GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on September 01, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
In troubled times there is one tactic/ploy that Celtic can always rely on. Playing the Lisbon Card.
Without doubt it is the greatest achievement in the history of the club, rightly celebrated by fans of all ages as the classic story is retold.
Young fans quickly learn the names of Simpson Craig and Gemmell, their significance. They soon discover that all 11 players, the manager and substitute were both within 30 miles of Celtic Park.
A genuine cause for celebration, one that is highly unlikely to be repeated by a Scottish club.
A home grown story that seems like fiction is a world where players cross continents for a contract and a Season Ticket is close to the £1,000 bonus that the Lions were paid for winning the European Cup. The first time that the trophy was put up, the trophy that Paris Saint Germain currently hold.
Somehow Celtic have managed to sully that fantastic story.
CELTIC TARNISH THE REAL LISON STORY
Inside the club the Lisbon Lions is simply a commercial opportunity. Not a celebration of 11 local heroes who put Celtic on the football map.
Every tacky ploy can come with a Lisbon Lions stamp on it.
New Balance had a strip based on the pink coloured ticket that gained entry to the Estadio Nacional in May 1967.
Adidas dropped even deeper. This season’s third kit is apparently inspired by the paving stones outside of the stadium.
Next season there could be a kit launched based on the colour of the trees that frame the fabled Lisbon stadium.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 29, 2026
Today’s tweet does concentrate on a football match. Sixty years ago Celtic played Zurich in the first match of the march to Lisbon and glory.
But the kick isn’t far away. Coming soon Celtic are launching a new book charting the story of the Lions and season 66/67.
That match, season and city already have some fantastic books in circulation. Written with passion, accuracy, depth and detail.
The new Celtic book comes with a foreword from Martin O’Neill.
Launch date is November 3, a lazy update on the 50th Anniversary book.
Whether O’Neill is still Celtic manager on launch date remains to be seen. Back in season 66/67 Jock Stein never took time off for self reflection.
Celtic are one match away from a Lisbon return, taking on Benfica on October 15. Genuinely that match could be whatever score the hosts want to run up.
The two weeks later Celtic will be pushing more Lisbon merch. A ‘must-have’ for the true Celtic fan.
When it comes to shameless exploitation Celtic are genuinely a club like no other.
The cheek of you talking about past European glory when you have zero ambition of your own. Joke.
— Liam Boyle (@LiamBoyle03) September 29, 2026
And now it’s year after year of European embarrassment under Desmond. Desmond and O’Neill out!!
— Golden Bhoy (@Golden_bhoy) September 29, 2026
And look at you now… ran by pathetic parasites.
— Boogr (@Boogrrr8) September 29, 2026
And yet you have done practically nothing to honour them.
— REOs Gumshield (@HOGHSPEACOCK) September 29, 2026
This board don’t care about the European Cup/Champions League…….
This board are only interested in money ,for themselves
Proper board members that say they’re Celtic supporters would speak up about what’s happening but are so overly paid ,they say 0— JungleLion (@JungleLion_) September 29, 2026
Feel a new strip is about to get punted here.
— Al (@Al1981334714671) September 29, 2026
A wee tweet before plugging this. Absolutely shameless only interested in making money out the lions. Get statues of them all along Celtic Way pic.twitter.com/BB4uvPBXvN
— Stephen Higgins (@higgy1987) September 29, 2026
Now we get pumped by the mighty Ferencvaros. GTF
— PEPSI PHIL CSC ? (@PEPSIPHILCSC) September 29, 2026
Just more proof that the Board remains tone deaf.
It’s actually managed to make the high point of the club over the last 130+ years,
into a slightly embarrassing, brazen money grab?
An ambitious club – you would think – would rather downplay the historic achievement,
after six decades of significant underachievement in the same tournament?
The club [i.e. Board] lost its way a loooong time ago as well ? 🙁
The departed souls of The at eternal rest Lisbon Lions must be disturbed if they’re watching down on that last three weeks for sure !