Celtic FC’s long and storied history is deeply intertwined with success in the Scottish Cup, and over the decades, several legendary managers have left their indelible mark on the competition. The Scottish Cup, one of Scotland’s most prestigious football tournaments, has provided Celtic with countless unforgettable moments, and many of these moments have been shaped by the brilliant leadership of the club’s managers. These managers not only helped Celtic secure victory on the national stage, but also ensured that the club continued its dominance in Scottish football. This tradition of excellence is perhaps best encapsulated by the long list of Celtic managers who have triumphed in the competition, with the likes of Willie Maley, Jock Stein, Neil Lennon, Brendan Rodgers, Billy McNeill, and Martin O’Neill all playing pivotal roles in Celtic’s rich history in the Scottish Cup.
Billy McNeill, Celtic’s greatest-ever captain, was a figurehead for the club both as a player and as a manager. His first major triumph as a manager came in 1980 when he led Celtic to a historic Scottish Cup victory. The final against Rangers remains one of the most iconic in the club’s history. George McCluskey’s dramatic extra-time goal secured a 1-0 win, but it was the aftermath of the match that made the event notorious. The rioting between the Old Firm supporters at Hampden Park led to a significant change in Scottish football—the eventual ban on alcohol inside football grounds, a policy that still exists today.
But McNeill’s success was far from a one-off. He followed up that dramatic victory with back-to-back Scottish Cup wins in 1988 and 1989. The 1988 final, in which Celtic defeated Dundee United 2-1, was a triumphant moment for McNeill’s side, but the following year’s victory over Rangers in the 1989 final stands as one of the most memorable moments in Scottish football history. That match saw a record 72,069 spectators packed into Hampden—still the largest crowd to have ever attended a Scottish football match. McNeill’s role in building the team that would dominate Scottish football during the 1980s cannot be overstated, and his success in the Scottish Cup further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest figures in Celtic history.
Martin O’Neill, who took charge of Celtic in the early 2000s, was another manager who would forever be linked with Scottish Cup glory. O’Neill’s arrival at Celtic heralded a new era of success, and he quickly transformed the team into a dominant force in Scottish football. His first season was nothing short of spectacular, as he guided the club to a domestic Treble—an achievement that secured his place in Celtic folklore. The 2001 Scottish Cup final was a true testament to his managerial brilliance, as Celtic triumphed 3-0 over Hibernian. Henrik Larsson’s two goals in that final were the icing on the cake of a performance that firmly established O’Neill as one of Celtic’s greatest managers.
However, O’Neill didn’t stop there. The following years saw him lead Celtic to back-to-back Scottish Cup wins in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, Celtic defeated Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 in a match that saw Larsson once again perform at his best, helping to guide Celtic to another Cup victory. The following year, O’Neill’s men overcame Dundee United 1-0 in a tense final. These victories not only further enhanced O’Neill’s legacy but also ensured Celtic remained a dominant force in Scottish football at a time when Rangers were still a formidable opponent. O’Neill’s time at Celtic will always be remembered for the successes in both the league and cup competitions, and his contributions to the club’s history are undeniable.
Brendan Rodgers, one of Celtic’s most recent and highly successful managers, has certainly left a significant mark on the Scottish Cup. With three victories in the competition under his belt, Rodgers’ time at Celtic has been defined by sustained success and unforgettable moments. His first Scottish Cup win in 2017 came as part of Celtic’s Invincible Treble. The 2-1 victory over Aberdeen in the final, in which Tom Rogic’s dramatic last-minute goal secured the win, is one of the most iconic moments in recent Celtic history. It was a perfect conclusion to a perfect season, and the result epitomized the brand of football that Rodgers instilled in the team.
Rodgers went on to claim his second Scottish Cup the following year, as Celtic defeated Motherwell 2-0 in the final. This victory completed the historic Double Treble, the first time a Scottish club had ever achieved such a feat. The victory not only cemented Celtic’s domestic dominance but also further solidified Rodgers’ reputation as one of Celtic’s finest managers. After leaving the club in 2019, Rodgers made a return to Celtic in 2024 and once again led the team to Scottish Cup glory, this time overcoming Rangers 2-1 in a dramatic final. Adam Idah’s late goal in that match will go down in history as one of the most memorable moments of Rodgers’ second spell at the club. With the potential to secure a fourth Scottish Cup under his leadership, Rodgers’ legacy continues to grow as one of Celtic’s most successful and influential managers in recent history.
Neil Lennon also stands out as one of the most successful Celtic managers in terms of Scottish Cup victories, having won the prestigious trophy four times. Lennon’s managerial journey at Celtic is remarkable, with two separate stints at the club. His first Scottish Cup win came in 2011, when Celtic defeated Motherwell 3-0 in a dominant final. The victory was highlighted by Ki Sung-yeung’s opening goal, followed by a Stephen Craigan own goal and a Charlie Mulgrew strike. In 2013, Lennon’s Celtic again found success, this time with a 3-0 victory over Hibernian in the final, with Gary Hooper scoring twice in an impressive performance.
After Rodgers’ departure in 2019, Lennon returned to Celtic as manager and led the team to two more Scottish Cup wins, first defeating Hearts 2-1 in 2019 and then repeating the feat with a 2-1 victory over the same opponent in 2020. Lennon’s ability to guide Celtic to Scottish Cup success during his second spell as manager further emphasized his credentials as a manager who knew how to handle the pressures of the cup competition.
Jock Stein, widely regarded as Celtic’s greatest-ever manager, achieved unparalleled success in the Scottish Cup. His record of eight Scottish Cup wins is an achievement that seems unlikely to ever be matched in the modern era. Stein’s dominance began early in his tenure, with his first Scottish Cup victory coming in 1965, and it continued throughout the 1970s. Some of the most iconic moments in Celtic’s history were shaped by Stein’s leadership, including a 4-0 thrashing of Rangers in the 1969 final, a 6-1 victory over Hibernian in 1972, and a 3-0 triumph over Dundee United in 1974. Stein’s reign as Celtic manager saw the club become a dominant force not just in Scotland but also in Europe, and his success in the Scottish Cup stands as a testament to his managerial brilliance.
Finally, Willie Maley, Celtic’s first-ever manager, remains the club’s most successful manager in terms of Scottish Cup victories. Over his extraordinary 43-year tenure as manager, Maley won an incredible 14 Scottish Cups—more than any other manager in the club’s history. His first Scottish Cup victory came in 1899, and his final triumph came in 1937. During his time at the helm, Maley transformed Celtic into the dominant force in Scottish football, and his success in the Scottish Cup played a crucial role in the club’s rise to prominence. His achievements in the competition include victories over Rangers, Queen’s Park, Hibernian, and others, with his 14 wins setting an insurmountable record that has yet to be matched.
The legacy of these managers—Maley, Stein, Lennon, Rodgers, McNeill, and O’Neill—has ensured that Celtic’s place as one of the most successful clubs in Scottish football history remains secure. The Scottish Cup victories under these men have not only brought glory to the club but have also provided the fans with some of the most cherished moments in Celtic’s history. Whether it was the drama of McNeill’s 1980 victory, O’Neill’s Treble-winning season, or Rodgers’ Invincible Treble, Celtic’s journey in the Scottish Cup is one of triumph, passion, and unforgettable memories.