In today's world, Timeline of Scottish football is a highly relevant topic that deserves to be analyzed from different perspectives. With the constant advancement of society and changes in people's way of life, it is essential to understand the importance and impact that Timeline of Scottish football has on our daily lives. Throughout history, Timeline of Scottish football has been the subject of debate and discussion, motivating researchers, experts and professionals to deepen its study to understand its implications in different aspects of life. For this reason, this article will address Timeline of Scottish football in detail, analyzing its causes, effects and possible solutions, with the aim of providing readers with a comprehensive vision of this topic that is so relevant today.
Scotland was one of the earliest modern footballing nations, with Glasgow club Queen's Park early pioneers of the game throughout the UK. More clubs formed in Scotland, resulting in the commencement of the first major competition in 1873, the Scottish Cup, then the founding of the Scottish Football League in 1890. With the official sanctioning of professionalism, the Old Firm of Celtic and Rangers became dominant in Scotland, and remain so, although other clubs have enjoyed brief periods of success too.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) were prominent in the administration of football since the early days of the game, and in 1882 agreed with the other home-nation associations on a uniform set of rules. They continue to play a role in this, with the SFA currently forming part of the International Football Association Board along with each of the other home-nation associations and four representatives from FIFA.
Queens Park's insistence on remaining amateur saw their early prominence in Scottish football fade, and the Old Firm of Celtic and Rangers became the dominant clubs. Celtic won six successive league titles during the first decade of the 20th century, during which time they also became the first club to win the league and Scottish Cup in the same season (the "double"). They also won four successive titles the following decade. In the inter-war years, Rangers won 14 of the 20 league titles competed for, and a few years after the end of the Second World War were the first club to win all three major domestic competitions in the same season in Scotland (the "treble"). Both Old Firm clubs have since won nine successive league titles; Celtic from 1966 to 1974 and then again from 2012 to 2020, and Rangers from 1989 to 1997. Rangers have won the league championship a total of 55 times, a joint world record. Other clubs have enjoyed brief periods of success: Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian during the late 1940s and 1950s and Aberdeen, and to a lesser extent Dundee United, in the early 1980s.
Following the first international in 1872 between Scotland and England, over the next 50 years the national side played exclusively against the other three Home Nations – England, Wales and Ireland. The British Home Championship was established in 1883, making these games competitive. Scotland won the first ever championship, and won outright on ten occasions up to the First World War and shared the title on a further 6 times with at least one other team. Scotland played their first match outside the British Isles in 1929, beating Norway 7–3 in Bergen. Scotland then contested regular friendly matches against European opposition and enjoyed wins against Germany and France before losing to the Austrian "Wunderteam" and Italy in 1931.
Scotland took part in their first major international tournament when they qualified for the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland, and then again in 1958 for the World Cup in Sweden, failing to progress from the first round in both tournaments. After a barren spell in the 1960s, Scotland qualified for the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany, where the team was unbeaten but failed to progress due to inferior goal difference. The national side also qualified for the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, amidst unprecedented publicity and optimism. They failed to win either of their first two games, and a win over the Netherlands wasn't enough to prevent another first round exit. The national side qualified for the next three World Cups in 1982, 1986 and 1990, but also exited at the first round in each. Scotland qualified for the finals of UEFA European Championship for the first time in 1992, and repeated the feat for the 1996 Euros in England. A further major tournament was reached when they took part in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, but then went over 20 years without qualifying for a major tournament. Scotland finally ended this barren run when they qualified for the COVID-19 delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) were prominent in the administration of football since the early days of the game. In 1882 they met up with other home-nation associations and agreed on a uniform set of rules for football. The home-nation associations went on to form the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to approve any changes to the rules. It was a proposal by the SFA that led to the offside rule being changed in 1925, where a player would now be onside if a minimum of two (instead of three) opposing players are between him and the goal line. IFAB continues to meet twice a year, once to decide on possible changes to the rules governing football and once to deliberate on its internal affairs. The organisation is now made up of representatives from the SFA, the other three home-nation associations, and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Each home-nation association has one vote and FIFA has four. IFAB deliberations must be approved by three-quarters of the vote, which translates to at least six votes. Thus, FIFA's approval is necessary for any IFAB decision, but FIFA alone cannot change the Laws of the Game – they need to be agreed by at least two of the home-nation members. As of 2016, all members must be present for a binding vote to proceed.
Scotland's oldest club in continuous existence and longest established club Queen's Park is formed.
