Celtic’s pre-season tour of Portugal took on a deeply emotional tone as Brendan Rodgers and his squad made a poignant visit to the Estádio Nacional — the site of the club’s greatest ever triumph.
In 1967, Jock Stein’s immortal Lisbon Lions made history on that very turf by defeating Inter Milan 2-1 to lift the European Cup, becoming the first British side to do so. It remains the club’s proudest moment — a golden chapter etched into the fabric of Celtic’s identity.
This week, with the squad training just a stone’s throw from the famous ground, Celtic made the call to bring their current players and staff to the humble stadium on the outskirts of Lisbon. The team walked through the tunnel and onto the pitch, retracing the steps of legends like Billy McNeill, Jimmy Johnstone, and Bobby Murdoch.
Pic : Stuart Franklin / Action Images
Celtic’s “Lions of Lisbon” parade the European Cup they won in 1967
It was a classy touch from the club — a gesture that goes beyond footballing logistics and taps into Celtic’s soul. The visit comes just weeks after the club said goodbye to Lisbon Lion John Clark. For the current crop, experiencing the Estádio Nacional first-hand served as a living lesson in what it means to wear the Hoops.
The stadium itself has become a pilgrimage site for Celtic fans over the decades. Modest in structure but monumental in meaning, it draws thousands of supporters each year — many making the journey simply to stand where the Lions stood.
Celtic’s pre-season continues in earnest this week. A match against Sporting CP midweek will offer a competitive step up, before the Hoops return to Glasgow for a high-profile friendly against Newcastle United at Celtic Park this weekend. The squad will then travel to Italy to compete in the Como Cup as preparations intensify ahead of the new campaign.
Brendan Rodgers has spoken previously about the importance of Celtic’s heritage and instilling it in his players. This visit was no marketing gimmick — it was a deliberate, respectful nod to the men who made the impossible possible in 1967.
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