Top 10 Celtic FC Goalscorers of all Time
6. Patsy Gallacher [195 Goals in 464 Matches]
Patsy Gallacher, a Glasgow-raised Irish forward, is revered as one of Celtic’s most gifted players. Signed by Willie Maley in 1911, Gallacher made his debut in a 3-1 win over St Mirren. His exceptional talent earned him legendary status, with some considering him the most skilled Bhoy of all time.
Gallacher’s iconic moment came in the 1925 Scottish Cup Final against Dundee, where he scored a memorable goal by somersaulting into the net with the ball. Known for his humor, Gallacher once played for Rangers in a benefit match, only to reveal a Celtic jersey underneath, leaving even Rangers fans in stitches.
During his Celtic career, Gallacher won six Scottish First Division Championships, four Scottish Cups, four Glasgow Cups, and eleven Glasgow Charity Cups. However, his unexpected “retirement” by Celtic in 1926 sparked speculation about wage savings. Gallacher continued playing for Falkirk for six more years, leaving Celtic fans wondering what could have been. His legacy remains unparalleled in Celtic’s history.
5. Jimmy Quinn [217 Goals in 332 Apps]
Willie Maley discovered Jimmy Quinn playing junior football for Smithston Albion in 1900. Initially hesitant to leave his family, Quinn rejected Sunderland’s offer and initially declined Celtic’s as well. However, he eventually signed with the Bhoys on New Year’s Eve 1900.
Quinn’s early seasons were marked by experimentation, shifting from outside-left to inside-left before settling at centre-forward. There, he unleashed his exceptional talents: bravery, speed, aerial prowess, vision, agility, and pinpoint shooting. His legendary status was cemented in the 1904 Scottish Cup Final against Rangers.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Celtic staged a stunning comeback, with Quinn scoring all three goals in a 3-2 victory. This feat made him the first player to score two Old Firm hat-tricks and the first Celtic player to reach 200 goals. Ninety years after his retirement, Quinn remains Celtic’s fifth-highest goalscorer, a testament to his enduring legacy.
4. Stevie Chalmers [231 Goals in 405 Apps]
Steve Chalmers etched his name in Celtic history by scoring the winning goal in the 1967 European Cup Final against Inter Milan. Signed in 1959, Chalmers spent 12 seasons with the Hoops, contributing to six league titles, three Scottish Cups, and four League Cups as part of the legendary “Lisbon Lions” squad. His pace, tireless work rate, and clinical finishing made him a formidable force.
A broken leg in the 1969 Scottish League Cup Final limited Chalmers’ involvement, but his legacy endured. Inducted into Celtic’s Hall of Fame in 2001, he remains one of the top 10 Celtic FC goal-scorers of all time. Chalmers’ courage, selflessness, and talent have cemented his status as a Celtic great, and he remains humble and gracious to this day, remembered as the complete centre-forward.