“More Than Just a Game: The Enduring Friendship Between Celtic and Athletic Club”
In a footballing world increasingly defined by commercialisation, global brands, and transactional relationships, the enduring bond between Celtic Football Club and Athletic Club Bilbao stands as a beacon of something much rarer: genuine mutual respect, shared values, and emotional kinship between clubs. This is not a relationship built through player transfers, sponsorship deals, or Champions League collisions. Instead, it’s a cultural and philosophical connection — rooted in history, identity, and a deep understanding of what football can and should mean to a community.
This connection, cherished by fans of both sides, came into renewed focus during the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League season. When Athletic Club were drawn against Celtic’s city rivals Rangers in the quarter-finals, it stirred more than just excitement in Bilbao and Glasgow — it reignited a spiritual alliance.
A Relationship Forged in Principles and Pride
The seeds of the Celtic-Athletic relationship were sown long before they ever kicked a ball against each other. But one of the most pivotal moments in their mutual history came in 2011, when Celtic travelled to Spain for a friendly against Athletic Club. It may have been a pre-season match on paper, but it planted something much deeper in the hearts of both fanbases. Celtic manager Neil Lennon captured the essence of it perfectly at the time:
“Both clubs share a similar philosophy, tradition and history.”
Those similarities are striking. Both clubs have a deeply rooted local identity. Celtic, born out of the Irish immigrant experience in Glasgow, have always stood for community, compassion, and the fight for dignity in the face of adversity. Athletic Club, representing the proud Basque Country, are fiercely loyal to their region and maintain one of the most unique traditions in world football: they field only players of Basque origin or formation. In an age of galácticos and global superstars, this policy has made them an enduring symbol of regional pride.
Both clubs also hold a reverence for tradition. They are footballing institutions that value loyalty, legacy, and longevity — principles that transcend the transient world of modern football. It’s no coincidence that they are among a small handful of clubs in their respective leagues never to have been relegated — staying true to their roots while competing at the top.
Billy McNeill and the One Club Man Award
The bond was made even stronger in 2019 following the death of legendary Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill. Athletic Club, recognising the universal values McNeill embodied — loyalty, leadership, and love for one club — awarded him their prestigious One Club Man Award posthumously. The award, which honours players who dedicate their entire careers to a single club, had never before been given to a foreign footballer. That it went to a man who symbolised everything Celtic stood for spoke volumes.
It was a gesture that transcended the game. Athletic’s recognition of McNeill wasn’t about Celtic’s record books or European glory — it was about values, about seeing a reflection of themselves in a fellow institution. It reminded the footballing world that the beautiful game still has room for sentiment, for honour, and for solidarity.
The Europa League Draw That Brought Everything Back
Fast-forward to 2025, and fate conspired to bring Celtic and Athletic Club’s shared values into the spotlight once again — albeit from opposite ends of the city. When the Europa League quarter-final draw paired Athletic Club against Rangers, it instantly carried extra significance. On the surface, it was a standard knockout tie. But for Celtic fans, it was an emotionally charged encounter — a chance to support a club they respected deeply, against a rival they knew all too well.
Athletic Club entered the tie in strong form, sitting 4th in La Liga and riding the momentum of a successful domestic campaign. Rangers, meanwhile, were enduring a turbulent season. They had already parted ways with manager Philippe Clement and were struggling to find form and direction. Still, the fixture was finely poised.
The first leg at Ibrox ended 0-0 — a tense affair with few clear-cut chances. But the draw meant the second leg in Bilbao would be decisive. And in the build-up to that return match at the iconic San Mamés, something beautiful unfolded.
San Mamés Becomes Paradise
Although UEFA offered no formal recognition of Celtic or their historical relationship with Athletic Club, the Bilbao faithful needed no invitation to honour their Glaswegian friends. In the stands, you could spot green and white scarves proudly draped over shoulders. A few Basque fans even waved Celtic flags or wore retro Bhoys shirts, silently stating their allegiance.
Before kickoff, reports emerged that “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was heard being sung by sections of the home support — not as a mocking jibe, but as a sincere gesture of solidarity. It was not coordinated. It wasn’t part of any commercial effort or marketing gimmick. It was simply a spontaneous, organic display of affection for a fellow club that means something to them.
On social media, Athletic Club’s Spanish-language account reposted artwork and tributes from Celtic fans. Billy McNeill was once again remembered. Posts featuring the famous 2011 quote from Neil Lennon resurfaced. And while UEFA may have kept the Celtic-Athletic connection out of the official broadcast, the message was clear on the terraces: Celtic were in Bilbao’s heart that night.
A Victory That Felt Personal
Athletic went on to win the second leg convincingly, with their trademark intensity and grit. Their progression to the Europa League semi-finals was a triumph for their own fans — but it also felt like a victory for Celtic supporters around the world. Watching a club they respected so deeply knock out their biggest rivals, while quietly honouring their bond in the process, was almost poetic.
For many Celtic fans, it wasn’t just about Rangers losing. It was about Athletic Club winning — and doing so with grace, humility, and strength. It was about a club with similar values standing tall on the European stage. It was about a reaffirmation that football can still be about community and principle, not just trophies and transfers.
Looking to the Future: A Friendship Built to Last
The events of this Europa League tie will only deepen the bond between Celtic and Athletic Club. It has sparked renewed conversation between fan groups, with many calling for another friendly fixture in the near future — perhaps at Celtic Park this time. There are whispers among supporters of formalising the relationship, potentially even a long-term partnership involving youth development, cultural exchange, or joint community initiatives.
What’s certain is this: Celtic and Athletic Club stand for something in football that many clubs have lost — a sense of self. They remind us that identity matters. That loyalty is still worth celebrating. That tradition can be a strength, not a hindrance.
And most importantly, they show us that football, at its best, isn’t about rivalries, trophies, or TV rights. It’s about people — and the timeless connections they can form through a shared love of the game.
From Glasgow to Bilbao, from Paradise to San Mamés — this friendship is far from over. In fact, it’s only just getting started.
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