List of Celtic F.C. seasons explained

Celtic Football Club is a Scottish professional association football club based in Parkhead, Glasgow. The club was founded in 1887 and played their first match in May 1888, a friendly match against Rangers.[1] The club played their first competitive match in September 1888, when they entered the first round of the 1888–89 Scottish Cup, and were founding members of the Scottish Football League in 1890 from which they have remained in the top tier of ever since.[2] Celtic have won the Scottish league title on 54 occasions, the Scottish Cup 42 times and the Scottish League Cup 21 times.[3] The club enjoyed their greatest successes during the 1960s and 1970s under Jock Stein when they won nine consecutive league titles and the European Cup.[4]

As of the end of the 2023–24 season, the club have played more than 125 seasons in Scottish football. The table details their achievements and the top goalscorer in senior major first-team competitions to the end of the most recently completed season. Details of the partially completed league campaign in the 1939–40 season, abandoned due to the Second World War, are also included.[5]

History

Celtic played their first ever competitive match on 1 September 1888, a first round Scottish Cup tie against Shettleston, winning 5–1,[6] and eventually reaching the final where they lost to Third Lanark after a replay.[7] The team also made their debuts in the Glasgow Cup and the North-Eastern Cup that same season, reaching the semi-final of the Glasgow Cup where they lost to Queens Park,[7] and defeating Cowlairs 6–1 in the final of the North-Eastern Cup to win their first ever trophy.[8] The Scottish Football League was formed in 1890, and Celtic were among the founding members,[9] finishing third behind joint-winner's Rangers and Dumbarton in the competition's inaugural season.[10]

In 1891, Celtic won their second trophy when they beat Third Lanark 4–0 in the final of the Glasgow Cup.[11] The following year saw Celtic winning their first major tournament, defeating Queen's Park 5–1 in the 1892 Scottish Cup Final. A first league title then followed in season 1892–93. The Glasgow Cup remained a prestigious tournament for some years, but declined in importance after the Second World War following the introduction of the Scottish League Cup and European club competitions.[12] Celtic have since gone on to win the Scottish League Championship on 54 occasions, including a run of nine consecutive titles in the 1960s, 1970s and the 2010s, the Scottish Cup 42 times, and the Scottish League Cup 21 times.

Celtic first participated in European competition during the 1962–63 season, their third-place finish in the league the previous season qualifying them for the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.[13] They went on to reach two European Cup Winner's Cup semi-finals in 1964 and 1966,[14] before going on to become the first British club to win the European Cup in 1967, defeating Inter Milan 2 - 1 in the final.[15] Celtic reached the European Cup Final again in 1970, but lost to Feyenoord.[16] Their last appearance in a European final was in 2003 when they lost 3–2 to FC Porto in the UEFA Cup Final.[17] [18]

Key

Key to league record:
Key to divisions:
Key to rounds

Seasons

Source:[20] [21] [22]

