While kit numbers may seem a relatively mundane part of football, few can argue their significance to fans and players alike.
As a club, Celtic have had a funny old history with kit numbers, famously refusing to wear them until 1960, while even then they were kept on the shorts rather than on the back for a further 34 years.
Such is the depth of quality that the Bhoys have had throughout their history, picking a best player for each shirt number is no easy task. Just imagine having to choose between Kenny Dalglish, Jimmy Johnstone and Henrik Larsson for the number seven shirt – it’s the stuff of nightmares.
Nevertheless, here’s a look at 90min’s selection of the best players to wear each shirt number – one to eleven – of all time…
#1 – Pat ‘Packie’ Bonner
While he could make it in just for his name alone, the big Irishman also spent an illustrious 20 year career at Celtic and is a quintessential one-club man.
At international level, Bonner is most remembered for saving Daniel Timofte’s penalty in the round of 16 shootout victory for Ireland over Romania – Timofte later set up a pub in his native country called, brilliantly, Penalty. At least he didn’t do a pizza advert, ey Gareth?
The Celtic stopper also has a twin called Denis who played for Irish side Galway United.
Honourable Mention: Ronnie Simpson
#2 – Danny McGrain
The impressive full-back emerged as part of the ‘Quality Street Gang’ – alongside the likes of Dalglish and Lou Macari – who eventually replaced the iconic Lisbon Lions side.
After leaving Celtic in 1987 with over 600 club appearances, the Scotland international would later go on to manage Abroath, famously seeing his side lost 9-1 to his former club in a Scottish
League cup tie. Once a Hoop, always a Hoop.
Probably best to leave out the fact he supported Rangers as a youngster…
Honourable Mention(s): Tom Boyd, Johan Mjallby
#3 – Tommy Gemmell
The right-footed left-back was a mainstay of the Lisbon Lions side that reached two European Cup finals, with Gemmell scoring in both – ensuring his status as a club legend.
The highly talented defender also received recognition from outside the Celtic faithful, placing sixth on the 1967 Ballon d’Or list – only beaten by the likes of Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer and Portugal great Eusebio, and placing ahead of George Best no less.
Honourable Mention: Tommy Burns
#4 – Bobby Murdoch
‘Chopper’ is one of Celtic’s all-time greatest players and a vital part of the 1967 European Cup winning side.
The big man signed for the club in 1959, working part-time as a sheet metal worker, and went on to be the conductor of Jock Stein’s famed midfield.
He went on to become Scottish Footballer of the Year in 1969 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest of his time.
Honourable Mention: Jackie McNamara
#5 – Billy McNeil
An absolute god at Celtic Park and perhaps the club’s greatest ever captain, ‘Cesar’ has been immortalised with a statue of him lifting the European Cup being placed outside Paradise.
Another one-club man, McNeil lead the green and whites on the field and from the dugout, coming back for spells as manager of the iconic club.
His staggering 822 appearances for the club say it all really. Legend.
#6 – John Clark
The man known as the the ‘Brush’ for his role as the sweeper in Stein’s side is perhaps a more underrated selection in this XI, but nevertheless a worthy one.
While Paul Grant is unlucky to miss out, Clark has had a long standing affiliation with the club, with the former defender signing for the club in 1958 and still knocking about as kit man for the Glasgow side.
#7 – Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone
While it feels wrong to not have Larsson – and Dalglish – in this side, the man voted Celtic’s greatest ever player was just a class above.
‘Jinky’ was a Celtic man through and through, starring in the win over Inter in the European Cup final and placing third on the Ballon d’Or list of 1967.
Earlier in that tournament he had been dubbed the “Flying Flea” by the French media for his brilliant wing play in the victory over Nantes.
Honourable Mention: Kenny Dalglish, Henrik Larsson
#8 – Paul McStay
The dynamic midfielder is another one-club man and Celtic legend.
Nicknamed the ‘Maestro’ for his dominant midfield displays, McStay would captain his side to three league titles in his 16 year stay.
His brilliantly named great-uncles Willy and Jimmy McStay both also captained the club, while his brothers Willie and Raymond also pulled on the famous jersey.
It seems they all wanted to McStay at Celtic Park…
Honourable Mention: Scott Brown
#9 – Stevie Chalmers
At just 19 years old, Chalmers was given just three weeks to live after contracting meningitis. Fast forward over ten years and the forward would go on to score the biggest goal in the club’s history – the winner in the ’67 European Cup final.
With 231 goals for the club, Chalmers is only bettered by Larsson, Bobby Lennox and Jimmy McGrory. An esteemed list.
Honourable Mention(s): Chris Sutton
#10 – Bertie Auld
The man with the big grin was a midfield genius in his two spells at the club, playing an integral role in the Lions side that contained 10 Glaswegians and Bobby Lennox – who lived 30 miles away. A remarkable feat that will never be repeated.
As a regular on Celtic TV, Auld has continued to remain in the hearts and minds of Celtic fans and will be an avid viewer as Celtic seek ten in a row.
Honourable Mention: Andy Walker
#11 – Bobby Lennox
There could be only one man to complete this lineup.
The affectionately named ‘Buzz Bomb’ is widely regarded as one of the best of his era, with Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton stating: “
Let’