Who are the best Celtic FC players of all time? One of the most famous clubs in world football and fierce rivals to Rangers, the Glasgow giants have a long list of storied legends headlined by the “Lisbon Lions”.
These are the ten best players in Celtic history who have helped shape the identify of the 1967 European Cup champions:
10. Bobby Collins
Position: Midfielder
Years with Celtic: 1949-1958
Honours: 1x Scottish League title, 1x Scottish Cup
Bobby Collins is one of the best Celtic FC’s players playing a key role for the club during the 1950s. A creative and dynamic midfielder he built a reputation for his intelligence, passing ability and work rate. His most notable contribution was his technical ability and high football IQ during a tough era of transition for the club.
9. Billy McNeill
Position: Midfielder
Years with Celtic: 1957–1975
Honours: 9x Scottish League titles, 7x Scottish Cups, 1x European Cup
Leading the legendary Lisbon Lions to European Cup victory in 1967 is no doubt Billy McNeill’s crowning achievement. His commanding presence at centre back especially under pressure through 822 games helped the club to achieve nine consecutive league titles through the 1960s and 70s.
8. Bertie Auld
Position: Midfielder
Years with Celtic: 1955–1961, 1965-1971
Honours: 5x Scottish League titles, 3x Scottish Cups, 1x European Cup
Bertie Auld was a key player in Celtic’s midfield during the club’s golden era in the 1960s. Part of the Lisbon Lions team that won the 1967 European Cup. Auld was a combative and skillful midfielder who excelled both in defence and in attack.
7. Tommy Gemmell
Position: Left Back
Years with Celtic: 1961–1971
Honours: 6x Scottish League titles, 4x Scottish Cups, 1x European Cup
Tommy Gemmell was a renowned right-footed left back and one of the greatest talents in the position of his era. A key part of the 1967 European Cup winning Lisbon Lions side, his greatest traits were his overlapping runs, his powerful shot and his exceptional tackling.
6. Bobby Lennox
Position: Forward
Years with Celtic: 1961-1978, 1978-1981
Honours: 11x Scottish League titles, 8x Scottish Cups, 1x European Cup
Known for his blistering pace, Bobby Lennox was a machine in midfield. A part of the “Lisbon Lions” that went on to win the 1967 European Cup, Lennox went on to score 277 goals in 586 games for the club. An engine thanks to his high stamina, the formidable outside left’s accuracy and consistency in front of goal turned him into one of the best Celtic FC players ever.
5. Jimmy McGrory
Position: Centre Forward
Years with Celtic: 1922–1937
Honours: 3x Scottish League titles, 5x Scottish Cups
Jimmy McGrory is one of the best Celtic FC players in history, displaying incredible goal-scoring ability and leadership. Playing 501 games for the club he finished as Celtic’s all-time top scorer with 522 goals – 395 of those in the league – with McGrory dominating Scottish football during the 1920s and 1930s.
4. Bobby Murdoch
Position: Midfielder
Years with Celtic: 1959–1973
Honours: 8x Scottish League titles, 5x Scottish Cups, 1x European Cup
The physically imposing Bobby Murdoch was a driving force behind the Lisbon Lions. He could shoot, tackle, and had an accurate pass from both long and short range. His ability to dictate play and his tireless work ethic left an everlasting legacy as one of Celtics greatest icons.
3. Henrik Larsson
Position: Forward
Years with Celtic: 1997–2004
Honours: 4x Scottish League titles, 2x Scottish Cups, 1x UEFA Cup Runner-up, 1x Scottish Player of the Year
Henrik Larsson is no doubt one of the best Celtic FC players ever with the Swedish forward’s strength, skill and deadly ability with both feet leading to 242 goals in 313 games for the club. His greatest achievement was winning the 2001 domestic treble and the European Golden Shoe.
2. Kenny Dalglish
Position: Forward
Years with Celtic: 1969–1977
Honours: 4x Scottish League titles, 4x Scottish Cups
Before Kenny Dalglish was the 1983 Ballon d’Or runner-up, he was tearing it up at Celtic. The Liverpool legend played 338 games for Celtic, scoring 183 goals on the back of his deft touch, clinical finishing and incredible football intelligence.
1. Jimmy Johnstone
Position: Winger
Years with Celtic: 1962–1975
Honours: 9x Scottish League titles, 4x Scottish Cups, 1x European Cup
Jimmy Johnstone is the greatest Celtic’s player ever, scoring 129 goals in 515 matches. A magician with the ball, he boasted exceptional dribbling ability and electrifying pace that saw him finish third for the 1967 Ballon d’Or, the same year the club won the European Cup.