MATCH 1586 - Sunday, 14 December 2014

Season:  2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    4    ST. MIRREN    1

Scorers:  Brown(2), Forrest, Stokes; Kelly

Top v Bottom clash and it showed throughout.  Had Celtic's finishing been better they would have bettered their top score of seven against the Saints which has been achieved on a number of occasions over the seasons.  However like so many games this particular season the finishing was well below par.

Personal note:

55th League match between the sides;

64th St Mirren match overall since 1981

26th match of the season

MATCH 1585 - Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Season: 2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    PARTICK THISTLE    0

Scorer: van Dijk

Second meeting of the Glasgow sides at Celtic Park this season but no repeat of the six goals scored in the League Cup tie.

Overall - my 31st match between these two - 26 in League.
First of these matches was in 1982 when I watched the first from the "Jungle" first half anyway before moving as you could in '82 to the behind the goal at the old "Rangers end".  Thistle were 2-0 up before a late comeback forced a 2-2 draw.

MATCH 1584 - Saturday, 29 November 2014

Season:  2014/15
ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP
Venue:  STADIUM OF LIGHT

SUNDERLAND     0     CHELSEA     0

Despite the blank score line it was an exciting match enhanced from playing under the floodlights of the aptly named stadium.

Personal note:  6th Chelsea match all in the north of England spanning nearly 30 years.

MATCH 1583 - Thursday, 27 November 2014

SEASON: 2014/15

Group Stage

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    RED BULL SALZBURG    3

Scorers:  Johansen; Alan (2), Keita

This was the 9th Europa League match Celtic have played since the competition was revamped and despite a defeat to a good Austrian side Celtic progressed from the group stage for the first time.

MATCH 1582 - Saturday, 22 November 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    DUNDEE    1

Scorers:  Stokes, Guidetti;  Clarkston

Match no. 22 of the season for me. 


57th Dundee match all bar one v Dundee.  The other was against Airdrie.

MATCH 1578 - Saturday, 25 October 2014

Season: 2014/15
ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP
Venue:  STADIUM OF LIGHT

SUNDERLAND    0    ARSENAL    2

Scorer: Sanchez(2)

MATCH 1581 - Saturday, 1 November 2014

Season: 2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    INVERNESS CT    0

Scorer:  Guidetti

MATCH 1580 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Season:  2014/15
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP - Quarter Final
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    6    PARTICK THISTLE    0

Scorers:  Guidetti(3), Izagurrie, Griffiths(2)

MATCH 1579 - Sunday, 26 October 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    KILMARNOCK    0

Scorers:  Guidetti, Scepovic

MATCH 1577 - Thursday, 23 October 2014

SEASON: 2014/15
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Group Stage
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    FC ASTRA    1

Scepovic, Johansen;  Enache

MATCH 1576 - Sunday, 5 October 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    0    HAMILTON    1

Scorer: Crawford

Celtic's stop start season continued with another unexpected home defeated.  Hamilton arrived at Celtic Park ahead of Celtic in the title race and by the end of the game, after a well drilled performance, extended their lead over the champions and also claimed top spot in of the SPL.

MATCH 1575 - Thursday, 2 October 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - GROUP STAGE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    DINAMO ZAGREB    0

Scorer:  Commons

My 107th Celtic tie in European competition, the second v Dinamo Zagreb and like the previous encounter this one ended in a 1-0 Celtic victory.

It was a sublime Kris Commons goal gave which gave Celtic the victory in this Europa League tie.  However it was an inspired performance from Craig Gordon which prevented the Croatian side from taking something from the game.

MATCH 1574 - Saturday, 27 September 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue:  BLOOMFIELD ROAD

BLACKPOOL    1    NORWICH CITY    3

Scorers:  Delfouneso; O.G. (Daniels), Grabban, Murphy

Second bottom v Second top!

Third occasion watching Norwich since 2009 and their third win. After two 1-0 victories over Carlisle and Celtic this was a much better game and performance.  This one was achieved the hard way as they needed to come from behind after missing a number of good first half chances

With this victory Norwich went top of the league.
And Blackpool are now bottom!

