MATCH 1543 - Sunday, 26 January 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  EASTER ROAD STADIUM

HIBERNIAN    0    CELTIC    4
Scorers:  Commons(2), Van Dijk, Pukki


Only my 3rd away match of the season (all in Edinburgh) and my second visit to Easter Road taking my overall number of visits to 42 since 1982.
Celtic continued their winning run in front of a disappointing crowd of 12,500.

Easter Road is easily the best stadium of its size in Britain and it's always good to go through to it. 

MATCH 1542 - Saturday,18 January 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                               

CELTIC    3    MOTHERWELL    0

Scorer:  Commons(2), O.G.

Celtic continue their dominance in the league with a convincing win over second placed Motherwell.  Celtic had Stokes sent off with 10 minutes remaining.

Celtic team:

Forster, Fisher, Izaguirre, Ledley, Ambrose (Balde), van Dijk, Brown, Mulgrew, Commons (Pukki), Forrest, Stokes 

Motherwell

Nielsen, Carswell, Hammell, Ainsworth (Kerr), Hutchinson, McManus, Francis-Angol, Lasley, Sutton (Anier), McFadden,Vigurs

MATCH 1541 - Saturday, 11 January 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
Venue:  Ochilview Park

                

EAST STIRLING    2    PETERHEAD    0

Scorer: Townsley, Greenhill

Attended match mainly just to tick off a Scottish ground that I've not been too since I started going to football over 30 years ago.  Good enough match as the home side stunned the league leaders.

Personal note:  My first match at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir and first time watching East Stirling; second Peterhead match.

MATCH 1540 - Sunday, 5th January 2014

Season: 2013/14
F.A. Cup - 3rd Round
Venue:  STADIUM OF LIGHT (20)

                   

 

SUNDERLAND    3    CARLISLE UNITED    1

Scorer:  Johnson, O.G., Ba;  Robson

~

Second FA Cup tie in two days this time Premiership v First Division.  6000 Carlisle fans travelled in hope of a shock against the bottom team in the Premiership.  Sunderland eventually prove too strong mainly due to Adam Johnson.

 

Personal note:  1st Carlisle away match

MATCH 1539 - Saturday, 4th January 2014

Season: 2013/14
F.A. CUP - 3rd Round
Venue:  EWOOD PARK (7)

                           

BLACBURN ROVERS    1    MANCHESTER CITY    1

 Scorers:  Dann;  Negredo

 

 

First of two FA Cup ties in two days.  Stayed overnight in Blackburn Travelodge ideal location for anyone visiting Ewood Park for a game.  We were not sure where to park but opted for Asda car park and walked down the hill (about 10-15 minute walk).  Great travelling support from City but they were not given much to shout about as their team gave an indifferent performance.  Blackburn had the best of the second half and were a little unfortunate no to edge the tie.

 

Personal note: 2nd time seeing both these teams this season. Overall totals now Rovers 12, City 5, FA Cup 8.

MATCH 1538 - New Years Day 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC     1    PARTICK THISTLE    0

Scorer:  Ledley

 

The new Glasgow derby

Played in terrible conditions as heavy rain drenched Celtic Park for the entire 90 minutes.  Thistle played the match as a derby but Celtic failed to rise to the occasion and were very fortunate to record another victory.

 

 

Personal note:

31st Partick Thistle match - 25th in SPL

 

 

 

MATCH 1537 - Saturday, 21 December 2013

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                  

CELTIC    2    HEARTS    0

Scorer:  Commons, Forrest

 

Top v bottom as Hearts play their last league match at Parkhead for a while as they head for the lower division football.  Just before Christmas and typically the crowd was poor and so was the game.  After losing seven in the cup Hearts defended in numbers and nearly stole a point when a last minute header was cleared off the line by goalscorer, Commons before second half sub, James Forrest wrapped up the win in injury time.

 

MATCH 1536 - Saturday, 14 December 2013

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                               

CELTIC     1     HIBERNIAN     0

Scorer:  Pukki 

 

Awful day for football - heavy rain, gusty winds and winter cold. Unfortunately the game mirrored the conditions.

Personal note:
103rd Battle of the Greens (90 in league)
108th Hibs match (92 in league)
 

MATCH 1535 - Sunday,1 December 2013

Season 2013/14
SCOTTISH CUP 4th ROUND
Venue:  TYNECASTLE STADIUM

               

HEARTS     0     CELTIC     7

Scorers: Commons(3), Brown(2), Ledley, Lustig,

An outrageous performance from Celtic to progress in the cup.  Nevermind the goals from start to finish the back four passed the ball for fun.  This was Celtic's biggest ever win over Hearts.

Personal note:  117th Celtic tie in the cup including 8 against Hearts

MATCH 1534 - Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Season:  2013/14

 

Group match - day 5

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

 

CELTIC    0     MILAN    3

Scorers: Kaka, Zapata, Balotelli

 

Great performance from Milan and a terrific atmosphere throughout.  After scoring a simple headed goal early in the game the confidence flowed through the side and they looked once again a seasoned Champions League team.  Unfortunately for Celtic the great Kaka of old turned up and gave a wonderful performance.  When he ran at the Celtic defence he was like a locomotive train.

 

Personal note: 6th occasion seeing Milan all in Champions League but only their second win.