C’mon Scotland – A look at Celtic’s ‘winner takes all’ experiences | OneFootball

Tonight, the Scotland national team are in action against Denmark in what is an unusual scenario. This match is effectively a ‘winner takes all’ playoff. If Scotland win then they’re off to next year’s World Cup Finals…

John McGinn of Scotland and teammates talk following the team’s defeat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Greece and Scotland at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis on November 15, 2025 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

Over the years, Celtic have had some similar experiences. At different times, the Bhoys have played a team knowing that it’s ‘winner takes all’. This doesn’t include cup finals or final days when either team can win the title, only fixtures where the Celts have faced an opponent, each seeking a decisive result.

One match where this was certainly the case came 120 years ago in 1904-05. In that league season, Celtic and Rangers each finished on level points. However, back then, goal difference and similar was not used to separate the teams.

Celtic FC – Season 1904-05, Scottish Champions. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Instead, a one-off playoff fixture was held. The two sides headed for Hampden Park and a 2-1 victory for the Hoops ensured that the Bhoys became Champions. This ended up being the first of six-in-a-row titles, setting a then world record.

Fast forwarding to 1979, there was another glorious ‘one-off’ match for the Hoops. One the final day of Celtic’s season, the Bhoys ‘welcomed’ Rangers to Celtic Park. The scenario was clear: Celtic needed to win the claim the title. But soon they were behind, and later down to ten men. All looked lost…

The 4-2 Game – Celtic 4 Rangers 2 – May 1979. The Monday night when Ten Men Won the League.

Instead, a remarkable fightback ensured that the ‘Ten Men Won the League’ became famous in Parkhead, and Billy McNeill secured the title in his first season as boss.

Another famous Celtic season had a similar experience. In 1966-67 the Bhoys won the title with a 2-2 draw at Ibrox. For Rangers, this was their final game, although technically Celtic could have won the title either way.

Over the years, there’s been other ‘one-off’ matches that have influenced Celtic’s season, not all of which have helped the Hoops. This situation of playing a team in a single match which decides European involvement has happened on different occasions.

The Bhoys lost 2-1 to Ferencvaros in 2020 in a COVID-inspired match to decide Champions League placement. This sense of Celtic disappointment was also clear against Lyon (2004), Aalborg (2008) and Udinese (2011) where a last day game settled the issue of ongoing European involvement.

Despair for Martin O’Neill in the Champions League. Photo The Celtic Wiki

In other international games, there’s also been a ‘one game’ element, under different circumstances. The Bhoys faced Racing Club in 1967 in a playoff to decide the winners of the Intercontinental Cup. And in 1984, a replayed second leg at Old Trafford was effectively a one-off match.

The Battle of Montevideo. 4th November 1967, Racing Club 1-0 Celtic, Intercontinental ClubCup. Photo The Celtic Wiki

The less said about either of these two matches the better! It is certainly to be hoped that Scotland have significantly better luck tonight. And in terms of the Scotland game, there’s only one appropriate shout: “C’mon you boys in blue.”

But only for tonight. Normal service – and support for the ‘green’ – is to be resumed this weekend!

Tony Ralston. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Best of luck to Anthony Ralston, Kieran Tierney and the rest of the Scotland squad this evening.

COYBIB!

Matthew Marr

If you want to learn more about Celtic history, follow Hail Hail History on Twitter/X. You can also take part in a FREE Celtic history walking tour. Visit celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com for more information.

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books.

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