When it comes to the roots of soccer, England often takes the spotlight, but let’s not forget Scotland’s major role in the early development of the beautiful game.
Scotland is home to several soccer clubs competing across various levels, with a total of 42 vying for glory in the top four tiers: the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Championship, Scottish League One, and Scottish League Two.
What sets Scotland apart is the fervor surrounding its soccer culture, boasting some of the most popular and globally followed clubs.
Names like Celtics, Rangers, Aberdeen, and Dundee United are not just local legends – they resonate on the European and worldwide soccer stage, solidifying Scotland’s place in the heart of the beautiful game.
Today on CheapGoals, we’re checking out the top 10 most successful football clubs in Scotland and finding the ultimate winner among them.
So, without delay, let’s dive in.
- 1. Rangers FC (117 Titles)
- 2. Celtic FC (116 Titles)
- 3. Aberdeen FC (19 Titles)
- 4. Heart of Midlothian FC (16 Titles)
- 5. Hibernian FC (10 Titles)
- 6. Queen’s Park (10 Titles)
- 7. Kilmarnock (5 Titles)
- Dundee United FC (5 Titles)
- 8. Motherwell FC (4 Titles)
- 9. St. Mirren FC (4 Titles)
- 10. Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC
- Who Is The Most Successful Team In Scotland?
- Who has won more trophies Celtic or Rangers?
- Who won the most Scottish League titles?
- What is the biggest club in Scotland?
- Who is the 3rd biggest club in Scotland?
- How many times has Rangers won the Scottish Cup?
- How many Scottish League titles have Celtic won?
- Who is the famous five Scottish football?
- Which Scottish team has the most fans?
- What is the oldest club in Scotland?
- Who has the biggest football stadium in Scotland?
- Who was the first Scottish club to play in Europe?
1. Rangers FC (117 Titles)
- Nickname: The Gers
- Home Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
- Colors: Royal blue, white
- League Titles: 55
- Scottish Cup Wins: 34
Rangers Football Club stands tall as the most successful team in Scotland, boasting an impressive record of 55 league titles, 34 Scottish Cups, and 27 League Cups.
Their total tally of 117 major honors, including the 2021–22 Scottish Cup, represents over 34% of all titles won by Scottish soccer teams.
2. Celtic FC (116 Titles)
- Founding Year: 1887
- Stadium: Celtic Park
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland
- Ground Capacity: 60,411
- Nickname: The Bhoys
Hot on the heels of Rangers is their arch-rival, Celtic, with 53 league titles, 41 Scottish Cups, and 21 League Cups.
Although slightly trailing Rangers, Celtic remains a football giant, with a total of 116 major honors, including the 2022–23 Scottish Cup.
3. Aberdeen FC (19 Titles)
- Home Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
- Team Colours: Red and white
- League Titles: 4
- Scottish Cup Wins: 7
- Scottish League Cup Wins: 6
Aberdeen takes the third spot with 4 league titles, 7 Scottish Cups, and 6 League Cups. Their noteworthy achievement was the 2013–14 Scottish League Cup, contributing to their total of 19 major honors.
4. Heart of Midlothian FC (16 Titles)
- Founded: 1874
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Home Stadium: Tynecastle Park
- Capacity: 19,852
- League: Scottish Championship
Heart of Midlothian, commonly known as Hearts, has won 4 league titles and 8 Scottish Cups, with their last major honor coming from the 2011–12 Scottish Cup.
They stand in fourth place with a total of 16 major honors.
5. Hibernian FC (10 Titles)
- Home Stadium: Easter Road, Edinburgh
- Team Colours: Green & White
- League Titles: 4
- Scottish Cup Wins: 3
- Scottish League Cup Wins: 3
Hibernian, or Hibs, secures the fifth position with 4 league titles and 3 Scottish Cups, including the 2015–16 Scottish Cup. Their total of 10 major honors cements their status as a prominent force in Scottish football.
6. Queen’s Park (10 Titles)
- Home Stadium: Hampden Park
- Team Colours: White & Black
- League Titles: Nil
- Scottish Cup Wins: 10
- Scottish League Cup Wins: Nil
Queen’s Park may not have won a league title, but their 10 Scottish Cups, with the first coming in the 1892–93 season, earn them a respectable sixth place with a total of 10 major honors.
7. Kilmarnock (5 Titles)
- Home Stadium: Rugby Park
- Nickname: Killie
- Colours: Blue and white
- League Titles: 1
- Scottish Cup Wins: 3
Kilmarnock holds the sixth spot with 1 league title and 3 Scottish League Cups, their last major honor dating back to the 2011–12 season. They have a total of 5 major honors to their name.
Dundee United FC (5 Titles)
- Home Stadium: Tannadice Park
- Founded: 1909
- Location: Dundee, Scotland
- League: Scottish Championship
- Major Honors: Scottish Premier Division (1), Scottish Cup (2), Scottish League Cup (2)
Dundee United occupies the sixth position too with 1 league title and 2 Scottish Cups, contributing to their total of 5 major honors, the last of which was secured in the 2009–10 season.
8. Motherwell FC (4 Titles)
- Home Stadium: Fir Park
- Nickname: The Steelmen
- Colors: Claret and Amber
- League Titles: 1
- Scottish Cup Wins: 2
Motherwell sits seventh with 1 league title and 2 Scottish Cups, the last major honor being the 1990–91 Scottish Cup. Their total of 4 major honors places them alongside St Mirren and East Fife.
