Celtic and Newcastle United, two iconic British clubs, are poised to face off in a historic clash. They’ve each been on European adventures, enjoying varying degrees of success.
Based in the city of Glasgow, Celtic FC is a football club with a distinguished European history. The Scottish club achieved the pinnacle of success by clinching the European Cup in 1967, triumphing over Inter Milan in a thrilling final. They reached the final again in 1970 but were bested by Dutch side Feyenoord.
While Celtic continues to assert dominance in Scottish football, they have struggled to go far in European competition. Frequent appearances in the UEFA Champions League have yielded limited progress beyond the group stages. In the 2012/13 season, Celtic advanced from a group featuring FC Barcelona, SL Benfica, and Spartak Moscow, only to be halted by Juventus in the round of 16, succumbing to a crushing 5-0 aggregate defeat.
Like Celtic, Newcastle United boasts a storied legacy and a huge local fan base known for their passion. Yet, the Magpies have endured a prolonged trophy drought, with their last major title dating back to their FA Cup victory in 1955. Their European endeavours include victories in two now-defunct tournaments – the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and the Intertoto Cup in 2006. Newcastle have very little experience in the UEFA Champions League, and had never progressed to the knockout stages prior to the Saudi takeover.
A transformative era is unfolding at Newcastle, catalysed by the 2021 Saudi takeover of the club. Under the leadership of Eddie Howe, Newcastle made a few astute signings and secured a historic fourth-place finish in the 2022/23 Premier League season. This achievement earned them a place in the subsequent UEFA Champions League campaign, marking their return to the competition after a hiatus of over two decades.
Celtic FC vs Newcastle United Head to Head
Separated by a mere 150 miles, Celtic and Newcastle have never crossed paths in a competitive European encounter. The impending clash at Celtic Park promises to be an unforgettable occasion, with both sets of fans eagerly awaiting the historic meeting. Secure your Celtic vs Newcastle United tickets with relative ease via SeatPick.
Celtic FC vs Newcastle United Connections
Many notable footballers have traversed the divide between these prestigious clubs. Goalkeeper Fraser Forster, having spent six years with Newcastle without making an appearance, embarked on two season-long loans at Celtic before sealing a permanent move to Parkhead in 2012.
Welsh forward Craig Bellamy, following a falling out with Newcastle manager Graeme Souness, joined Celtic on loan in 2005. Alan Thompson, an alumnus of the Newcastle United youth academy, evolved into a vital midfielder for Celtic from 2000 to 2007.
In the 20th century, Roy Aitken amassed 480 league appearances for Celtic before embarking on a brief 18-month stint in England with Newcastle. He ultimately returned to Scotland and signed for St Mirren.
