Celtic Football Club was founded on November 6, 1887 in St. Mary's Church, when a Catholic priest known as Brother Walfrid wanted to raise funds for a soup kitchen. In a few months, the green and white club gained the sympathy of the entire Irish population in the west of Scotland (Hibernian from Edinburgh and Dundee Harp were more popular in the east).
Ever since then Celtic is among the best Scottish teams and after a long and rich history this team today is among the top 5 European football clubs by the number of trophies won. You can check Betfred offers for new customers аnd bet on Celtic's next matches in Scottish Premier League. Of course, big part of this success is because of the managers of this team. Here are some of the most legendary managers of this Scottish giant.
Jock Stein (1965-1978)
If you were to ask a Celtic fan to single out just one name, player or coach who have been in charge of the Glasgow club over the course of more than a century, they would all say Jock Stein without a second thought. Jock Stein is a Scottish coach, the first Protestant to lead Celtic, with whom the club won the European Champions Cup in 1967. Besides all famous British clubs, Celtic was the first club from Britain to take the title of European champion. During his tenure at Celtic, Jock Stein won nine consecutive Scottish titles (from 1966 to 1974). Steyn's footsteps were later followed by Alex Ferguson. The popular Sir Alex was Jock Steyn's assistant on the Scottish national team bench, while he was carving his way to football glory with Aberdeen. He would later apply many of the things he learned from Steyn at Manchester United.
Martin O'Neill (2000-2005)
Although his presentation as a new manager of Celtic was not so loud and popular, his career as a Celtic manager began in the most incredible way with a 6:2 win against the rival Rangers. In the first season he led Celtic to the treble and in the next season he led the team to another league title and qualified for UEFA Champions League group stage. In 2003 he led Celtic to UEFA Cup final which they lost, but it was huge success for this team. During his career he was manager of some English clubs, Ireland national team but he will mostly be remembered by the success he had with Celtic.
Billy McNeill (1978-1983 & 1987-1991)
McNeill as a player led Celtic in a 2-1 win against Inter in Lisbon in 1967, when Celtic became European champions. As captain, he won nine consecutive league titles, seven Scottish Cup trophies and six League Cups. Legendary Celtic footballer Billy McNeill, the first Briton to lift the European Cup trophy as captain. He played almost 800 games for the club from Glasgow and scored 38 goals. In two terms as a coach, he led Celtic and won four titles and four cups. He was also the coach of Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Gordon Strachan (2005-2009)
Strachan succeeded Martin O'Neill and unlike him he had very bad start as Celtic's manager. He was defeated with a result of 5:0 against Slovakian team Artmedia Bratislava, while in the league played a draw 4:4 against Motherwell. However, by the end of the first season as manager he led Celtic to league title and League Cup trophy. Strachan won three league titles and four National Cups in four seasons leading the green and whites from Glasgow.
Brendan Rodgers (2016-2019)
Brendan Rodgers will be remembered not as one of the best Celtic's managers but as one of the greatest British football managers. In the first season as manager of Celtic he led this team to domestic treble, fourth in the club's history. But, he also won the league title undefeated. As it wasn't enough next season, he again led this team to domestic treble. He holds the British record for unbeaten run in 69 domestic matches. In 2019 he decide to leave this team and continue his career in English Premier league in Leicester City.
Celtic is among the most followed teams in the world with huge fun base from all over the world. These legends are only small piece of club's rich history, fulfilled with many successes, legendary players and managers.
