Thierry Henry stepped in to defend Scottish football and Celtic’s European pedigree after Jamie Carragher claimed that no team from Scotland would ever win the Champions League again.
The former Liverpool defender made the bold statement during CBS Sports’ pre-match coverage of the Champions League final, where he lumped Scotland in with the former Yugoslavia, and Romania as nations unlikely to see a club lift the famous trophy again.
Carragher said: “France are alongside Scotland, the former Yugoslavia, and Romania. Those three countries, I am quite confident, will never win a Champions League again.”
His sweeping statement drew a swift rebuttal from Henry, the ex-Arsenal and Barcelona striker, who urged caution.
Henry replied: “Don’t make statements. Don’t make statements.”
While Carragher appeared to be making a broader point about the comparative strength of leagues like the Premier League — which next season will have six teams in Europe’s top competition — his comment sparked immediate backlash.
Suggesting Scotland’s clubs have no future at the top table of European football is bound to anger supporters, particularly with Celtic’s recent performances on the continent.
Celtic’s run to the Champions League knockout stages last season sent out a clear message—Scottish football still has teeth. While the game up north might not enjoy the riches on offer in England, the Hoops showed they can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.
Their European credentials aren’t something locked away in the club museum. It’s a live, breathing challenge to dismissive takes like those recently aired by Jamie Carragher. Reaching the last 16 is no mean feat, particularly given the financial gulf between the SPFL and the top leagues. Yet Celtic didn’t just show up—they competed.
This wasn’t a lucky break or a one-off miracle. It was the result of structure, belief, and a squad that’s got quality in every area. From Callum McGregor anchoring the midfield to Daizen Maeda’s relentless energy up front, the side Brendan Rodgers has moulded is built to push boundaries, not just domestically but on the European stage as well.
That progression to the knockouts should act as a benchmark, not a bonus. It’s a reminder that while the game in Scotland might not come with billion-pound TV deals, it still produces clubs capable of holding their own on the biggest nights. Celtic remain very much a part of that conversation.
Henry, often the more measured pundit, resisted the temptation to write off a footballing nation, showing a level of respect not often afforded to Scotland in such debates.