Personal note:  10th Blackpool game since 1981, 8 of which at Bloomfield Road.

MATCH 1573 - Wednesday, 24 September 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP - 3rd ROUND
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    3    HEARTS    0

Scorers: Guidetti, Commons, O.G.

John Guidetti scored his first goal for Celtic against Championship Hearts.  Hearts missed a penalty at 1-0 and blew their chance to put Celtic under real pressure.

This was the 5th time I've attended this fixture in the League Cup and only the second win recorded by Celtic.

My previous ties between the sides:

1990 - Hearts 2 Celtic 2 (Celtic won on pens.)

1997 - Hearts 1 Celtic 0

2007 - Celtic 0 Hearts 2

2009 - Celtic 0 Hearts 1

MATCH 1572 - Sunday, 21 September 2014

SEASON: 2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    MOTHERWELL    1

Scorer:  Commons;  Sutton.

Celtic fans sing "we don't care if we win, lose or draw" but they do care when their team produce bad performances. Celtic are struggling badly at the moment and their stop start season continued with another disappointing display in their 6th SPL match of the season.  This time at home to a Motherwell side which has also had a poor start to their campaign.

A smartly taken goal by Chris Sutton's younger brother, John gave Motherwell the lead which they held until conceding a penalty midway through the second half.


Personal note:  12th match of the season, 112th Motherwell match overall.

MATCH 1571 - Saturday, 13 September 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    ABERDEEN    1

Scorers:  Denayer, Commons;  Goodwillie

Three new Celts made their debuts - Aleksandar Tonev (Bulgaria) and Stefan Scepovic (Serbia) started the match while John Guidetti (Sweden) came on as a second half sub.
I thought Aberdeen would have been a bigger threat than proved to be the case.  It was until they were 2-0 down that they wakened up.
It was a small step in the right direction for Ronny Deila's side.



Personel note:  113th Match I've attended between the sides

MATCH 1570 - Saturday, 30 August 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
Venue:  RECREATION PARK

ALLOA ATHLETIC    2    HIBERNIAN    1

Scorer:  Buchanan, Flannigan;  Cummings

My first visit to Alloa's Recreation Park and first time watching Hibs after over 100 matches in lower league football.

£18 pound for a trip back in time to how Scottish grounds used to be.  Primitive little grandstand and very basic terracing.  I booked my ticket through Hibernian and stood with their long suffering fans.  It wasn't a good afternoon for them.  There is free parking adjacent the away end of the ground and nearby fast food restaurants - KFC & McDonalds plus supermarket - Morrisons to meet most of the fans needs.

The plastic pitch looked fantastic but seemed to contribute to an ankle injury to Hibs centre forward, El Alagui just before half time.

After taking a deserved lead early in the match Hibs totally fell out of the game and gradually Alloa came more and more into it.  The winning goal was a very well taken free kick.  

Hibs have a group of players going nowhere and an inexperienced manager - not a good combination.

This was my 89th ground in total.

3rd Alloa match (3 different opponents).

MATCH 1569 - Tuesday, 26 August 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIYING ROUND 2nd LEG
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    0    MARIBOR    1

Scorer:  Tavares

This was the first time I'd seen Celtic take on Slovenian opposition.  At best they were modest opponents and the defeat was possibly the worst European home defeat that I have witnessed.  If not it was certainly on a par with Dynamo Moscow in 2009.

Celtic Park was near capacity for the first time since the last Champions League night last November but the players could not respond to the challenge.

MATCH 1568 - Sunday, 24 august 2014

Season:  2014/15
ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP
Venue: STADIUM OF LIGHT


SUNDERLAND   1  MANCHESTER UNITED  1

Scorers:  Rodwell;  Mata

We travelled by train for our first chance to see Louis van Gaal's Manchester United, he clearly has a big task on his hands to return the reds to the top of English football. 
We left Airdrie at 9.40am and arrived in Sunderland at 1pm via Edinburgh and Newcastle.  All train connections going out and back went smoothly making for a pleasant and enjoyable day.

