# 1990–91 Celtic F.C. season

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 endured a poor start to the league season, losing their first two matches. Although there was a brief recovery, the team's form remained inconsistent, 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. Ultimately, Celtic finished 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 suffered a heartbreaking extra-time loss to Rangers in a thrilling 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 F.C.

## Competitions
### Scottish Premier Division
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Rangers (C) | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 62 | 23 | +39 | 55 | Qualification for the European Cup first round |
| 2 | Aberdeen | 36 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 62 | 27 | +35 | 53 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 3 | Celtic | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 52 | 38 | +14 | 41 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 4 | Dundee United | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 41 | 29 | +12 | 41 | |
| 5 | Heart of Midlothian | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 48 | 55 | −7 | 35 | |

#### Matches
### Competition overview

| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record |
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| Premier Division | 25 August 1990 | 11 May 1991 | Round 1 | 3rd | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 52 | 38 | +14 | 047.22 |
| Scottish Cup | 26 January 1991 | 9 Abril 1991 | Third round | Semi Finals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 060.00 |
| League Cup | 22 August 1990 | 28 October 1990 | Second round | Runners Up | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 080.00 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 71 | 45 | +26 | 052.17 |
Source: Soccerway

## Club
### Club officials

| Position | Name |
| Chairman | Jack McGinn |
| Vice-chairman | Kevin Kelly |
| Secretary | Chris White |
| Directors | Brian Dempsey (May 1990 until October 1990) James Farrell Tom Grant Michael Kelly Chris White |
| Chief executive | Terry Cassidy |

### Management

| Position | Name |
| Manager | Billy McNeill |
| Assistant manager | Tommy Craig |
| Reserve Team Manager | Bobby Lennox |
| Youth Development Coordinator | Benny Rooney |
| Physio | Brian Scott |
| Masseur | Jimmy Steele |
| Kitman | Neil Mochan |

### Kit

Supplier: Umbro / Sponsors: CR Smith
This was the second season for both the home shirt and away shirts.

## Transfers
### In

| Pos | Player | From | Type | Date | Transfer Fee |
| MF | Martin Hayes | Arsenal | Transfer | May 1990 | £650,000 |
| FW | Charlie Nicholas | Aberdeen | Transfer | July 1990 | £450,000 |
| MF | John Collins | Hibernian | Transfer | July 1990 | £1,000,000 |
| | | | | Total Transfer Fees | £2,100,000 |

### Out

| Pos | Player | To | Type | Date | Transfer Fee |
| MF | Billy Stark | Kilmarnock | Transfer | June 1990 | £50,000 |
| FW | David Elliot | Partick Thistle | Transfer | July 1990 | £75,000 |
| DF | Stuart Balmer | Charlton Athletic | Transfer | August 1990 | £120,000 |
| DF | Lex Baillie | Toronto Blizzard | Loan | August 1990 | Loan |
| FW | John Hewitt | Middlesbrough | Loan | September 1990 | Loan |
| FW | Dugald McCarrison | Ipswich Town | Loan | December 1990 | Loan |
| MF | Declan Roche | Partick Thistle | Transfer | January 1991 | Free |
| DF | Paul McLaughlin | Partick Thistle | Transfer | February 1991 | £75,000 |
| GK | Andy Murdoch | Partick Thistle | Transfer | February 1991 | £75,000 |
| | | Total Transfer Fees | | | £395,000 |