SeasonLeagueScottish
Cup
Scottish
League Cup
Glasgow
Cup
European
competition
Top goalscorer(s)
DivisionPldWDLGFGAPtsPoswidth=180pxPlayer(s)width=30pxGoals
scope=row1888–89bgcolor=silverRUN/ASFN/AWillie Groves11
scope=row1889–901Rbgcolor=silverRUWillie Groves
John Coleman
Peter Dowds
2
scope=row1890–91SFL1811344821213rdQFbgcolor=goldWPeter Dowds21
scope=row1891–92SFL221633622141bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWSandy McMahon30
scope=row1892–93SFL181413542529bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=silverRUJohn Campbellbgcolor=Moccasin25
scope=row1893–94SFL181413533229bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUSFSandy McMahonbgcolor=Moccasin30
scope=row1894–95SFL181143502926bgcolor=silver2ndQFbgcolor=goldWJake Madden
Sandy McMahon
11
scope=row1895–96SFL181503642530bgcolor=gold1st1Rbgcolor=goldWAllan Martinbgcolor=Moccasin21
scope=row1896–97SFL1810444218244th1Rbgcolor=silverRUAlex King
Sandy McMahon
12
scope=row1897–98SFL181530561333bgcolor=gold1st2RSFGeorge Allan17
scope=row1898–99SFL1811255133243rdbgcolor=goldWSFSandy McMahon21
scope=row1899–1900SFL18972462725bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUJack Bell14
scope=row1900–01SFL201334492829bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=silverRU1RSandy McMahon14
scope=row1901–02SFL181143382826bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=silverRUJohn Campbell15
scope=row1902–03SFL2281043630265thQFbgcolor=silverRUJohn Campbell17
scope=row1903–04SFL2618266827384thbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUJimmy Quinn17
scope=row1904–05SFL261853683141bgcolor=gold1stSFbgcolor=goldWJimmy Quinnbgcolor=Moccasin22
scope=row1905–06SFL302415761949bgcolor=gold1stQFbgcolor=goldWJimmy Quinnbgcolor=Moccasin23
scope=row1906–07SFL342392803055bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWJimmy Quinnbgcolor=Moccasin32
scope=row1907–08SFL342473862755bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWJimmy Quinn22
scope=row1908–09SFL342356712451bgcolor=gold1stFbgcolor=silverRUJimmy Quinn31
scope=row1909–10SFL342464632254bgcolor=gold1stSFbgcolor=goldWJimmy Quinnbgcolor=Moccasin33
scope=row1910–11SFL34151184818415thbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUJimmy Quinn18
scope=row1911–12SFL3417116583345bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldW1RJimmy McMenemy12
scope=row1912–13SFL342257532849bgcolor=silver2ndQFbgcolor=silverRUJimmy Quinn14
scope=row1913–14SFL383053811465bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWSFPatsy Gallacher24
scope=row1914–15SFL383053912565bgcolor=gold1stN/A1RJimmy McColl26
scope=row1915–16SFL3832333267bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWJimmy McCollbgcolor=Moccasin36
scope=row1916–17SFL3827101791764bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWJimmy McColl24
scope=row1917–18SFL342473662655bgcolor=silver2ndSFPatsy Gallacher17
scope=row1918–19SFL342662712258bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUJimmy McColl17
scope=row1919–20SFL4229103893168bgcolor=silver2ndR4bgcolor=goldWTommy McInally35
scope=row1920–21SFL423086863566bgcolor=silver2ndR4bgcolor=goldWTommy McInally32
scope=row1921–22SFL4227132832067bgcolor=gold1stR3bgcolor=silverRUJoe Cassidy20
scope=row1922–23SFL38198115239463rdbgcolor=goldW1RJoe Cassidy34
scope=row1923–24SFL38171295633463rdR1SFJoe Cassidy25
scope=row1924–25SFL38188127744444thbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUJimmy McGrory31
