Celtic’s badge change against LASK raises Champions League kit questions

Something was noticeably different about Celtic’s home shirt during their Champions League victory over LASK, with the Lisbon Lions tribute missing from the club crest.

The Hoops’ 2026/27 home kit was specifically designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions’ European Cup triumph. Celtic’s original version of the shirt features a special anniversary crest, with gold laurel detailing and the Portuguese wording “60º ANIVERSÁRIO” surrounding the traditional badge.

However, that design was absent during the 3-0 victory over LASK. Instead, Celtic players wore the standard circular crest with the gold star above it, without the anniversary decoration.

UEFA’s equipment regulations do allow clubs to use special emblems to commemorate jubilees or significant occasions. However, such designs must receive UEFA approval and cannot exceed 100cm².

Celtic have yet to explain why the anniversary detailing was missing against LASK. It is also unclear whether the full Lisbon Lions version of the crest was submitted to UEFA for approval.

As a result, it would be premature to suggest that UEFA rejected the design or that Celtic deliberately removed it. The reason for the unusual change remains unclear.