Celtic have a history unlike almost any other club in British football. From the Lisbon Lions to modern domestic dominance, some of the greatest players in Scottish football have worn the famous green and white hoops. But who are the best Celtic players of all time?
Like our list of the best Tottenham players in history, we have considered each player’s performances, longevity, trophies, statistics, individual quality and overall legacy at Celtic Park. There are a lot more than ten great Celtic players, so don’t be too angry if we missed your favourite!
10. Packie Bonner
Packie Bonner is one of Celtic’s greatest goalkeepers and a player whose remarkable longevity makes him a club legend. The Irishman joined Celtic in 1978 and spent almost two decades with the club, making more than 600 appearances in all competitions. He became a reliable presence during an era when Celtic enjoyed plenty of domestic success.
Bonner was an excellent shot-stopper with strong reflexes and a commanding presence in the penalty area. He won four Scottish league titles, three Scottish Cups, and one League Cup during his time at Celtic, while his importance was recognised when he was named the club’s Player of the Year in 1985.
He is also remembered as one of the best Irish footballers of his generation, particularly after his penalty save against Romania at the 1990 World Cup. However, his legacy at Celtic stands on its own. Few players have given as much service to the club, and his consistency over nearly 20 years earns him a place in the top 10.
9. Shunsuke Nakamura
Shunsuke Nakamura joined Celtic during a time of mini-crisis at the club under manager Gordon Strachan. However, his impact on the pitch was tremendous, quickly turning the club’s fortunes around. Joining from Reggina for £2.5 million, Nakamura settled into the first team at Celtic Park.
The Japanese playmaker possessed exceptional technical ability, vision and, most famously, a remarkable ability from free kicks. His curling effort against Manchester United in the Champions League remains one of the most iconic goals in Celtic history. He produced another brilliant set-piece against the same opponents a year later.
Nakamura helped Celtic win three consecutive Scottish Premiership titles and was named the SPFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2007. Although his spell in Glasgow lasted only four seasons, his talent and ability to produce unforgettable moments make him one of the greatest players to wear the Celtic shirt.
8. James Forrest
James Forrest is another of Celtic’s one-club-men and is one of the most successful players in Scottish history. The winger came through the club’s academy and made his first-team debut as a teenager in 2010, scoring on his debut against Motherwell.
Forrest has remained an important part of Celtic’s success for well over a decade, lifting 14 Scottish Premiership titles, eight Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups. His pace, direct running and ability to score important goals have made him a reliable attacking option under several different managers. He has also shown impressive longevity, adapting his game as his role in the team has changed.
The winger has won an extraordinary number of major honours with Celtic and has played a key role in some of the club’s most successful modern sides. He was named PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year in 2019 after one of the best seasons of his career. His loyalty, consistency and trophy record make him a deserved member of the best Celtic players of all time.
7. Brian McClair
Brian McClair spent only four seasons at Celtic, but his goalscoring record and influence were enough to secure legendary status. The striker joined the club from Motherwell in 1983 and quickly became one of the most dangerous forwards in Scottish football.
McClair was a clever and technically gifted striker with excellent movement and a natural eye for goal. He scored 126 goals in just 203 appearances for Celtic, an outstanding return that included a remarkable 41 goals in all competitions during the 1986/87 season.
That form earned him a move to Manchester United, where he continued his successful career and won numerous major trophies. However, Celtic supporters remember him for his prolific spell at Parkhead and his ability to score consistently. His goals-per-game record is among the best of any modern Celtic forward, making his place in the top 10 well deserved.
6. Scott Brown
Scott Brown became one of Celtic’s greatest captains during a remarkable 14-year spell with the club. The midfielder joined from Hibernian in 2007 and quickly established himself as a key figure, eventually becoming the heartbeat of some of the most successful teams in Celtic’s history.
Brown was not the most technically gifted player on this list, but his leadership, determination and ability to dominate midfield made him invaluable. He thrived in big occasions and was renowned for his combative style, relentless energy, and willingness to set standards for those around him.
As captain, Brown led Celtic through an era of extraordinary domestic dominance, including the club’s historic quadruple treble. He won more than 20 major trophies during his time at Celtic and made over 600 appearances. His influence extended far beyond statistics, with his leadership and commitment making him one of the defining figures of Celtic’s modern history.
5. Paul McStay
Paul McStay is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players Celtic have ever produced. Nicknamed ‘The Maestro’, the midfielder came through the club’s academy and spent his entire professional career at Celtic, becoming one of the greatest one-club players in Scottish football.