This was my 30th Sunderland match and 4th encounter v Man United.

 

MATCH 1567 - Saturday, 16 August 2014

SEASON: 2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    6    DUNDEE UNITED    1

Scorers: Denayer, Commons, Johansen, Stokes, Berget(2); 

Rankin

The first match of the season at Celtic Park.  Home debuts for four players today - Craig Gordon who has replaced Fraser Forster as Celtis's No. 1, Callum McGregor returning to the club after a very successful season with Notts County, and two loan players 19 year old Simon Denayer (Man City) and Jo Inge Berget (Cardiff City).  

It was also new manager Ronny Deila's first taste of Celtic Park.

Two of the debutants scored their first goals for Celtic - Denayer & Berget.

Fergus McCann the club's great visionary from the '90's returned to the stadium he built to raise the 45th league flag before kick off.

United's last trip to Celtic Park was the Scottish Cup final in May and this visit was not anymore pleasant for them.

Personal: New seats in section 445 of North Stand upper.

7th match of new season - 3rd Celtic game.

MATCH 1566 - Monday, 11 August 2014

SEASON 2014/15
ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP 1st ROUND
Venue:  BRUNTON PARK


CARLISLE UNITED   0   DERBY COUNTY   2
Scorers:  Hendrick, Martin

Just like last season we attended the first match of the English League Cup.  Steve McLaren brought his much fancied Championship side to Carlisle and done a thoroughly professional job on their League Two opponents.

Carlisle did have their moment when a terrific free kick crashed off the crossbar in the second half just before Derby took the lead.
The player who impressed most on the night was Derby's Simon Dawkins.

This was the second occasion seeing Derby and like the first they beat a United team 2-0 away! (Previous Derby match: 1989 Manchester United 0 Derby County 2)

MATCH 1565 - Saturday, 9 August 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
ENGLISH LEAGUE DIVISION 2
Venue:  PRENTON PARK


TRANMERE ROVERS    1    YORK CITY    1
Scorers:  Rowe;  Lowe

Start of new football league season in England and while on a short break to Southport we had a few opportunities to visit a new ground.  We decided to catch the Northern Line train from Southport and head to Birkenhead (via Liverpool Central & the Wirral Line) for this one.
We got off at Birkenhead Central and walked the long and winding road that is Borough Road which goes straight past Prenton Park.

It was a fair old walk from the town centre and it didn't help that we were up against time.  There were very few fans walking to the game maybe due to the half hour walk.

As we were up against time we just paid at the cash turnstyle in the Kop end.  Prenton Park for a fouth tier league side is very impressive and a great view afforded from the back of the very tall Kop Stand which dwarfs the rest of the ground.

As for the game York were good and were only denied a deserved win by a last gasp Rovers equaliser.  I expected a big second half effort from the home side as they attacked the big Kop but it didn't really materialise.  They did get a draw in the end though.

MATCH 1564 - Wednesday, 6 August 2014

Season:  2014/15
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 2nd Leg
Venue:  MURRAYFIELD STADIUM(2)

CELTIC    0    LEGIA WARSAW    2

Scorers: Zyro, Kucharczyk

Celtic were comprehensively beaten by their Polish opponents in the Champions League qualifying round.  Playing their second match at their temporary home of Murrayfield in Edinburgh the players looked a shadow of the side under Neil Lennon. 

It was only my second time watching Polish club, the previous game also involved Legia when they played Manchester United in the former UEFA tournament called the Cup-Winners Cup.
The match looks like being Fraser Forster's last match for the club.  In four years Fraser has progressed to being an England international after performing at a very high standard in the Champions League and a with great consistency without his time at the club.

FLASH BACK - Match 511 - 24 April 1991

Season:  1990/91
UEFA CUP WINNERS CUP Semi Final 2nd Leg
Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  1  LEGIA WARSAW    1

Scorers: Sharp;  Kowalczyk

Great to attend a European semi final and although Man Utd are 3-1 from the first leg it is still an ocassion to remember.

