Two clubs with rich histories are set to meet in an exciting matchup when Celtic FC host Serie A giants Napoli at Celtic Park. Glasgow and Naples are two cities that are considered the beating heart of their countries’ identities.
Celtic FC, a renowned Scottish club, boasts a remarkable history of success in both domestic and European football. They’ve won more than 50 Scottish Premiership titles and were the first British club to win the European Cup. In 1967, the Lisbon Lions came from behind to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the European Cup final.
Celtic reached the European Cup final once more in 1970 and the semi-finals in 1971/72 and 1973/74, but never managed to add a second trophy. Celtic's heyday passed and Scottish football soon fell behind Europe’s top leagues.
In recent seasons, Celtic has regularly qualified for the UEFA Champions League, but they haven’t progressed to the knockout rounds since the 2012/13 campaign.
On the other side of the pitch stands Napoli, a prominent Serie A team that boasts a rich history of their own. While they’re yet to clinch a European Cup, Napoli did win the UEFA Cup in the 1988/89 season. Argentine footballing legend Diego Maradona spearheaded Napoli to success, guiding them to a Serie A title too.
SSC Napoli enjoyed a return to the glory days in the 2022/23 season. They won their third Scudetto - their first since 1990 - and produced their best ever campaign in the UEFA Champions League. They were eliminated by Serie A rivals AC Milan in the quarter-finals after impressive victories over Liverpool and Ajax.
Celtic vs SSC Napoli Head to Head
Interestingly, Celtic and Napoli have never met in a competitive fixture. They’ll be making history when they face off at Celtic Park, and fans can secure their seat when they buy Celtic vs SSC Napoli tickets on SeatPick.
Celtic vs SSC Napoli Connections
There is only one player that links these two famous clubs. Italian forward Paolo Di Canio had spells at Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, and AC Milan before moving to the United Kingdom and becoming a cult figure on British soil.
Di Canio spent the 1993/94 season in Naples and his performances earned him a move to the San Siro. He spent two years in Milan before completing a transfer to Celtic. He was a major success at Parkhead, but left the club for Sheffield Wednesday after just one season because of a contract dispute.
