1 April 2025
About 30 former players had launched a class action against Celtic plc for damages.
Thompsons Solicitors said that 70% of those cases had now been settled and that further settlements are expected in the coming weeks.
Celtic had indicated last year that it was seeking to settle the cases.
Several former coaches and officials at the boys club have been convicted in recent years of sexual offences against teenage players spanning decades.
In 2023, a judge gave the go-ahead for a US style “class action” group litigation to proceed against Celtic for alleged abuses at Celtic Boys Club.
The boys club was established as a feeder team to the senior Celtic side in 1966 and the two clubs had close ties, sharing players, officials and premises.
Celtic had always insisted that it was not responsible because the boys club was an “entirely different organisation”.
But lawyers led by Patrick McGuire acting for the former players argued that the boys club and Celtic were “intimately connected” and the senior club was “vicariously liable” for assaults carried out.
Celtic paedophiles Jim Torbett and Frank Cairney, a former coach to the Boys Club.
The litigation relates to historical claims of sexual assault by convicted paedophiles Jim Torbett – the founder of the Boys Club – and Frank Cairney, a former coach.
Laura Connor, from Thompsons Solicitors, said her firm’s clients had wanted their voices to be heard, but the indicvidualos involved had received no apologies so far as she knew.
“This litigation has been made far more complex and lengthy by the defender, while our clients have acted with resolute dignity throughout,” she said.
“At long last they have achieved success and can take this compensation as confirmation that Celtic Boys Club was indeed inextricably linked to Celtic Football Club.”
Media reports from Glasgow said: “Solicitors acting for the victims claimed that yesterday’s landmark settlement proves the two teams were inextricably linked.”
Celtic bosses last night said they were “very sorry that these events took place at Celtic Boys Club”.
Once promising footballers told of their relief over the historic, long-awaited deal to secure millions of pounds in a justice fight that has been drawn out for decades.
One victim — who was abused aged 12 — said: “I’m just pleased it’s finally come to an end.
“As for Celtic, they haven’t said much for years and years anyway so I don’t suppose they will come out with anything now.
“It’s just a feeling of relief and we can move on and I don’t want to dwell on it anymore.
“I just want to put it behind me. It’s also a relief for my family, without a doubt.”
Celtic have long held the position that the club youth set-up — founded by Torbett in 1966 — was not linked to the professional operation.
Victims insisted the two operations were one and the same — a position backed up by yesterday’s revelations about a settlement deal.
Ms Connor added: “I would say that our clients can take that the compensation payments have now been made to them to fully compensate them are an acceptance by Celtic that they were responsible for Celtic Boys Club and responsible for the coaches and managers at the club and they were effectively as one.
“It was one of the bases of our case that Celtic were vicariously liable for the actions of the managers and coaches of Celtic Boys Club.”
“And that means that they are responsible for them because they were employees of Celtic Plc.
“So that’s what vicarious liability is. The responsibility that employers have over employees. I mean, there haven’t been any formal admissions in that respect, but certainly our clients can take their compensation as confirmation of that.”
Around 30 survivors who suffered sexual abuse while playing for Celtic Boys Club in the 1970s, 80s and 90s launched a US-style “class action” lawsuit under new Scottish group proceedings legislation.
It is understood that a small number of cases have yet to be settled, meaning the group litigation and individual cases remain active — with the possibility of similar group actions in future.
Ms Connor yesterday also hailed the victims who had helped her team gather powerful evidence to secure pay-outs, the level of which have not so far been revealed. And she said responsibility for the lengthy process lies firmly in Celtic’s court.
She said: “The defence that has been taken by Celtic throughout the cases [that the club and the boys’ club were two separate entities] is why they have taken so long to progress.
“There’s not been a point at which concessions have been made until the very recent indications that they were willing to settle the cases.”
The statement from Celtic, issued last night, was almost the same as one issued five years ago when the club said it was “very sorry that these events took place”.
Failing to confirm unequivocally that the pro team and Celtic Boys Club were part of the same entity, Celtic chiefs said yesterday: “For some time, we have sought to work with the group members’ lawyers to reach a resolution.
“The Club acknowledges the strength of the survivors of [sedxual] abuse who have come forward, and hope that this resolution may help to bring them some closure.
“Celtic Football Club is appalled by any form of historic abuse and has great sympathy for those who suffered abuse and for their families.
“The Club is very sorry that these events took place at Celtic Boys’ Club. The Club takes this abuse extremely seriously because of the historic contacts between the two organisations.
“The [sexual] abuse of young people is an abhorrent crime which has unfortunately affected many areas of society. The Club continues to work with Scottish football to make it a safe place for all young people.”
As news of the settlement emerged, justice campaigners issued their reaction.
Lawyer Laura Connor said: “It will never make up for what has happened.”
A spokesman for Celtic justice group Spotlight said: “Spotlight is glad that the process is finally coming to an end but it remains to be seen if the compensation payments meet the claimant’s expectation.
“In addition, the claims of further victims of Torbett and Cairney, and victims of the other serial paedophiles protected for decades — especially the families of those victims whose lives were lost prematurely through drug or alcohol abuse — have yet to be addressed.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay MSP said: “There has long been abundant evidence of an organised network of predators using Celtic FC’s boys club to sexually abuse children, yet victims were treated with pure contempt and forced to fight for justice over many long and painful years.
“Victims of industrial-scale abuse in Scottish football were failed by the club and Scotland’s justice system, but continue to be failed by the SNP government, which refuses to do the right thing and extend the remit of the child abuse inquiry.”
Scottish Labour’s justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill added: “The bravery of these former players must serve as a reminder for all organisations to prioritise child safety and ensure there are always appropriate safeguards in place.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our sympathies are with all victims of historical abuse. “We are focused on ensuring the safety, rights and wellbeing of children involved in football, and all other sports, and will continue to work with partners including sportscotland and the Scottish football authorities to ensure safeguarding is a priority at all levels.”
Celtic has thousands of supporters in West Dunbartonshire, but they were reluctant to comment on this last night.
One man who refused to be named said: “We feel let down by the Celtic directors who should have dealt with this matter immediately they knew about it.
“Every communications director knows the only way to deal with a scandal such as this is to confront the allegations immediately, not to go into denial and allow it run and run for a number of years bringing their organisation into disrepute as happened in this case.”