Country Bhoys Finland

This week its Finland

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

The Hoops first set foot in Finland over 38 years ago when they travelled for the second leg of a European Cup first round tie against FC Kokkola. Not that it was the most stressful of occasions for Jock Stein’s men, who were 9-0 up from the first game at Celtic Park, which remains a record European win for Celtic. Harry Hood had put the Hoops in front after 40 seconds in that game and the outcome of the tie was never in doubt. Into the second leg and Celtic sauntered to a 5-0 win. Willie Wallace (2), Tommy Callaghan, Vic Davidson and Bobby Lennox found the net as the Finns were left demoralised by their first, and only, experience of European football.

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