10 Greatest Celtic FC Players Ever
Celtic is one of the most successful clubs in Scotland. Many great players have played for this great club throughout its history. In this article, we have tried to put together a list of the greatest Celtic players ever.
Considering factors like longevity, impact on the club, success, skills, and consistency, here are the 10 greatest Celtic players ever.
10. Packie Bonner
Packie Bonner, one of the greatest Celtic players ever, joined the club in 1978 from Keadue Rovers. Known for his bravery, athleticism, and outstanding shot-stopping, he made his debut on St. Patrick’s Day 1979 in a 2-1 victory over Motherwell. His breakthrough came in August 1980 when he replaced the injured Peter Latchford during Danny McGrain’s testimonial against Manchester United. Bonner impressed with a stellar performance in the 0-0 draw, securing his place as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper.
A cornerstone of the team throughout the 1980s and early 90s, Bonner amassed 642 appearances during his 20-year career. He helped Celtic clinch four Scottish League titles and three Scottish Cups, cementing his legacy as a club legend.
9. Bobby Lennox
Bobby Lennox joined the club in 1961 from Scottish Junior team Ardeer Recreation at just 18. Making his debut the following March, he became Celtic’s second-highest scorer with 273 goals across all competitions. A prolific forward, Lennox was integral to the club’s success during its golden era.
He won 11 League titles, 8 Scottish Cups, and 5 League Cups and was a key member of the legendary Lisbon Lions, who claimed the 1967 European Cup. English football icon Bobby Charlton praised Lennox as “one of the best strikers I have ever seen,” even suggesting that playing alongside him would have extended his own career indefinitely.
8. Patsy Gallacher
Patsy Gallacher joined Celtic from Clydebank Juniors in 1911 and spent 14 illustrious years with the club. Known as the “Mighty Atom,” he was a dazzling dribbler who teased defenders with his audacious talent. His flair for entertaining fans was matched by his ability to deliver precise passes or score unstoppable goals, making him a standout player of his era.
In 464 competitive matches, Gallacher netted 195 goals, ranking as Celtic’s sixth-highest scorer. During his time at the club, he won 6 Scottish First Division titles, 4 Scottish Cups, 4 Glasgow Cups, and 11 Glasgow Charity Cups, leaving an enduring legacy in Celtic’s storied history.
7. Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish grew up near Rangers’ Ibrox Park and was a childhood Rangers supporter. When Celtic manager Jock Stein sent Sean Fallon to visit Dalglish’s family, the young player hurriedly removed his Rangers posters before meeting him. Signed by Celtic in May 1967, Dalglish initially played on loan at Cumbernauld United before becoming a full-time professional in April 1968.
During his time at Celtic, Dalglish won 4 League titles and 4 Cups, showcasing his immense talent. Although his 1977 move to Liverpool upset fans, and he faced boos during Jock Stein’s testimonial in 1978, his legacy remains secure. Dalglish’s impact ensures his place among the greatest Celtic players ever.
6. Danny McGrain
Danny McGrain is celebrated as one of Scotland’s greatest players. Like Kenny Dalglish, he grew up a Rangers supporter, but a scout reportedly declined to sign him after mistakenly assuming his surname indicated Irish Catholic descent. This misstep led to McGrain joining Celtic on May 13, 1967. Initially viewed as a midfielder, he excelled in various roles before establishing himself as a legendary right-back.
Over 17 remarkable seasons with Celtic, McGrain won 7 League titles and 5 Cups, solidifying his place in the club’s history. Even after his departure to Hamilton Academical in 1987, his legacy endures, cementing him as one of the greatest Celtic players ever.
5. Paul McStay
Paul McStay devoted his entire playing career to Celtic, signing from Celtic Boys Club in 1981. He made his debut on January 23, 1982, in a 4–0 Scottish Cup win over Queen of the South and followed it up with his first league appearance a week later in a 3–1 victory against Aberdeen.
A pivotal player under managers Billy McNeill and Davie Hay, McStay achieved international recognition with Scotland early in his career. By 1986, at just 21, he had already won two League titles, a Scottish Cup, and a League Cup. Retiring in 1997, McStay was later voted into Celtic’s greatest-ever team in 2002 and inducted into the Scotland Football Hall of Fame.
4. Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson joined Celtic in July 1997, signed by manager Wim Jansen for £650,000. In his debut season, he played as a supporting forward alongside Darren Jackson, Simon Donnelly, and Harald Brattbakk. However, he transitioned to the main striker role in his second season, a move that transformed him into a goal-scoring phenomenon.
Over seven seasons, Larsson netted 242 goals in 315 competitive matches, breaking records and becoming a symbol of Celtic’s success. He was instrumental in the team’s journey to the 2003 UEFA Cup final, scoring twice in the narrow 3-2 loss to Porto. Winning 4 Scottish Premier League titles and 2 Scottish Cups, Larsson remains one of the greatest Celtic players ever, adored by fans worldwide.
3. Billy McNeill
Billy McNeill, an undisputed Celtic legend, joined the club from Blantyre Victoria in 1957 as a defender. As captain, he led the Lisbon Lions to victory in the 1967 European Cup, becoming the first British player to lift the trophy.
Over his career, McNeill won 9 Scottish League Championships, 7 Scottish Cups, and 6 Scottish League Cups, cementing his legacy as one of the club’s finest. He retired in 1975 after more than 800 appearances for Celtic and earned 29 caps for Scotland. In 2002, he was voted Celtic’s greatest-ever captain by fans.
Jock Stein once said of McNeill, “What makes a great player? He’s the one who brings out the best in others. When I am saying that I’m talking about Billy McNeill.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates his impact on the team and his enduring legacy.
2. Jimmy Johnstone
Jimmy Johnstone, voted Celtic’s greatest player in a 2002 poll, was a footballer of extraordinary talent and flair. His ability to glide past defenders with ease and leave them bewildered earned him legendary status. A true entertainer on the pitch, his brilliance brought joy to fans and fear to opponents.
As one of the iconic “Lisbon Lions,” Johnstone played a pivotal role in Celtic’s historic European Cup triumph in 1967. His dazzling displays during the campaign, including his electrifying performance against Nantes that earned him the nickname “The Flying Flea,” secured him third place in the European Footballer of the Year award. He remains one of the greatest Celtic players ever.
Over 14 years, Johnstone made 515 appearances and scored 129 goals for Celtic. In addition to the European Cup, his glittering career included 9 League titles and 4 Cups, solidifying his legacy as a club legend.
1. Jimmy McGrory
When it comes to arguments over who is the greatest Celt of them all the name at the top of many people’s list is the incomparable Jimmy McGrory.
McGrory is Celtic’s top scorer of all time, with 469 goals in 448 games and holds their record for the most goals in a season, with 57 League and Scottish Cup goals from 39 games, in season 1926–27.
In the summer of 1928, he turned down an offer from Arsenal to become the highest-paid footballer in Britain because he could not bear to leave Parkhead. However, Celtic board were banking on McGrory’s departure as a way of boosting the club’s bank account and so riled were they by his refusal of Arsenal’s offer that they reduced his wage from £9 to £8 from the beginning of the season, that was less than his teammates, for the rest of his career. When he later discovered this dreed, McGrory simply said:
“Well it was worth it just to pull on those Green and White Hoops.” and “McGrory of Arsenal just never sounded as good as McGrory of Celtic”
Money meant nothing to McGrory. Scoring goals for Celtic meant everything. He was the very personification of the true spirit of the club he adored. He eventually retired from the game in 1937 having spent 15 great years with Celtic.
Players who nearly missed out – Charlie Tully, Jimmy Quinn, Scott Brown, etc.
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