For a generation of Celtic fans, the idea of heading to Paradise on Christmas Day, leaving behind the usual rituals, is now a distant memory.
But there was a time when Christmas Day matches were a regular feature of Scottish football, and Celtic were no strangers to festive action.
If Christmas fell on a Saturday or Wednesday matchday, it was business as usual for football.
Between 1893 and 1971, Celtic played 25 matches on Christmas Day. Unlike the leisurely pace of modern Boxing Day games, Christmas Day football was a hard-fought spectacle, but for Celtic, the holiday often brought triumphs.
The Bhoys’ performances on December 25 were a cause for celebration: [The Celtic Wiki]
- 16 competitive matches played
- 13 wins secured
- 71 goals scored (an average of nearly 3 per match)
- 39 goals conceded
Their biggest Christmas Day victory came in 1897, when Celtic dismantled Clyde with a stunning 9-1 victory—a gift for the fans.
The tradition of Christmas Day fixtures ended in 1971, and Celtic bowed out in fitting style with a 3-2 victory over Hearts at Celtic Park. A crowd of 34,000 turned out to watch the game.
This match was part of the last full programme of Christmas Day fixtures in Scotland. With changing times, the idea of playing on December 25 faded, leaving fans to focus on Boxing Day games instead.
Nowadays, Christmas Day for Celtic involves training sessions rather than matchdays. With Motherwell visiting Celtic Park on Boxing Day this year, the squad will be using Christmas Day to sharpen their preparations, ensuring they’re ready to keep their momentum at the top of the league.
For fans of today, the thought of Celtic in action on Christmas Day might seem surreal, but it was once a cherished tradition. Whether through victories or that incredible 9-1 win, the Bhoys certainly made Christmas Day football one for the history books.