scope=row1925–26SFL382585974058bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=silverRUJimmy McGrory48
scope=row1926–27SFL382171055493rdbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWJimmy McGrorybgcolor=Moccasin58
scope=row1927–28SFL382396933955bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=goldWJimmy McGrorybgcolor=Moccasin63
scope=row1928–29SFL382279674451bgcolor=silver2ndSFbgcolor=goldWJimmy McGrory34
scope=row1929–30SFL38225118846494thR3bgcolor=silverRUJimmy McGrory38
scope=row1930–31SFL38241043458bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWJimmy McGrory45
scope=row1931–32SFL3820810945048b3rdR3SFJimmy McGrory30
scope=row1932–33SFL38208107544484thbgcolor=goldWSFJimmy McGrory32
scope=row1933–34SFL38181197853473rdR4SFFrank O'Donnell28
scope=row1934–35SFL3824410924552bgcolor=silver2ndR4SFJimmy McGrory20
scope=row1935–36SFL3832243366bgcolor=gold1stR2bgcolor=silverRUJimmy McGrorybgcolor=Moccasin50
scope=row1936–37SFL3822888958523rdbgcolor=goldWSFJimmy McGrory27
scope=row1937–38SFL3827744261bgcolor=gold1stR3SFJohnny Crum27
scope=row1938–39SFL3820810995348bgcolor=silver2ndQFbgcolor=goldWJohn Divers27
scope=row1939–40SFL53026thSFFrank Murphy3
scope=row1940–41 No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War. Celtic entered unofficial competitions including the 1939–40 Emergency League, the 1940 Emergency Cup, the Southern League, the Summer Cup, the Southern League Cup and the 1946 Victory Cup.
scope=row1941–42
scope=row1942–43
scope=row1943–44
scope=row1944–45
scope=row1945–46
scope=row1946–47SFL30136115355327th1RSect1RN/ATommy Kiernan17
scope=row1947–48SFL3010515415625SFSectSFJohnny Paton10
scope=row1948–49SFL30127114840316th1RSectbgcolor=goldWJackie Gallacher21
scope=row1949–50SFL3014795150355th3RSectSFJohn McPhail21
scope=row1950–51SFL30125134846297thbgcolor=goldWQFbgcolor=silverRUJohn McPhail30
scope=row1951–52SFL30108125255289th1RSFbgcolor=silverRUBobby Collins13
scope=row1952–53SFL30117125154298thQFSect1RBertie Peacock12
scope=row1953–54SFL302037722943bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWSectSFNeil Mochan22
scope=row1954–55SFL301983763746bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=silverRUSectSFJimmy Walsh25
scope=row1955–56SFL3416995539415thbgcolor=silverRUSectbgcolor=goldWNot invitedNeil Mochan24
scope=row1956–57SFL34158115843385thSFbgcolor=goldW1Rdid not qualifyBilly McPhail18
scope=row1957–58SFL3419878447463rdSFbgcolor=goldW1Rdid not qualifySammy Wilson32
scope=row1958–59SFL34148127053366thSFSF1Rdid not qualifyJohn Colrain18
scope=row1959–60SFL34129137359339thSFSect1Rdid not qualifyNeil Mochan22
scope=row1960–61SFL34159106446394thbgcolor=silverRUSectbgcolor=silverRUdid not qualifyStevie Chalmers26
scope=row1961–62SFL3419878137463rdSFSectbgcolor=goldWdid not qualifyJohn Hughes31
scope=row1962–63SFL3419697644444thbgcolor=silverRUSectbgcolor=silverRUInter-Cities Fairs Cup – 1RJohn Hughes20
scope=row1963–64SFL3419968934473rdQFSectbgcolor=goldWCup Winners' Cup – SFStevie Chalmers40
scope=row1964–65SFL34165137657378thbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=goldWInter-Cities Fairs Cup – 2RStevie Chalmers27
scope=row1965–66SFL3427343057bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=goldWCup Winners' Cup – SFJoe McBridebgcolor=Moccasin43
scope=row1966–67SFL3426623358bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldEuropean CupWJoe McBride38
scope=row1967–68SFL3430312463bgcolor=gold1st1Rbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWEuropean Cup1R

