Celtic & Liverpool: A Shared Heritage
"Walk on, walk on, With hope in your heart, And you'll never walk alone"
Key words
- Fierce: showing strong feelings or determination; very intense or aggressive
The two teams have a fierce rivalry that goes back decades.
- Heritage: the traditions, achievements, and beliefs that are part of a group’s or nation’s history
The festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the region.
- Spirit: the attitude, feeling, or way of thinking that a person or group has
The team played with great spirit despite the tough competition.
- Mutual: felt or shared by two or more people
There was a mutual respect between the two players.
- Bond: a strong connection or relationship between people
The teammates formed a strong bond over the years.
Comprehension Questions
- Why was Celtic Football Club founded in 1887?
- What is the name of Celtic’s biggest rival, and what is their match called?
- Why do Celtic fans sing "You’ll Never Walk Alone" before home matches?
- What historical link do Celtic and Liverpool share that helped strengthen their bond?
The History of Celtic FC
Celtic Football Club, based in Glasgow, Scotland, is one of the most successful and historic clubs in British football. Founded in 1887 to support the Irish immigrant community in Glasgow, Celtic quickly became one of Scotland’s top teams. The club has won multiple Scottish league titles and is famous for winning the European Cup in 1967, becoming the first British team to do so.
Celtic’s biggest rivals are Rangers, and their matches, known as The Old Firm Derby, are among the fiercest and most passionate in football. Celtic fans, known for their loyalty and strong connection to the club’s Irish heritage, create an electric atmosphere at their home ground, Celtic Park.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone”
Like Liverpool, Celtic fans sing You’ll Never Walk Alone as their anthem. It is one of the most famous football songs in the world. It was originally a Broadway song from the 1945 musical Carousel. The song was later covered by Gerry and the Pacemakers, a Liverpool band, in 1963.
Celtic adopted the song in the 1960s, around the same time as Liverpool. The strong connection between the two clubs—both having Irish roots and passionate working-class supporters—helped spread the tradition. Celtic fans sing the anthem before every home match, creating a powerful and emotional atmosphere. The anthem is also a way for Celtic fans to express their close bond with Liverpool, as the two sets of supporters share a strong friendship.
Celtic and Liverpool: A Shared Heritage
Like Liverpool, Glasgow had a large Irish population. Celtic became a symbol of Irish identity and pride, much like Liverpool FC did for the Irish in England. Over the years, this shared heritage created a strong friendship between Liverpool and Celtic supporters.
Fans of both clubs often attend each other’s games, and meetings between the two teams are played in a friendly spirit. The clubs also share a deep connection to You’ll Never Walk Alone, which is sung passionately by both sets of supporters. This mutual respect has kept the bond between the two clubs strong for generations.
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Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Celtic and Liverpool share a strong bond due to their shared heritage. Do you know of any other football clubs with similar connections?
- Have you ever felt a strong connection to a sports team because of a shared heritage?
- Do you think football can help unite people from different backgrounds?
- If you were to start a new football club, what traditions or cultural aspects would you include to build a strong fanbase?
This article was written by Eddy
Improve your English communication skills by practicing with Eddy, a qualified and experienced native speaker.