MATCH 1563 - Tuesday, 29 July 2014

Sesason:  2014/15
Friendly
Venue:  Dumbarton FC Stadium (aka Bet Butler Stadium)

DUMBARTON    0    CARLISLE UNITED    2

Scorers:  Amoo. Dempsey

Interesting comparison between the strengths of sides in Scottish second tier against an English 4th tier team.  From start to finish Carlisle were well on top and Dumbarton caused their cross border opponents very little trouble.  The gulf in ability is no doubt reflected in the clubs wage bill.

Main reason for taking in the game as it was my first chance to visit Dumbarton's "new" home and replica of the previous new ground at East Fife with one Grandstand and nothing else around the rest of the ground.

A few milestones tonight:

1st visit to Dumbarton new stadium

10th Dumbarton match

20th Carlisle match





MATCH 1562 - Tuesday, 22 July 2014

SEASON 2014/15
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Qualifying Round 2nd Leg
Venue:  MURRAYFIELD STADIUM (2)

CELTIC    4    RK REYKJAVIK    0

Scorers: Van Dijk (2), Pukki (2)

Due to the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow, Celtic decided to use Murrayfield Stadium as their "home" ground.  This was the second match for me at the home of Scottish Rugby having seen Barcelona v Hearts there a few years ago.

Overall it was a good experience for the Celtic fans with fantastic weather, a day out for some in the capital, a chance to use the new tram system and a comfortable Celtic win.  The only downside was the  high volume of traffic into Edinburgh at rush hour.

It was my first match involving an Icelandic football club and the start of season no. 34 following Celtic.

MATCH 1561 - Saturday, 5 July 2014

SEASON:  2014/15
FRIENDLY
Venue:  BAYVIEW STADIUM

EAST FIFE    0    FULHAM    3

Scorers: Zverotić, Rodallega, Woodrow

First visit to Bayview for my first match of season 2014/15. The ground on the shore of the Fife coast was basked in sunshine for the pre-season match. 

Only second time seeing East Fife which gives them a record of 2 defeats and 5 goals conceded with zero scored.

As for Fulham this was the third time watching them which for a pre-season run out was much better than the previous random match I watched them in at Blackburn Rovers in 2009 which ended 1-1.  

Scott Parker and Hugo Rodallega were the well know players on show for Fulham while Gary Naysmith was playing for East Fife.

Summary: Season 2013/14

TOTAL MATCHES:   45

 

 

Breakdown:

• Celtic            34
• Non Celtic    11

 

Scottish Premier League -     24
Scottish League Div Two  -      1

Scottish Cup                -            4

Scottish League Cup   -            2

UEFA Champions League -     6

English FA Premiership   -       1

English FA Cup                    -   3
English League Cup           -     3

Friendlies                          -       1

 

MATCH 1560 - Saturday, 17 May 2014

Season:  2013/14
129th SCOTTISH CUP FINAL
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                        
      

ST JOHNSTONE   2   DUNDEE UNITED   0

Scorers: Anderson, MacLean

St Johnstone were victorious in the 129th Scottish Cup Final - their first major cup success in their 130 year history.

Dubbed the Armageddon Final by the Tayside fans ridiculing the Scottish media's prediction of Scottish football going into meltdown post 2012.

St Johnstone played well and unlike their opponents got the breaks on the day to win the match, the cup and book their place in Europe next season.

Personal note:  45th match of the season (30th at Celtic Park);

4th Scottish Cup match.

MATCH 1559 - Sunday, 11 May 2014

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

                          

CELTIC    3     DUNDEE UNITED     1

Scorers:  Stokes, Samaras, Commons;  O.G.

Final Celtic match of the season and as well as receiving the Premier League trophy the club said goodbye to a number of good servants.  Assistant manager Johan Mjallby and cult Greek striker Georgios Samaras will leave the club this summer.

