Celtic retro shirts: the Parkhead hoops – page 9

Iconic kits from Parkhead

Celtic’s hoops have barely moved in more than a century, so the fun is in the details. There are the collars, the crests and the sponsors across the chest. The Umbro shirts of the late 1980s and 1990s are the ones many supporters grew up with. That includes the centenary season of 1987-88, when the club won the league and cup double. Nike took over in 2005, then came Warrior and New Balance, and adidas has made the kit since 2020. Each of them gave the hoops its own cut. Away shirts are where the designers have had the freedom, and some of the once-divisive away kits are now among the most sought-after.

Names on the back

The prints tell the story of the dressing room. Scott Brown, captain for over a decade, is the most common name in the collection. James Forrest is next, the winger from the club’s own academy. Henrik Larsson’s shirts from the early 2000s still lead many wish lists, the 2000-01 treble season in particular. The Japanese connection runs from Shunsuke Nakamura’s free-kicks to Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda. You will also find shirts printed for Kieran Tierney, Stiliyan Petrov, Neil Lennon and a young Virgil van Dijk before his move south.

Home, away and the keeper’s top

Home shirts make up the biggest group, with away and third shirts close behind. Goalkeeper kits and training wear are a niche worth a look for collectors who want something the rest of the stand isn’t wearing. Player issue shirts, cut to the squad’s own spec, turn up now and then.

Size and condition

Every shirt is graded by condition, from worn and well-loved to brand new with tags, and listed with its size. Older Umbro shirts tend to come up large, so check the measurements if you’re between sizes.