McStay possessed exceptional vision, technique and passing ability. He could control the tempo of a match and create chances with passes that few other players in Scotland could see. Despite playing during a difficult period for Celtic, his individual quality consistently stood out.
He made more than 600 appearances for the club and scored over 70 goals before retiring in 1997. McStay won several major honours, including three Scottish Cups and a league title, but his legacy is built as much on his talent as his trophy haul. For many Celtic supporters, he remains one of the finest midfielders ever to play for the club.
4. Jimmy Johnstone
Jimmy Johnstone was one of the most exciting and gifted players in Celtic history. Known as ‘Jinky’, the winger became a cult hero thanks to his extraordinary dribbling ability, pace and capacity to make defenders look foolish.
Johnstone was a central figure in Jock Stein’s legendary Lisbon Lions side. He helped Celtic win nine consecutive Scottish league titles and played a crucial role in the club becoming the first British side to win the European Cup in 1967.
His greatest strength was his ability to beat opponents. Johnstone could change a game with one run down the wing, combining close control with fearless attacking play. He was named third in the 1967 Ballon d’Or voting, behind only Bobby Charlton and Eusébio, highlighting just how highly he was regarded at his peak. Few Celtic players have ever possessed his individual brilliance, and he is undoubtedly one of the best Celtic players of all time.
3. Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish began his legendary career at Celtic and quickly developed into one of the finest forwards in British football. The striker joined the club as a teenager and made his first-team debut in 1967, becoming an increasingly important player during the following decade. He spent 10 years in Celtic’s first team before moving to England in 1977, where he also became one of the best Liverpool players of all time.
Dalglish scored 167 goals in 322 appearances for Celtic and helped the club win four Scottish league titles, four Scottish Cups, and one League Cup. He was a wonderfully intelligent forward who offered far more than goals. His close control, vision and ability to link play made him difficult to defend against, while his movement allowed him to create space for both himself and his teammates.
His final season at Celtic was particularly memorable, as he scored 27 goals before Liverpool paid a British-record £440,000 to sign him. Dalglish went on to become a global football icon, but his Celtic career deserves to be remembered on its own merits. He became a star at Parkhead, won major trophies and established the qualities that would later make him one of Britain’s greatest-ever players. His talent and achievements comfortably earn him a place in Celtic’s top three.
2. Jimmy McGrory
Jimmy McGrory is Celtic’s greatest-ever goalscorer and one of the most prolific forwards in football history. The striker spent his entire playing career with Celtic and scored an astonishing 522 goals in 501 competitive appearances, a record that remains one of the most remarkable in British football. For sheer goalscoring consistency, few players match what McGrory achieved at Parkhead.
McGrory possessed an extraordinary instinct inside the penalty area. He was not the biggest or most physically imposing striker, but his movement, anticipation and finishing ability made him almost impossible to contain. He could score with both feet and was particularly renowned for his ability in the air, despite his relatively small stature. His timing and positioning allowed him to beat defenders to the ball and find the smallest spaces in crowded penalty areas.
The statistics surrounding his career remain astonishing. McGrory scored 55 goals in a single season on three separate occasions and remains the record goalscorer in the Scottish top flight. He also scored eight goals in one match against Dunfermline in 1928, a Scottish record that still stands. His longevity and unbelievable scoring numbers make him an obvious choice near the top of this list, with only one Celtic icon ranked above him.
1. Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson tops the list of the best Celtic players of all time. The Swedish striker joined the club from Feyenoord in 1997 and initially needed time to settle, but he quickly developed into one of the greatest players ever to wear the famous green and white hoops. Over seven unforgettable years, Larsson became the face of Celtic and a hero to supporters. Larsson was one of the best strikers in the world at his peak.
Larsson scored 242 goals in 313 appearances for Celtic and was the complete modern striker. He possessed pace, intelligence, exceptional movement and a ruthless ability in front of goal. He could score spectacular goals, dominate defenders in the air and create opportunities for teammates with his clever link-up play. Under Martin O’Neill, he became the centrepiece of one of Celtic’s most successful modern teams.
His finest season came in 2000/01, when he scored an incredible 53 goals in all competitions and won the European Golden Shoe. Larsson also helped Celtic reach the UEFA Cup final in 2003 and won four league titles during his seven-year spell. McGrory may have scored more goals, but Larsson’s combination of individual brilliance and influence gives him the edge. His complete impact and status as a modern Celtic icon make him the clear number one on the list of best Celtic players of all time.
