Celtic’s latest pre-season trip has seen them land in Portugal.
After two friendly games against Queen’s Park and Cork City, which both resulted in wins, Celtic were beaten by Estrela over the weekend.
And now, it’s the toughest test of Brendan Rodgers’ preparations for the new Premiership season because Celtic take on Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday evening.
The match will take place in Lisbon, and inside Estádio Nacional, a place that is steeped rich and deep into Celtic’s history.
Photo credit should read ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty ImagesCeltic players and staff walking out at the Estadio Nacional
Celtic’s greatest achievement is winning the 1967 European Cup, when the famous Lisbon Lions triumphed against Inter.
Given that the champions of Scotland are in that very place for pre-season, the players and staff decided to walk out onto the pitch for a ‘special moment’.
A special moment in Lisbon.
The manager, players and staff walking out at the Estádio Nacional – the scene of Celtic’s greatest triumph ⭐🏆
The past meets the present. pic.twitter.com/EGfr0YT3ER
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
Celtic fans react to players and staff honouring the Lisbon Lions
There will be some new Celtic players who don’t even know about the club’s European history, so this is a great lesson for them.
Yes, these are heights Celtic won’t reach again, but unlike others, who will never reach it, at least those in green and white can celebrate it.
And the fans did just that on social media.
@Tolando77 shared something else he would like to see: ‘Would have loved a transition to the winning goal in Lisbon as players walked out.’
Would of loved a transition to the winning goal in Lisbon as players walked out.
— Tolando77🍀 ⚽️ (@Tolando77) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
@HelenMccallum67 think it’s a reminder: ‘Fantastic should be a reminder to this current team, this is where real Celtic men conquered Europe, the greatest Celtic team ever 🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪🇵🇹.’
Fantastic should be a reminder to this current team this is where real Celtic men conquered Europe the greatest Celtic team ever 🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪🇵🇹
— Helen McCallum (@HelenMccallum67) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
But this Celtic fan wants some new signings, as @THESTRANDEDCOM1 added: ‘Sign some players and unveil them in the stadium.’
Sign some players and unveil them in the stadium
— THE STRANDED COMMUTER (@THESTRANDEDCOM1) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
@MTSMFTFTFJ with a brilliant message: ‘I genuinely hope that everyone in attendance there today “gets it” in relation to what it means to be part of CELTIC and how lucky they all are to represent our club!!! Makes me proud seeing this!’
I genuinely hope that everyone in attendance there today “gets it” in relation to what it means to be part of CELTIC and how lucky they all are to represent our club!!! Makes me proud seeing this! 💚💚💚💚
— Midnight To Six Man (@MTSMFTFTFJ) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
@drumradroochit just needed one word: ‘Chills 😎’
But another cry to bring in fresh faces, as @jfd19671888 stated: ‘Sign players.’
@tim_declan with the perfect response: ‘This is football heritage.’
This is football heritage 👌
— Declan Tim 💚🍀 (@tim_declan) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
@mcklennox79 thinks there should be more games in Lisbon: ‘Why have we never played a friendly match there?’
Why have we never played a friendly match there?
— Jake McQuillen☘️ (@mcklennox79) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
@WhosOnFirstWho with a pretty brutal response: ‘Nice but will mean nothing to a lot of them. Just an old stadium.’
Nice but will mean nothing to a lot of them. Just an old stadium
— 🏴JD🏴 (@WhosOnFirstWho) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
Hope they appreciated that, that group of players will live with celtic forever, these guys should aspire to leave a stamp on our club 👏
— Patrick cannon (@Patt1205) July 14, 2025
View Tweet
@Patt1205 also added: ‘Hope they appreciated that, that group of players will live with Celtic forever, these guys should aspire to leave a stamp on our club.’