord, 1970 European Cup Final in Milan on 6 May 1970. Feyernoord won 2-1 AET. Photo The Celtic Wiki
One side that Celts would perhaps rather forget is Feyenoord. The two teams first played in 1970 in Italy, when the Dutch team won the European Cup. Celtic and Feyenoord have also played friendlies and European fixtures in Scotland and the Netherlands.
In 1982, they also took part in a pre-season friendly in Germany, making it four countries. The German game was an exciting 4-3 win for the Dutchmen, and included notable players such as Ruud Gullit and Wim Van Hanegem, who played in the 1970 final.
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.
A more happy memory concerns Inter Milan. Celtic of course beat the Italian side in Portugal in the 1967 European Cup Final. Since then, the Celts have played the ‘Black and blues’ in Italy and Scotland, as well as a 2016 friendly in Limerick in Ireland.
In terms of teams that the Celts have faced in three countries, there is a substantially longer list. One has another European final link. Porto – who beat Celtic in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final – have opposed the Celts in Spain, Portugal and Scotland.
21/05/03 UEFA CUP FINAL CELTIC v FC PORTO (2-2) (2-3 aet) Henrik Larsson (left) scores for Celtic. Photo IMAGO
Other examples involving three countries have negative connotations. Owing to a controversial Glasgow game in 1984, Celtic played Rapid Vienna in Scotland, Austria and then another match in England, at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Similarly, in 1967, European champions Celtic took part in the Intercontinental Cup, playing against South American champions, Racing Club. After an aggregate draw from matches in Scotland and Argentina, a playoff was held in Uruguay. Celtic lost a bad-tempered game 1—0.
The Battle of Montevideo. 4th November 1967, Racing Club 1-0 Celtic, Intercontinental Club Cup. Photo The Celtic Wiki
One major change to European competition in recent years has been to introduce one-tie matches, removing the home and away feature. In the long run, this will reduce the number of countries in which the Celts play against opposing teams.
Can you think of any other clubs that the Celts have met across multiple countries?
Matthew Marr
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