Athletic Club have taken a moment to salute Celtic as they prepare for their European tie against Rangers, highlighting the unique friendship between the Basque and Glasgow giants.

On social media, the La Liga club shared a throwback to Celtic’s visit to San Mamés in 2011, writing:

“🔙 #OnThisDay in 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣1️⃣, @CelticFC visited The Cathedral for the first time. 🫂 The match is well remembered in Bilbao due to the friendly atmosphere between both sets of fans at San Mames and in the city.”

That 2011 friendly was very well received by all supporters.

In 2019, Athletic honoured Celtic legend Billy McNeill with their prestigious “One Club Man” award, recognising his loyalty and lifetime service to the Parkhead club. The tribute stood out not just for its sentiment, but also for Athletic’s recognition of Celtic’s cultural and sporting legacy.

The connection was reaffirmed in 2023 when Athletic were invited to Celtic Park for James Forrest’s testimonial. During the event, the Basque side paid tribute once again to McNeill, underlining the enduring ties between the two clubs.

It’s a relationship grounded in more than football. Celtic and Athletic both draw strength from their communities—Celtic from Glasgow’s Irish Catholic roots, and Athletic from the fiercely proud Basque identity. Both clubs are symbols of defiance, independence, and resistance to outside influence, with supporters who embrace anti-establishment ideals.

As Athletic gear up to face Celtic’s city rivals in the Europa League, their nod to the Bhoys hasn’t gone unnoticed. While the ties on the pitch will be fierce, off it there remains a sense of solidarity between the green and white of Glasgow and the red and white of Bilbao.

We wish Athletic Club the best of luck in Europe.