The first British team to win the European Cup was a…Scottish team? Who then named themselves after the city in Portugal that they won?
“Celtic” is about a local miracle that beat global odds.
I found it for free here on Archive.org.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Every single player on the field for Celtic’s 1967 European Cup win was born within 30 miles of Celtic Park in Glasgow (almost unheard of in football)
- Celtic’s 1967 victory in Lisbon was so legendary that the squad earned the nickname “Lisbon Lions”—a permanent tribute to the city where they shocked the world.
Watch “Celtic”
You can stream “Celtic” for free on Archive.org here.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: na
- Rotten Tomatoes: na (Users); na (Critics)
Director’s Note: It’s written and narrated by James Gordon; Edited by Laurence Henson with music by Andy Park.
Release Date: 2017
My Review of “Celtic”
The Setup
May 25, 1967. Lisbon, Portugal. A scrappy team of Scotsmen—all born within 30 miles of Celtic Park—pull off a miracle. Celtic beats Inter Milan 2–1 to become the first British team to win the European Cup.
The entire match feels like David vs. Goliath: Inter’s defense-first, tight-laced tactics versus Celtic’s wild, fast-paced attacking football. And the David here did it all with a hometown squad.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Inter Milan scored first with a penalty, but Celtic fought back with relentless offense—Tommy Gemmell scored the equalizer, and Stevie Chalmers netted the winner.
- The match showcased manager Jock Stein’s revolutionary philosophy: win by attacking, not defending.
- The team became forever known as the “Lisbon Lions”—a nickname that stuck and became legend.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- The Boston Celtics’ green-and-white aesthetic isn’t directly from Celtic FC—but both teams reflect Irish-Celtic pride. Boston’s name was inspired by Irish immigrants and the Original Celtics basketball team from New York.
- Inter Milan had won two of the past three European Cups going into the match—and were coached by the iconic Helenio Herrera.
Wrap Up
“Celtic” is a short but potent reminder that sometimes, hometown heroes can topple titans. If you like underdog stories, add this to your list.
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc