Bosun Lawal interview

The Celtic B team defender, who made his first-team debut earlier this year, told the View: ‘I used to go to the St Patrick’s Day parade back in my home town every year. It could be crazy, but at the same time it was always really fun and I’ve only got good memories of those days. Last year, Johnny Kenny and I went to an Irish gig, and that was good to be around other Irish people. This year we have a game, so we can’t enjoy it as much!

‘Everyone in Ireland knows about Celtic, and how massive the club is. There is a great connection between the club and Ireland, and it was a proud moment for me to sign for Celtic. I’ve supported Celtic since I was young, so when I heard that they had come in for me, I was very happy.’

Celtic’s Irish players

Celtic’s Founding Father, Brother Walfrid, was born in Ballymote, County Sligo, while the others involved in the formation of the club also made the journey across the Irish Sea. Over the ensuing years, dozens of players and several managers, from all parts of the Emerald Isle have followed their route to Paradise.

The likes of Willie Maley, Patsy Gallacher, Charlie Tully, Bertie Peacock, Packie Bonner, Neil Lennon and Martin O’Neill would all become fans’ favourites and Celtic greats. Others would only make a fleeting contribution for the Hoops, before returning home or moving elsewhere.

Then there are those who hail from the Dear Green Place of Glasgow, but turned out for the Republic of Ireland on international duty – namely, Charlie Gallagher, Tommy Coyne, Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy.

So in the St Patrick’s Day edition of the View, we take a look at every Irish-born player and manager who has been involved with Celtic over the past 135 years, and highlight which of the four historic provinces they hail from.

Irish teams in Scotland

The Irish Tricolour, flying in the wind above the magnificent edifice of Celtic Park in Glasgow's East End sky, pays testament to those who first crossed the Irish Sea in the 19th Century. It has to be said, though, that the Glasgow side stole the thunder of Hibernian through in Edinburgh who, as the first major Irish side in Scotland, blazed a trail as the incoming thousands adapted to their adopted country.

It's well known that Hibernian were the first, Celtic are the biggest and that Dundee United first saw light of day as Dundee Hibernian. However, although Celtic are seen as the torchbearers for the Irish in Scotland, neither they nor their Edinburgh counterparts had it all their own way in the new country.

When Celtic first saw light of day in the Scottish Cup in season 1888/89, they were only one of FOUR 'Irish' teams making their debut in the competition that term. And, prior to that, no fewer than FOURTEEN 'Irish' teams had already taken part in Scotland's oldest football competition and, by season 1919/20, a total of TWENTY-SEVEN clubs bearing an Irish name had played in the Scottish Cup.

The fact that Celtic came into being in the thriving and burgeoning metropolis that was Glasgow just doesn't explain why Celtic became the biggest Irish team, as several other sides with Irish roots sprung up in and around the city – many before Celtic.

This View feature looks at those clubs, most of whom have not enjoyed the longevity or success that Celtic have.

The new issue of the Celtic View is also packed full of interviews, features, competitions and quizzes, including exclusive chats with Ange Postecoglou, Callum McGregor, Oh, The Bluebells, Brooke Combe, Scott Brown and many more.

It’s on sale now at official Celtic retail stores or you can order online.

* Take advantage of our great Celtic View offer. Spend over £65 at the online Celtic store and get the new issue of the Celtic View FREE (retail price: £5.99). While stocks last.

A St Patrick's Day celebration in the new issue of the Celtic View