Intercontinental CupRU

Bobby Lennoxbgcolor=Moccasin44
scope=row1968–69SFL342383893254bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWSFEuropean CupQFWillie Wallace34
scope=row1969–70SFL342734963357bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverEuropean CupRUWillie Wallace24
scope=row1970–71SFL342563892356bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUSFEuropean CupQFHarry Hoodbgcolor=Moccasin33
scope=row1971–72SFL342842962860bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUEuropean CupSFKenny Dalglish29
scope=row1972–73SFL342653932857bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=silverRUEuropean Cup2RKenny Dalglish39
scope=row1973–74SFL342374822753bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUEuropean CupSFDixie Deansbgcolor=Moccasin33
scope=row1974–75SFL3420598141453rdbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWEuropean Cup1RPaul Wilson26
scope=row1975–76SPD362169714248bgcolor=silver2nd3Rbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=silverRUCup Winners' CupQFKenny Dalglishbgcolor=Moccasin32
scope=row1976–77SPD362394793955bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUUEFA Cup1RKenny Dalglish27
scope=row1977–78SPD36156156354365th4Rbgcolor=silverRUEuropean Cup2RJoe Craig16
scope=row1978–79SPD363169613748bgcolor=gold1stQFSFbgcolor=silverRUdid not qualifyTom McAdam16
scope=row1979–80SPD3618117613847bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldWQFSFEuropean CupQFGeorge McCluskey17
scope=row1980–81SPD362646843756bgcolor=gold1stSFSFbgcolor=silverRUCup Winners' Cup1RFrank McGarveybgcolor=Moccasin29
scope=row1981–82SPD362475793355bgcolor=gold1st4RSectbgcolor=goldWEuropean Cup1RGeorge McCluskeybgcolor=Moccasin25
scope=row1982–83SPD362556903655bgcolor=silver2ndSFbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUEuropean Cup2RCharlie Nicholasbgcolor=Moccasin48
scope=row1983–84SPD362187804150bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=silverRUUEFA Cup3RBrian McClairbgcolor=Moccasin31
scope=row1984–85SPD362286773052bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldWQFSFCup Winners' Cup2RBrian McClair24
scope=row1985–86SPD3620106673850bgcolor=gold1stQFQFbgcolor=silverRUCup Winners' Cup1RBrian McClair29
scope=row1986–87SPD442798904163bgcolor=silver2nd4Rbgcolor=silverRUbgcolor=silverRUEuropean Cup2RBrian McClairbgcolor=Moccasin41
scope=row1987–88SPD4431103792372bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWQFSFEuropean Cup1RAndy Walker32
scope=row1988–89SPD36214116644463rdbgcolor=goldWQFN/AEuropean Cup2RMark McGheebgcolor=Moccasin19
scope=row1989–90SPD361014123737345thbgcolor=silverRUSFCup Winners' Cup1RDariusz Dziekanowski16
scope=row1990–91SPD36177125238413rdSFbgcolor=silverRUdid not qualifyTommy Coynebgcolor=Moccasin20
scope=row1991–92SPD44261088842623rdSFQFUEFA Cup2RCharlie Nicholas25
scope=row1992–93SPD44241286841603rd4RSFUEFA Cup2RAndy Payton15
scope=row1993–94SPD44152095138504thR3SFUEFA Cup2RPat McGinlay12
scope=row1994–95SPD36111873933514thbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUdid not qualifyJohn Collins12
scope=row1995–96SPD3624111742583bgcolor=silver2ndSFQFCup Winners' Cup2RPierre van Hooijdonkbgcolor=Moccasin32
scope=row1996–97SPD362367783275bgcolor=silver2ndSFQFUEFA Cup1RJorge Cadetebgcolor=Moccasin33
scope=row1997–98SPD362286642474bgcolor=gold1stSFbgcolor=goldWUEFA Cup1RHenrik Larsson19
scope=row1998–99SPL362187843571bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=silverRUR3CL2QR
UEFA Cup2R
Henrik Larssonbgcolor=Moccasin38
scope=row1999–2000SPL362169903869bgcolor=silver2ndR3bgcolor=goldWUEFA Cup2RMark Vidukabgcolor=Moccasin27
scope=row2000–01SPL383143902997bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWUEFA Cup2RHenrik Larssonbgcolor=Moccasin53
scope=row2001–02SPL3833419418bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=silverRUSFCLGS
UEFA Cup3R
Henrik Larssonbgcolor=Moccasin34
scope=row2002–03SPL383143982697bgcolor=silver2ndQFbgcolor=silverRUCL3QR

