Sybaris Ali 
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport
Celtic are on the verge of breaking history as they chase the Lisbon Lions’ 50-year-old domestic record. Jock Stein’s side, were undefeated for a staggering 26 games during 1966/67 season in both the league and up competitions, but Brendan Rodgers’ side have a great chance to surpass this tally.
The Lions record came to an end on New Year’s Eve in 1966, when Dundee United beat the Hoops 3-2 at Tannadice. The Arabs, then beat Jock Stein’s side again later on in the season by the same scoreline. FK Vojvodina, were the only other side to beat Celtic that season which came in the European Cup.
Fifty years on and the current Celtic squad have the chance to not only equal the record, but potentially set an even better tally of 26 unbeaten games. Celtic, who currently 19 points clear at the top of the table, already have a League Cup in the trophy cabinet. Only once this season have Rodgers’ side failed to win a domestic match and that was in a 2-2 draw against Inverness, earlier in the season.
Since that match, the Hoops have pushed ahead of the teams in the league and have won their last 18 matches in domestic football. An impressive tally but there is no reason to suggest that the Bhoys can’t beat the record, considering the upcoming fixtures for the Scottish champions.
Celtic’s current unbeaten run is at 24 matches, and with the Hoops playing Albion Rovers next in the Scottish Cup, they could potentially move a step closer, unless an almighty upset were to happen. A result in that match, would then set up the opportunity to equal the record just three days later, when Celtic host St Johnstone.
The most intriguing match though, is the fixture where the Hoops could potentially break the Lisbon Lions record. Hearts are the visitors to Celtic Park that day, and they haven’t won at Paradise in the league since 2007. In what is sure to be an electric atmosphere at Celtic Park, the Hoops could create history that day and then look to extend the unbeaten run even further.
Back in 1967, Jock Stein’s side famously won the European Cup, but they also managed to complete a domestic treble to cap off an unforgettable season (they also won the Glasgow Cup which is now a youth team competition). Will history repeat itself 50 years on, with the Hoops breaking that record and securing a domestic treble?
