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Those on the outside of the football world think of football as nothing more than a sport. But the sport’s biggest fans know that the very loyalty it commands makes teams more than just teams. It makes them entire symbols of pride, identity, and community. Yet, regardless of the sheer number of clubs around the world, Celtic F.C. still stands out today for its roots and reason for being. The Scottish team came together over 135 years ago and has since become one of only seven clubs on the planet to have won over 100 trophies.
However, winning isn’t everything – it’s what the club was built on that truly defines it. And across the pond in Canada, where a new football culture is starting to take shape, that sort of spirit is worth celebrating and learning from. As Canadian fans are finding their community and developing fresh traditions, it’s no surprise that in a country so captivated by its own national winter sport, hockey, they’re no stranger to team-centered culture.
Could Celtic’s well-over-a-century legacy guide a growing football culture in the Great White North?
How Celtic Built More Than a Team
Celtic F.C.’s legacy is what it is not because of what plays out on the pitch, but what happens off it as well. From the start, the club was built on principles that define a values-led team, including togetherness and resilience. It wasn’t founded on the need for fun or glory, but with the purpose of supporting Glasgow’s Irish immigrant community. That’s precisely why this Scottish team is named after the Irish symbol. Because it brought people together and acted as a source of hope and solidarity, the team was instantly associated with a one-of-a-kind culture.
From then on, Celtic’s identity became inseparable from what it represented. Anything from the simplest matchday rituals and chants to bigger commitments to social causes helped the club develop a reputation that resonated with people far beyond Scotland. Even for those with no connection to the heritage or background, the team’s representation of what football can be other than highlight plays and goals resonated strongly.
Despite its humble beginnings, the club quickly established itself within Scottish football. Whether that was credited to talent, the team’s broader message, or a mix of both is left for each fan to decide. In the early 1900s, Celtic won the Scottish League Championship six times in a row and several more cups and leagues after that. It was a golden era for the team – years of miracles and triumphs fueled by passion.
Growing the Game Across Canada
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Although soccer is the most popular sport globally by a big margin, Canada is not one of those countries in that majority just yet. Historically captivated by ice hockey, lacrosse, baseball, and Canadian football, football (or soccer, as the Canadians call it) has only started finding its footing over the past decade. And there are several reasons for it. The Canadian men’s team qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 36 years, and the women’s team frequently competes at the highest level internationally. Considering the Canadian Premier League (CPL) was just founded in 2017, it’s still a relatively nascent league with tons of potential. Meanwhile, just south of the border, the MLS (Major League Soccer) is also making a more significant name for itself, especially after Lionel Messi signed with Inter Miami. These influences are enough to have Canadians start to embrace the sport and make it part of their identity.
Of course, Canada’s football culture is still in its infancy. Compared to Celtic’s many decades of development, Canadian communities are still figuring out what it means to truly create a lasting football tradition, particularly one that feels authentic to the Canadian experience. That said, there’s plenty to learn from Celtic. While it’s important to win games and exercise talent, fostering pride, identity, and belonging is just as crucial.
United by Football
Yet that’s not to say there isn’t an inherent and existing passion for sports in Canada. In fact, that’s far from the truth. Canadians are known for their pride in general, particularly in their inclusivity, global reputation, natural beauty, and diversity, but also for sports like hockey and baseball (with just one team in each major league to cheer for). In both Scotland and Canada, fans take serious pride in their heritage and find solace in rituals that turn games into shared experiences. Scottish fans might gather at pubs after the match or sing club-specific songs, while Celtic fans abroad in Canada might participate in pre-game tailgates and enjoy certain foods. It’s clear that in both realms, the culture surrounding the sport is what makes it meaningful.
Celtic’s influence is pervasive, extending to fan clubs all around Canada that represent the values that define the team. These groups come together to watch games, maintain traditions, and celebrate the original spirit. Canada is certainly a place where there’s potential to build emotionally invested communities – they’re just yet to be fully realized.
Following Football in a New Era
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Football fandom, like the game itself, has changed – not by losing old rituals, but by adding new ones. Rather than simply cheering from the stands or putting the TV on, fans seek to engage with the sport in more engaging ways. Perhaps they want to act as manager and participate in their own fantasy league or bet on a couple of fixtures online. These activities let supporters feel more connected to the game, giving them more reason to test their knowledge and track all the numbers. Most importantly, watching football becomes much less passive and much more interactive, immersing them deeper into the community.
Scotland and Canada both have sports fanbases that embody those changes. Because they have legal access to regulated betting platforms and other fan participation tools, engaging is made easy. That growing selection of trusted sites means ample ways to explore odds and participate in games, even those that simply adopt the football theme. Fans in Canada, for instance, can scour sites like CanadaCasino to find the Best Crypto Casinos in Canada if that’s their preferred way to pay, or those that have the best bonus codes. In that way, they can keep participation fun rather than letting it become stressful or compulsive.
Bringing Celtic’s Spirit to Canadian Football
Celtic’s story is packed with lessons for any nation looking to develop or even revamp its football culture. First is the commitment and link to grassroots development. Young players and local communities need access to the sport, above all else. Nurturing that can create lifelong fans and generations of players who carry the game forward. Then, there’s the focus on values. Whether it’s charity or something different altogether, these values should be preserved and continue to define the club today and tomorrow. The best football cultures across the country will always prioritize community first, just like Celtic does.
Keeping the Love for the Game Alive
Celtic F.C.’s legacy reminds us that the real power of football isn’t shiny trophies. The people who supported the club during those early days at Parkhead and those who engage in online football betting in Canada and beyond are the ones keeping the spirit alive. People are the vehicle for carrying traditions forward and creating communities, and Canada should take note. Upholding heart, history, and honor in all aspects of the game will help Canadian football thrive for generations to come.