Cup finalists, United enjoyed a lot of possession in the first half without making a clear cut chance.  All the goals arrived in the second half as the season ended on a high for Celtic.

Personal note:  34th Celtic match of the season.

MATCH 1558 - Saturday, 3 May 2014

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

                       



CELTIC     5     ABERDEEN     2
Scorers:  Brown(2), Stokes, Common(2);  McGinn, Logan

A very enjoyable game considering the title was wrapped up weeks ago.  A good atmosphere created by the away fans who were visiting Celtic Park for the fourth time this season.

Before the game the Celtic Way was opened outside the main stand to modernise the surrounding area of the stadium:

 

FLASHBACK - MATCH 220 - 3 May 1986

Season:  1985/86
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  ST MIRREN PARK

ON THIS DAY...........28 YEARS AGO

HEAVEN FOR CELTIC;  HEARTBREAK FOR HEARTS!

ST MIRREN     0     CELTIC     5
Scorers:  McCLAIR(2), JOHNSTON(2), McSTAY

Celtic went to St Mirren Park  aka Love Street two points behind Hearts to conclude an indifferent season but with an outside chance of winning the league.  Hearts were in Dundee expecting to wrap up the title.  Celtic had been inconsistant in the early part of the season but had won the last seven going into this last match to put a little pressure on the league leaders.

Celtic came out all guns blazing and played the most amazing 45 minutes of football to take a 4 nil half time lead.  This included the ultimate team goal goal with a sweeping move involving Danny McGrain, Murdo MacLeod, Paul McStay, Roy Aitken, Brian McClair and finished by Johnston.

McClair added a fifth in a subdued second half until 8 minutes from time when the Celtic end went crazy as news came through the many wirelesses that Dundee had scored.  They scored again and Celtic unbelievably won their 34th Scottish Championship.

GOD BLESS ALBERT KIDD

MATCH 1557 - Sunday, 27 April 2014

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

                               

CELTIC    6    INVERNESS CT    0

Scorers:  Stokes(3), Griffiths, Ambrose, Pukki

Goal fest at Celtic Park!

Hat trick for Anthony Stokes

Personal note:  20th match involving Inverness Caley Thistle.

42nd match of the season (32 Celtic matches).

MATCH 1556 - Saturday, 12 April 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH CUP SEMI FINAL
Venue:  IBROX STADIUM

RANGERS    1    DUNDEE UNITED    3

Scorers: Smith; Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Ciftci

• 

Dundee United didn't play as well as they did last week against Celtic but took their chances which sees them into the Scottish Cup Final at Celtic Park.

The new Rangers club played well in front of a home crowd and rose to the semi final occasion.  
My ticket was in the Govan Stand rear which is my favourite viewing position in the ground.
I was up against time before the game so I had to use the Glasgow Underground but thankfully it wasn't overly busy and I got to Ibrox in time for kick off.  After the match I walked back into town - it's a good 40-50 minute walk

Personal note:  1st visit to Ibrox in over 10 years. 54th match overall. 

MATCH 1555 - Saturday, 5 April 2014

Season: 2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: TANNADICE

                          

DUNDEE UNITED    0    CELTIC    2

Scorers:  Samaras, Stokes

My 40th match of the season but only my 6th Celtic away game.  A good match overall with the highlight Anthony Stokes well worked goal.

MATCH 1554 - Saturday, 29 March 2014

Season: 2013/14 (39th)
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                                

CELTIC    1    ROSS COUNTY    1

Scorers:  Commons;  De Leeuw

After clinching the league title on Wednesday evening at Partick Celtic gave a sub-standard performance at home to Ross County and a very poor game ended in a score draw.

O'Connell made his debut in central defence.

My 30th Celtic match of the season.


6th time I've attended this fixture - 
4 at Celtic & 1 each at Hampden and Dingwall.
Celtic 3 wins; Ross County 2 wins & 1 draw
SPL 4 games and 2 in Scottish Cup.

