Spanish phone boxes, cup final defeats and celebrating Celtic

After Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final, it’s doubtful that many fans’ thoughts turned to lots of coins and a phone box in Pineda in Spain. But mine did. And it’s a story that reminds us of the need to put defeat – disappointing though it was – into perspective.

In 1990 – the last time that Celtic lost to Aberdeen in this final, and on penalties – I was a much younger person. A child in fact, aged only 10. I’d first gone to see Celtic in the early-80s, although only regularly from the Centenary season.

On the day of the 1990 Scottish Cup Final, I was on a family holiday in Spain, our first foreign trip. We were staying in Pineda, a small town relatively close to Barcelona.

On the day of the final, it was much harder than now to find a TV with the game. So instead, my Dad found out the scores via phone call. Well after he assumed the game would be over, he phoned my Gran to get the result, only to be told that penalties were just starting.

Dad then proceeded to put multiple coins into the phone to wait on the line as my Gran described each kick. And when it reached Anton Rogan, Gran said simply “He’s missed.” On hearing that Brian Irvine had scored for Aberdeen, the use of coins ended as my Dad hung up.

The connection of Celtic, Aberdeen and Scottish Cup Final penalty losses has naturally been discussed since yesterday’s defeat. And there’s valid reasons for disappointment, anger and a multiplicity of other feelings, but there’s a context needed too.

In 1990, when Celtic lost, they were in the midst of a terrible spell. This was not simply one that saw them go years without any success, but also one which forced a takeover that eventually transformed the club.

Today’s picture is entirely different. As poor as Celtic were yesterday, it comes as part of a club which has won 22 out of the past 30 Scottish trophies, as well as 13 out of 14 titles. The concept of telling my 10-year old self about such dominance is really unbelievable.

None of this is to excuse Celtic’s poor performance, or distract from changes and improvements which are needed for 2025-26, and beyond. This entire season has shown weaknesses in the Celtic team, which have been particularly evident in recent weeks. These need addressed in the summer.

However, there are other points to be considered.

For one thing, despite many people’s attempts to write off Celtic’s recent success – including a Quadruple Treble – as easy or to be expected, this is a reminder that such views are wrong. No-one simply deserves or is given success, and so Celtic’s run of dominance deserves much greater recognition.

Furthermore, this is what is meant to happen in sport. Football fans have a strange contradiction; they want to win every week but understand that it can’t actually happen. If a team actually won everything for which they played, there would cease to be any point in the competition.

Instead, Saturday’s final needs to serve as a challenge to Celtic, at all levels. Those players who stay past the summer need to raise their game. The management team needs to consider their approach and tactics. And the Board needs to decide if they are all doing all they can to invest in the club.

As for feelings if disappointment – even anger – over the final. The older, more mature and non-10 year old part of me can rationalize a bit more.

Some supporters are upset that Rangers can laugh at Celtic’s defeat; frankly, such is the nature of sport. It’s maybe worth thinking about the 2016 Scottish Cup Final. Rangers lost to Hibs, and everyone cheered this. Except Celtic fans could also celebrate domestic success then, unlike Ibrox followers now.

This season, we have finished two cup finals with penalty shootouts, winning one and losing one. Before the season began, if you told me that we would lose to Aberdeen and also beat Rangers – whatever version – then I would have comfortably taken this.

Back in 1990, we left the terminated phone call and walked to evening mass. On the way, my Dad sang the Celtic song, which as a child both puzzled and embarrassed me!

But of course, being a Celtic fan is not about always winning things, and the song reminds us of that. Which is why I loudly played this in my car today when en route to mass).

Onwards to next season, when Celtic’s success will hopefully continue. The song says “We don’t care if we win, lose or draw.” Even when you are disappointed, this is absolutely the case.

Matthew Marr is a Celtic fan, Celtic historian and run his very own Celtic Walking Tours. He posts on Twitter at Hail Hail History.

You can follow him and all his work here.