Queen's Park compile "The Rules of the Field", a set of rules based on the common Association rules of the time, but with notable changes to the offside rule.
1868
Queen's Park play their first match against another club, the newly formed Glasgow-based team Thistle.
1870s
1870
The first representative match is played between England and Scotland, although this is not considered to be an official international match.
Queen's Park become the first ever Scottish football team to participate in official competition when they play in the 1871–72 FA Cup semi-final against Wanderers, the match ends goalless. Queen's, however, can not afford to extend their stay long enough for the tie to be replayed and are forced to withdraw.
Rangers are formed in March. In May, Rangers play their first ever match, a friendly against Callander, drawing 0-0, played at Fleshers' Haugh (now known as Glasgow Green).
Vale of Leven win the Scottish Cup for the first time after beating Rangers 3–2 in a second replay – thereby becoming the first team other than Queen's Park to win the trophy.
1880s
1881
Dr. John Smith becomes the first player to score a hat-trick in a Scottish Cup Final, netting all three of Queen's Park's goals in a 3–1 win over Dumbarton. The final is a replay after the first match was won 2–1 by Queen's Park but declared void due to a protest from Dumbarton.
Andrew Watson wins his first cap for Scotland, becoming what is widely considered to be the world's first black person to play football at international level.
The first known women's match to be played under football association rules takes place at Easter Road. A team representing Scotland beat England 3–0, with Lily St Clare becoming the first ever recorded female goalscorer.
The British Home Championship (also known as the Home International Championship) becomes an annual competition contested between the UK's four national teams, Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. Scotland go on to win the first championship after winning all three of their matches.
Scotland defeat Ireland 5–0 in Belfast in the first international between the two countries.
Arbroath defeat Bon Accord36–0 in the first round of the Scottish Cup, a record scoreline in a major competition in British football. Jock Petrie scores 13 goals in the game, the highest number of goals by a player in a single game in competitive British football.
Rangers win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 3–1 in the first cup final between the two teams who would become known as the Old Firm.
Celtic build the first ever press box at a football stadium in Britain, located high up on the main stand at Celtic Park.
Celtic and Rangers finish the league level on 41 points, and a play-off at Hampden Park is arranged to decide the championship. Celtic win 2–1, clinching the first of what transpired to be six successive league titles.
1907
Celtic win both the league title and the Scottish Cup in the same season, becoming the first club to win the double in Scotland.
1909
The Scottish Cup is withheld by the SFA after a riot in the final replay between Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic complete a 62 match unbeaten run, a record in British football that stood for over 100 years.
1920s
1920
The SFA, along with the other three home-nation associations, withdraw from FIFA, primarily due to issues over playing ex-enemy countries from the First World War.
1921
Goal average is brought in by the Scottish League to separate teams tied on the same number of points.
The SFA and the three other home-nation associations rejoin FIFA.
1925
Following a proposal by the SFA, the offside rule is changed: a player is now onside if a minimum of two (instead of three) opposing players are between him and the goal line.
1926
St Mirren win the Scottish Cup for the first time, defeating Celtic 2–0 in the final.
The SFA, along with the other three home-nation associations, once again withdraw from FIFA, due to the home nations reluctance to cede ultimate authority on football matters to FIFA.
Jimmy McGrory retires from playing football. He scored 550 goals in competitive matches for Celtic, Clydebank, Scotland and the Scottish League XI. He remains the highest goalscorer in British football.
1939
Rangers defeat Celtic 2–1 in front of a crowd of 118,567 at Ibrox, a record attendance for a league match in Britain.
Competitive football is suspended due to the outbreak of the Second World War in Europe, during the early stages of the 1939–40 season.
1940s
1944
Scotland's 3–2 defeat at Hampden Park in the wartime international against England is watched by 133,000 fans, the largest attendance at any match in Britain during wartime.
1946
Official competitive football resumes after the Second World War.
The SFA, along with the other three home-nation associations, rejoin FIFA, paving the way for Scotland to play in World Cup matches.
Hampden Park hosts a friendly match between a UK representative team and a Rest of the World XI. The game is dubbed "Match of the Century", with the UK winning 6–1 in front of 135,000 spectators. The gate receipts of £35,000 are donated to FIFA to help assist with the financial losses incurred as a result of the Second World War.
East Fife are the second winners of the League Cup, after defeating Falkirk 4–1 in the replayed final of the 1947–48 competition.
Rangers win the league title, League Cup and the Scottish Cup in season 1948–49, thereby becoming the first club to win the domestic treble in Scotland.
