Country Bhoys Portugal

This week it’s Portugal.

- Joe Sullivan

CELTIC Football Club is a name known throughout the football world, while in just about any country you care to mention, you’re guaranteed to find Celtic supporters proudly wearing the green and white Hoops.

And as well as having universal appeal, the Celtic first-team squad has a global look to it, with players from 13 countries playing their part in the historic success the club has enjoyed in recent seasons.

Over the course of this season we’ll be taking a closer look at these countries and their current Celtic links, as well as other nations who have played their part in our unique story.

AND IF YOU KNOW THE HISTORY

Celtic’s first experience of Portuguese opposition would prove to be a tough one. Drawn against Leixoes in the first round of the Fairs Cities Cup, the Hoops travelled to Portugal for the first leg. The home side took a sixth-minute lead which was cancelled out just after the half-hour mark by Bobby Murdoch. Three players were also sent off in this match including Stevie Chalmers and Ian Young. The return leg in Glasgow, which Celtic won 3-1 thanks to another Murdoch goal and two from Chalmers, also saw the Hoops play the second half with 10 men as Charlie Gallagher was injured just before half-time in those pre-substitute days.

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