9. St. Mirren FC (4 Titles)
- Formation Year: 1877
- League: Scottish Championship
- Location: Paisley, Scotland
- Stadium: St. Mirren Park
- Capacity: 7,937
They are considered one of the most successful football teams in Scotland with a rich history dating back to their formation in 1877. The club currently competes in the Scottish Championship, the second tier of Scottish football.
With 3 Scottish Cups and 1 Scottish League Cup, St. Mirren has had success in domestic cup competitions. They also won the Scottish First Division in 1977.
10. Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC
- Year Formed: 1994
- Home Stadium: Caledonian Stadium
- Nickname: The Caley Jags
- Manager: John Robertson
- Major Honors: Scottish Cup (1)
With 1 Scottish Cup and 1 Scottish First Division title, Inverness Caledonian Thistle has had some success in Scottish football. They also reached the final of the Scottish League Cup in 2014.
Who Is The Most Successful Team In Scotland?
Rangers Football Club, or simply Rangers, is the most successful team in Scotland.
They’ve won 117 major honors in various domestic and international competitions, which is a little over 34% of all titles won by Scottish soccer teams. Rangers have a slight edge over their main rivals, Celtic, who have four fewer titles at 113.
| Rank | Club | League | SC | LC | UCL | CWC | USC | Total | Last trophy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | 55 | 34 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 117 | 2021–22 Scottish Cup |
| 2 | Celtic | 53 | 41 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 2022–23 Scottish Cup |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 4 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 2013–14 Scottish League Cup |
| 4 | Heart of Midlothian | 4 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2011–12 Scottish Cup |
| 5 | Hibernian | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2015–16 Scottish Cup |
| Queen’s Park | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1892–93 Scottish Cup | |
| 7 | Kilmarnock | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2011–12 Scottish League Cup |
| Dundee United | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2009–10 Scottish Cup | |
| Dundee | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1973–74 Scottish League Cup | |
| 10 | Motherwell | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1990–91 Scottish Cup |
| St Mirren | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2012–13 Scottish League Cup | |
| East Fife | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1953–54 Scottish League Cup | |
| 13 | Dumbarton | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1891–92 Scottish Football League |
| Third Lanark | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1904–05 Scottish Cup | |
| Clyde | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1957–58 Scottish Cup | |
| Vale of Leven | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1878–79 Scottish Cup | |
| St Johnstone | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2020–21 Scottish Cup | |
| 18 | Dunfermline Athletic | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1967–68 Scottish Cup |
| Falkirk | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1956–57 Scottish Cup | |
| Renton | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1887–88 Scottish Cup | |
| Partick Thistle | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1971–72 Scottish League Cup | |
| 22 | Airdrieonians (1878) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1923–24 Scottish Cup |
| Greenock Morton | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1921–22 Scottish Cup | |
| St Bernard’s | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1894–95 Scottish Cup | |
| Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2014–15 Scottish Cup | |
| Livingston | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2003–04 Scottish League Cup | |
| Raith Rovers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1994–95 Scottish League Cup | |
| Ross County | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2015–16 Scottish League Cup |
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Wrapping Up
Scotland is famous for its passionate football fans, and among the many successful teams, one shines the brightest – the Celtic Football Club in Glasgow. Established in 1887, Celtic boasts a remarkable record with 51 Scottish League titles, 40 Scottish Cups, and 20 Scottish League Cups.
In 1967, they even won the prestigious European Cup (now called the UEFA Champions League).
Their intense rivalry with Glasgow’s other major team, Rangers, has only heightened their success and popularity.
FAQs
Who has won more trophies Celtic or Rangers?
Rangers (117)
Who won the most Scottish League titles?
Rangers (55)
What is the biggest club in Scotland?
Celtic & Rangers
The two most famous clubs in Scotland are Rangers and Celtic. Both play their football in Glasgow. Celtic were the first British team to win the European cup and Rangers are the most successful club in the world domestically.
Who is the 3rd biggest club in Scotland?
Aberdeen is probably the third biggest club but Hearts have the biggest support outwith ourselves and the tims
How many times has Rangers won the Scottish Cup?
34 times
The Scottish Cup 34 times, the Scottish League Cup a record 27 times, and the domestic treble on seven occasions.
How many Scottish League titles have Celtic won?
53 titles
Celtic are one of only five clubs in the world to have won over 100 trophies. The club has won the Scottish league championship 53 times, most recently in 2022–23, the Scottish Cup 41 times and the Scottish League Cup 21 times.
Who is the famous five Scottish football?
The Famous Five is the collective term for Hibernian’s forward line of Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull and Willie Ormond.
Which Scottish team has the most fans?
- Rangers 1,343,925.
- Celtic 1,117,073.
- Aberdeen 295,167.
- Hearts 277,425.
- Dundee 128,625.
- Hibs 93,383.
- Kilmarnock 88,843.
- Motherwell 71,092.
What is the oldest club in Scotland?
Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park is the oldest football club in Scotland, having been founded in 1867, and is the 10th oldest in the world.
Who has the biggest football stadium in Scotland?
Celtic Park 60,832
Hampden Park 52,025
Who was the first Scottish club to play in Europe?
Hibernian Football Club
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