UEFA CupRU

Henrik Larssonbgcolor=Moccasin44
scope=row2003–04SPL3831522598bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWQFCLGS
UEFA CupQF
Henrik Larssonbgcolor=Moccasin41
scope=row2004–05SPL383026853592bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldWQFCLGSJohn Hartsonbgcolor=Moccasin30
scope=row2005–06SPL382873933791bgcolor=gold1stR3bgcolor=goldWCL2QRJohn Hartson
Maciej Żurawski
20
scope=row2006–07SPL382666653484bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWQFCLR16Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink18
scope=row2007–08SPL382855842689bgcolor=gold1stQFQFCLR16Scott McDonaldbgcolor=Moccasin31
scope=row2008–09SPL3824104803382bgcolor=silver2ndQFbgcolor=goldWCLGSScott McDonald20
scope=row2009–10SPL382567753981bgcolor=silver2ndSFQFCLPO
ELGS
Robbie Keane16
scope=row2010–11SPL382954852292bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=silverRUCL3QR
ELPO
Gary Hooper22
scope=row2011–12SPL383035842193bgcolor=gold1stSFbgcolor=silverRUELGSGary Hooperbgcolor=Moccasin29
scope=row2012–13SPL382477923579bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWSFCLR16Gary Hooper31
scope=row2013–14SP3831612599bgcolor=gold1st5R3RCLGSKris Commonsbgcolor=Moccasin32
scope=row2014–15SP382954841792bgcolor=gold1stSFbgcolor=goldWCLPO
ELR32
Leigh Griffiths20
scope=row2015–16SP382684933186bgcolor=gold1stSFSFCLPO
ELGS
Leigh Griffithsbgcolor=Moccasin40
scope=row2016–17SP38 34 4 0 25 bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWCLGSMoussa Dembélé32
scope=row2017–18SP38 24 10 4 73 25 82bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWCLGS
ELR32
Scott Sinclair18
scope=row2018–19SP38 27 6 5 77 20 87bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWCL3QR
ELR32
23
scope=row class="white-space: nowrap"2019–20SP30 26 2 2 89 19 80bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWCL3QR
ELR32
bgcolor=Moccasin29
scope=row class="white-space: nowrap"2020–21SP38 22 11 5 78 29 77bgcolor=silver2nd4R2RCL2QR
ELGS
bgcolor=Moccasin22
scope=row class="white-space: nowrap"2021–22SP38 29 6 3 92 22 93bgcolor=gold1stSFbgcolor=goldWCL2QR
ELGS
ECLKPO
20
scope=row class="white-space: nowrap"2022–23SP38 32 3 3 114 34 99bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldWbgcolor=goldWCLGSbgcolor=Moccasin34
scope=row class="white-space: nowrap"2023–24SP38 29 6 3 95 30 93bgcolor=gold1stbgcolor=goldW2RCLGSKyogo Furuhashi
Matt O'Riley
19

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brief history . Celtic FC . 11 May 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160510143304/http://www.celticfc.net/pages/history . 10 May 2016 .
  2. Web site: Stokkermans . Karel . Coventric! . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation . 25 July 2018.
  3. Web site: About Celtic. Celtic FC. 11 May 2016.
  4. Web site: Jock Stein - the man who made the modern-day Celtic . Celtic FC . 25 July 2018 . 10 September 2017 . Joe . Sullivan.
  5. Web site: Welcome to Celtic@FitbaStats . FitbaStats - Celtic . 25 June 2013.
  6. Book: Cuddihy. Paul. Friel. David. The Century Bhoys: The Official History of Celtic's Greatest Goalscorers. 2010. Black & White Publishing. 9781845026103.
  7. Web site: Results For Season 1888/1889. FitbaStats - Celtic. 19 December 2017.
  8. News: Glasgow North-eastern Football Association Final Cup Tie . The Scotsman . 5 . 13 May 1889.
  9. Web site: The Scottish Football League 1890 - 1891. Historical Football Kits. 24 January 2018.
  10. Web site: SFL Archive 1890/1891. SPFL. 24 January 2018.
  11. Web site: Glasgow Cup Finals 1888-2017 . Glasgow FA . 21 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180621194142/http://www.glasgowfa.co.uk/assets/gc_all_finals.pdf . 21 June 2018 . dead .
  12. Web site: History . Glasgow FA . 25 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180725153703/http://www.glasgowfa.co.uk/history.html . 25 July 2018 . dead .
  13. Web site: Celtic in Europe 1961-64 . Jim Craig's Football 50 . 20 June 2018.
  14. Web site: Celtic FC - History . UEFA.com . 20 June 2018.
  15. News: Barham. Albert. Relentless attack captures European Cup. 27 June 2014. The Guardian. 26 May 1967.
  16. News: Green . Geoffrey . Dutch humble Celtic to take cup . 20 June 2018 . The Times . 7 May 1970.
  17. Web site: Derlei decides dramatic final. UEFA.com. 3 January 2016. 22 May 2003.
  18. News: Forsyth . Roddy . Celtic's form has James Forrest dreaming of a European run to rival 2003 . 20 June 2018 . The Telegraph . 2 December 2007.
  19. Web site: Brown . Alan . Preston . Simon . Di Maggio . Roberto . Scotland - List of Topscorers . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation . 25 July 2018.
  20. Web site: League Tables. FitbaStats - Celtic. 19 April 2020.
  21. Web site: Competition History (By Season). FitbaStats - Celtic. 19 April 2020.
  22. Web site: Player Records (By Season). FitbaStats - Celtic. 19 April 2020.