Celtic win the Coronation Cup, defeating Hibernian 2–0 in the final.
1954
After qualifying for the World Cup, Scotland are knocked-out after a 1–0 defeat by Austria and a 7–0 defeat by Uruguay. Andy Beattie, appointed manager for the World Cup campaign, is Scotland's first manager but resigns after the loss to Austria.
Bill Struth stands down as manager of Rangers after 34 years in the role, having won 18 league titles. He is succeeded by Scot Symon.
The 1955 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Clyde is the first final in Scotland to be televised live, and ends in a 1–1 draw. Clyde win the replay 1–0.
Hampden Park hosts the 1960 European Cup Final between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt. Real win 7–3 in one of the best known European finals, and regarded by many observers as one of the greatest matches of all time. The crowd of 134,000 is a record for a European final.
A Scottish Cup First Round tie between Airdrieonians and Stranraer is postponed a record 33 times (due to poor weather); Airdrieonians win the tie 4–0 before losing 6–0 to eventual champions, Rangers.
1963
Dundee reach the semi-final of the European Cup, losing on aggregate to AC Milan.
Kilmarnock win the league title for the first time, defeating Heart of Midlothian 2–0 on the final day of the season to win the league on goal average ahead of Heart of Midlothian.
Berwick Rangers defeat Rangers 1–0 in the first round of the Scottish Cup, one of the biggest all-time shocks in the Cup, and described by Rangers' captain John Greig as "probably the worst result in the history of our club".
Rose Reilly signs for Stade de Reims, becoming the first Scots woman to play football professionally.
The crowd of 122,714 that watches Rangers win over Celtic in the 1973 Scottish Cup Final is the last attendance in excess of 100,000 at any match in Britain.
Scotland are eliminated from the 1974 World Cup at the group stages on goal difference, despite not having lost a match.
Dixie Deans and Joe Harper both score hat-tricks in the 1974 Scottish League Cup Final. Deans became the first (and so far, only) player to score hat-tricks in Scottish Cup and League Cup finals.
Scotland clinch qualification for the following year's World Cup in Argentina with a controversial 2–0 win over Wales at Anfield.
Hibernian become the first professional club in Britain to bear sponsorship on their shirts.
Clydebank bolt wooden bench seating to their ground's terraces (reducing its capacity under 10,000 to avoid having to comply with expensive safety legislation), and thus Kilbowie Park accommodating 9,950 becomes the first all-seater stadium in Britain.
1978
Rangers win the domestic treble.
Scotland are knocked out of the 1978 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, having taken three points (one win, one draw) from three matches.
Jock Stein leaves Celtic, having won 25 trophies including the European Cup in 1967, for a brief spell as manager of Leeds United, before returning north to take over from Ally MacLeod as manager of Scotland.
Alex Ferguson becomes manager of Aberdeen, who he goes on to lead to what several sources describe as "unprecedented success", taking over from Billy McNeill who moved to Celtic as their manager.
1979
Dundee United win the League Cup for the first time, defeating Aberdeen 3–0 in the replayed final.
Celtic beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final. Thousands of fans from both sides take to the field afterwards and engage in a pitched battle with one another. The aftermath sees both clubs fined £20,000 and various legislation implemented, including the prohibition of the sale of alcohol at football matches in Scotland.
Hibernian are the first Scottish club to install undersoil heating, at a cost of £60,000, and which is used later in the season to enable their home game against Falkirk to be played despite the wintry weather conditions.
Kenny Dalglish wins his 100th cap for Scotland, in a friendly match against Romania. He eventually goes on to win 102 caps, a record.
Graeme Souness is appointed player/manager of Rangers. This marks the start of a significant change at Rangers, as they spend significant amounts of money in attracting star players to the club from England.
Scotland are knocked out of the 1990 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, having taken two points (one win) from three matches.
1991
Graeme Souness leaves Rangers to become manager of Liverpool. His assistant, Walter Smith, takes over at Ibrox, and six years later would lead the club to their ninth successive league title.
Rangers win the league championship thanks to a decisive win against Aberdeen on the final day of the season.
1992
Having qualified for the first time, Scotland take part in the finals of the UEFA European Championship. They are knocked out at the group stage of UEFA Euro 1992, having taken two points (one win) from three matches.
Rangers become the first British club to compete in the group stages of the revamped UEFA Champions League, where they went undefeated but eventually finished second in their group behind eventual (controversial) winners Marseille.
