Celtic have many historic traditions before and after matches on game day.
From singing You’ll Never Walk Alone before kick off to the iconic Celtic Huddle, these are moments that are part and parcel of a typical game at Parkhead.
Back in 1959, Celtic Park turned on its floodlights for the first time for a pre-season friendly, but a more significant tradition was born two years later.
The Celtic Song played for the first time on matchday in 1961
Fans going to games nowadays will be familiar with ‘The Celtic Song’ being played over the tannoy as the Hoops walk out on a matchday.
Before 1961, the song had never been played, but on 14 October that year, everything changed.
The version recorded by Glenn Daly was played at the stadium before kick-off against Stirling Albion.
It seemed to be a good omen for the Bhoys as they ran out 5-0 winners in front of 22,000 fans.
A hat-trick from John Hughes was the highlight of the day, with Bobby Carroll and John Divers also scoring in a comprehensive victory for the Bhoys.
What are the lyrics to the Celtic Song?
There are technically two different versions of ‘The Celtic Song’. One is the recording by Daly, and the other is a rendition sung by fans in the stands.
Recorded version of the Celtic Song
Sure it’s a grand old team to play for,
Sure it’s a grand old team bedad,
When you read its history,
It’s enough to make your heart grow sad,
God bless them.
We don’t care if we win, lose or draw,
Darn the hair do we care,
Because we only know that there’s going to be a show,
And the Glasgow Celtic will be there.
Sure it’s the best darn team in Scotland,
And the players all are grand,
We support the Celtic,
As they are the finest in the land we love them,
We’ll be there to give the Bhoys a cheer
When the league flag flies,
And it cheers us up when we know the Scottish Cup,
Is coming home to rest at Paradise.
Sure it’s a grand old team to play for,
Yes it’s a grand old team bedad,
When we read its history,
It’s enough to make your heart grow sad,
God bless them.
We don’t care if we win lose or draw,
Darn the hair do we care,
Because we only know that there’s going to be a show,
And the Glasgow Celtic will be there,
And the Glasgow Celtic will be there.
The Celtic Song (Fan version)
Hail Hail, the Celts are here,
What the hell do we care,
What the hell do we care,
Hail Hail, the Celts are here,
What the hell do we care now.
For it’s a grand old team to play for,
For it’s a grand old team to see,
And if you know the history,
It’s enough to make your heart go,
We don’t care what the animals say,
What the hell do we care,
For all we know,
Is that there’s going to be a show,
And the Glasgow Celtic will be there.
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