35 years since Celtic last lost both cup finals in calendar year before yesterday | OneFootball

The cups have always brought great cheer for Celtic. Before yesterday, it was 35 years since the Celts last lost the Scottish Cup Final and League Cup Final in the same calendar year. Now, it’s closer to 35 hours since it happened…

The first time that Celtic lost both of those cup finals in the same year came 55 years ago, in a prominent season in the club’s history. In 1970, Celtic fell to defeat from Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final in April before losing the League Cup to Rangers in October.

Complacency, discord in the camp, dark waves of melancholy – Celtic in 1970. Scottish Cup Final, 1970 at the final whistle. Photo The Celtic Wiki

But neither of those defeats were the worst experience that year. Sandwiched in-between them was the European Cup Final loss to Feyenoord.

Three years later, Celtic again lost both major domestic finals in a year. In 1973, Rangers this time beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final, before Dundee did likewise in the League Cup. Given that Celtic also lost the Drybrough Cup Final (to Hibs), it was bad year all-round.

Paul McStay and Murdo McLeod (Celtic) challenge Gordon Strachan (Aberdeen) 19/5/84 Scottish FA Cup Final 1984. Photo imago/Colorsport

Fast forward to 1984, this double defeat again occurred. Within the space of two months, Celtic firstly lost 3-2 to Rangers in the League Cup Final, before Aberdeen took the Scottish Cup to Pittodrie following a 2-1 win.

This exact same outcome was the case in 1990. In that season, Celtic lost the Scottish Cup Final to Aberdeen, the first time penalties had ever settled such a match. Rangers then beat the Celts in October to claim the League Cup.

Anton Rogan misses in the 1990 Scottish Cup Final penalty shoot-out between Celtic and Aberdeen, photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic’s success since 1990 – particularly in the 21st century – means they went three-and-a-half decades without suffering this paired cup final heartache. In 2025, St Mirren’s win allied with Aberdeen’s earlier penalty success in the Scottish Cup has ended that run.

Callum McGregor of Celtic looks dejected after the team’s defeat during the Premier Sports Cup Final match between St Mirren and Celtic at Hampden Park on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Christmas might soon be here but there’s little in the way of cheer for Wilfried Nancy or Celtic. As well as League Cup Final defeat meaning he has lost his first three games in charge, it has ended Celtic’s happy cups experience.

Improvements are needed. And fast.

Matthew Marr

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