Top clubs attempt a 'Super League' breakaway following a similar event in England; the move fails but prompts some reconstruction of the League setup which takes effect two years later.
Fergus McCann takes over as owner of Celtic, rescuing the club from financial ruin. He goes on to reconstitute the club as a PLC, which in turn leads to the most successful share-issue in the history of British football.
Celtic sign Scott Brown from Hibernian for £4.4 million, a record transfer fee paid between two Scottish clubs.
The SFA implement changes to qualifying rules for the Scottish Cup, including the allowing of four Scottish Junior Football Association clubs to enter each year.
Referees go on strike in Scotland over the course of a weekend in November 2010 following a series of controversial incidents and criticism.
2011
Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two high-profile supporters of the club are sent parcel bombs. The device sent to Lennon is intercepted by the Royal Mail, whilst the two other devices are delivered but treated as suspicious packages and not opened.
Ross County win the League Cup for the first time, defeating Hibernian 2–1 in the final.
Edinburgh City become the first club to be promoted to the SPFL, under the pyramid system instituted in 2013.
Hibernian win the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1902, defeating Rangers 3–2 in the final.
Oliver Burke joins RB Leipzig from Nottingham Forest for a transfer fee of around £13 million, a record fee at the time for a transfer involving a Scottish player.
2017
Celtic win the domestic treble, while going unbeaten in domestic competitive matches for the whole of the 2016–17 season.
Brechin City fail to win a game in the 2017–18 Scottish Championship, becoming the first Scottish club since Vale of Leven in 1891–92 to go a full season without winning a league game. Brechin also equal the Scottish record for the fewest points scored in a season (four).
Celtic win the domestic treble for a second consecutive season (the "double treble"), the first Scottish club to do so.
Celtic sell Moussa Dembélé to Lyon for €22 million (about £19.7 million), at the time a record transfer fee received by a Scottish club.
Cove Rangers become the first club to gain promotion from the Highland League to the SPFL. They replaced Berwick Rangers, meaning all 42 SPFL clubs are now based in Scotland.
Celtic win all three domestic trophies for the third consecutive season (the "treble treble").
Scotland are knocked out of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup at the group stage, with one point from three matches played.
Scottish Premiership clubs resume training on 11 June 2020, with a view to starting the 2020–21 Premiership season on the first weekend of August 2020, albeit still behind closed doors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Scotland qualify for UEFA Euro 2020, delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, by winning a play-off against Serbia on penalties, their first major tournament since 1998.
Celtic win all three domestic trophies for a fourth consecutive season (the "quadruple treble"), with their league title being their ninth consecutive championship.
Rangers prevent Celtic from winning a record 10 league titles in a row by winning the Scottish Premiership and their 55th league title.
Brechin City become the first club to be relegated from the SPFL into the Highland League after defeat to Kelty Hearts in the League Two play-off, their third relegation in four seasons.
Scotland are knocked out of the COVID-19 delayed UEFA Euro 2020 at the group stage, with 1 point from 3 matches played.
All leagues above amateur level are connected for the first time as part of the senior pyramid system, after the SJFA East Region (Midlands League), SJFA North Region, and North Caledonian League join as feeders to the Highland League,with the winners of each of these leagues able to participate in the Scottish Cup regardless of licence with Carnoustie Panmure and Invergordon being the first teams to qualify from the Midlands League and North Caledonian League, respectively, under this system, with none from the SJFA North as Banks O' Dee won the league and the Scottish Cup place does not get passed down to the runner up.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is introduced to the Scottish Premiership on matchday 12 in October, having previously been used in Scotland for games at UEFA Euro 2020, as well as Champions League group stage, and Europa League knockout stage matches.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle become the first finalists to have been eliminated in the same tournament, after they lost 2–0 to Queen's Park, but were reinstated after it was found out Queen's Park fielded an ineligible player. They lost 3–1 to Celtic in the final.
Albion Rovers are relegated out of the SPFL, losing 2–1 on aggregate to The Spartans, after 120 years in the league setup.
In a match against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen set a new record for the longest time spent winning a game before losing, with Connor Barron's 62nd second opener being cancelled out in stoppage time with a Mark O'Hara penalty in the 90+6th minute before conceding again in the 90+7th minute to Toyosi Olusanya, where Aberdeen had been winning for 94 minutes. It is unknown what the previous record was. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, was also in attendance following the IFAB Summit at Loch Lomond.
At a summit at Loch Lomond, the IFAB discuss the controversial implementation of Blue Cards, where it is decided that trials of the cards will not be implemented further than grassroots level.
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