During the 1990–91 Scottish football season, Celtic competed in the Scottish Premier Division. After finishing 5th the previous season, the club missed out on European competition for the first time since the 1978–79 season. In preparation for the new campaign, manager Billy McNeill strengthened his squad by signing Arsenal winger Martin Hayes, former Celtic hero Charlie Nicholas, and rising star John Collins.
Celtic had a poor start to the league season, losing their first two matches. The team's form remained inconsistent despite a brief recovery, and by March 1991, the league title was already out of reach. A run of three consecutive defeats at the end of March and into early April ended any lingering hopes of a resurgence. Celtic would finish third behind Aberdeen and champions Rangers, who secured their third consecutive title under new manager Walter Smith.
In the 1990–91 Scottish League Cup, Celtic reached the final after overcoming lower-league opposition in the early rounds and defeating Dundee United in the semi-final. However, they lost in extra time to Rangers in the final, extending their trophy drought.
The 1990–91 Scottish Cup also brought disappointment. Celtic, aiming to reach their fourth consecutive final, gained a measure of hope with a famous St. Patrick's Day victory over rivals Rangers. However, a semi-final replay defeat to Motherwell dashed any remaining hopes of silverware for the 1990–91 season.
Following another trophyless campaign and after spending over £2 million on new signings, the board of directors dismissed Billy McNeill, ending his long-standing association with the club.
Pre-season and friendlies Celtic prepared for the 1990–91 season with a tour of Germany and Holland before travelling to Ireland to play in the Bohemian centenary celebration match. Celtic rounded off their preparations with a home friendly against Everton
Competitions
Scottish Premier Division
League table
Matches
Scottish Cup
Scottish League Cup
Competition overview
Club
Club officials PositionNameChairmanJack McGinnVice-chairmanKevin KellySecretaryChris WhiteDirectorsBrian Dempsey (May 1990 until October 1990) James Farrell
Tom Grant
Michael Kelly
Chris WhiteChief executiveTerry Cassidy
Management PositionNameManagerBilly McNeillAssistant managerTommy CraigReserve Team ManagerBobby LennoxYouth Development CoordinatorBenny RooneyPhysioBrian ScottMasseurJimmy SteeleKitmanNeil Mochan
Kit Supplier: Umbro / Sponsors: CR Smith
This was the second season for both the home shirt and away shirts.
Transfers
In PosPlayerFromTypeDateTransfer FeeMF Martin Hayes ArsenalTransferMay 1990£650,000FW Charlie Nicholas AberdeenTransferJuly 1990£450,000MF John Collins HibernianTransferJuly 1990£1,000,000Total Transfer Fees£2,100,000
Out PosPlayerToTypeDateTransfer FeeMF Billy Stark KilmarnockTransferJune 1990£50,000FW David Elliot Partick ThistleTransferJuly 1990£75,000DF Stuart Balmer Charlton AthleticTransferAugust 1990£120,000DF Lex Baillie Toronto BlizzardLoanAugust 1990LoanFW John Hewitt MiddlesbroughLoanSeptember 1990LoanFW Dugald McCarrison Ipswich TownLoanDecember 1990LoanMF Declan Roche Partick ThistleTransferJanuary 1991FreeDF Paul McLaughlin Partick ThistleTransferFebruary 1991£75,000GK Andy Murdoch Partick ThistleTransferFebruary 1991£75,000Total Transfer Fees£395,000
References Celtic Wiki Home Friendlies Celtic Wiki Away Friendlies Celtic Wiki Transfers In Celtic Wiki Transfers Out