GLASGOW CELTIC: Happy Birthday!

 WAS FOUNDED ON 28th May 1888

Celtic Football Club was formed back in November 1887 but it wasn't until 28th May 1888 that they played their first match....and it was against Rangers. There was no Scottish League in those days - that didn't start until the 1890/91 season - so the season for Rangers was the Scottish Cup, Glasgow Cup, various Charity Cups and a host of friendly matches. In total Rangers played 45 matches in the 1887/88 season the last of which was the friendly match away to Celtic. Rangers didn't field their strongest side while Celtic had a team of borrowed players but it was Celtic who ran out 5-2 winners in front of a crowd of around 2,000. Neil McCallum was the first goalscorer for Celtic who on that Monday evening played in white shirts with a green collar. From those small beginnings the 'Old Firm' local derby developed into one of the world's most famous and competitive fixtures. Worth a look if you want some history and detail!

https://www.celticfc.com/teams/

The first League season saw different problems, especially for Celtic. In the early parts of the season, the Bhoys found themselves on negative points! This is because they were deducted points for playing an ineligible player, and this effectively ended their hopes of winning the first ever League title.

In the late-1880s, teams played a mixture of friendlies as well as local, regional and national cup competitions. The Scottish Cup was Scotland’s pinnacle trophy, the one all clubs aspired to win. However, regional events such as the Glasgow Cup, were of significant interest, probably akin now to a League Cup victory. As evidence of the Glasgow Cup’s importance, after Celtic had won it and played Hearts, who were Scottish Cup holders, this fixture was described by one newspaper as being a game to decide the “Championship of Scotland.”