MATCH 1553 - Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  FIRHILL

                 

PARTICK THISTLE    1     CELTIC     5

Scorers: Elliott; Stokes(2), Henderson, Johansen, Commons

Celtic clinch their 45th Scottish title with five goals in Maryhill.  Liam Henderson a second half sub scores his first goal for the Celtic. 

Personnel note: First title was 1982 v St Mirren 3-0 home win.

MATCH 1552 - Saturday, 22 March 2014

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

                   

CELTIC    3    ST MIRREN    0

Scorers:  Johansen, Griffiths, Stokes

Stefan Johansen, Celtic winter window signing from Norway scored his first goal for the club with a neatly taken header just before half time, while the other two goals came in the second half from regular scorers Griffiths and Stokes.

Personnel note:  62nd Celtic-St Mirren encounter

MATCH 1551 - Sunday, 16 March 2014

Season: 2013/14
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP FINAL
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                              

ABERDEEN    0    INVERNESS CT    0

after extra time

Aberdeen won 4-2 on penalities

Celtic Park was turned red for a day as over 40,000 Aberdeen fans gathered in hope of winning their first trophy since 1995.  Inverness the huge underdogs battled all the way and made the big Dons support wait and sweat for their triumph. Which eventually came as Aberdeen players held their nerve to convert all four penalty kicks in the shoot out after 120 goalless minutes.

It meant Aberdeen had gone through the competition without conceding a goal.

I went a long with my son and we sat in the Inverness end curious to see the final at Celtic Park and the large Aberdeen support.  Celtic Park was a great venue and helped create a wonderful atmosphere. 

MATCH 1550 - Friday, 14 March 2014

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

                                      

KILMARNOCK    0    CELTIC    3

Scorer:  Commons(3)

Kris Commons became the latest Celt to notch a hat-trick in recent weeks with three second half goals.  The novelty of Friday night football (introduced to SPL this season) encouraged a large away support of 5000 in an overall crowd of 7500.

Highlight of the night was the two Celtic ends singing "C'mon you Bhoys in Green" to each other, unless ofcourse you are Kris Commons!

Personnel note:  35th match of the season

MATCH 1549 - Saturday, 1 March 2014

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

                                 

CELTIC    5    INVERNESS CT    0

Scorers:  Griffiths(3), Mulgrew, Commons

Witnessed Leigh Griffiths score for the first time for Celtic, he grabbed his first Celtic goal at home then went onto net another two to secure his first hat-trick for the club. 

All Scottish score sheet - doesn't seem to happen often.

MATCH 1548 - Sunday, 16 February 2014

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

                                

CELTIC     3     ST JOHNSTONE    0

Scorer: Stokes(3)

Anthony Stokes lit up the game with a well taken hat trick of goals. However the main achievement was Fraser Forster's continued run of clean sheets in SPL football.

Leigh Griffiths made his full debut following his recent move from Wolves.

33rd match of the season just 20 hours after the last one!

MATCH 1547 - Saturday, 15 February 2014

Season 2013/14
ENGLISH FA CUP
Venue:   Etihad Stadium (City of Manchester Stadium)

                                 

MANCHESTER CITY    2    CHELSEA    0

Scorer:  Jovetic, Nasri

First visit to the very impressive Etihad Stadium.  City create a very friendly and fun atmosphere pre-match with the home players greeted by their young fans at the entrance of the stadium with a few light hearted competitions.  Around the other side of the ground is another stage with something for the adults.  Music and some fun in the form of "Blind Date" where a lucky new couple get treated to some hospitality - a nice touch.

The stadium is as good a modern stadium as I've been too and the home support must enjoy going their on a regular basis but if you've not managed to get this ground yet hopefully you get there soon.

We were in the second tier of the Family Stand (second row) great seats!  With 6,000 Chelsea fans in attendance it made for a good atmosphere.

This was the third time watching City this season and although a little understrengthed the real City turned up this time. 

All in all worth the long trip down from Scotland and special thanks to the Football Ground Guide for some good travel tips at:

http://www.footballgroundguide.com/manchester_city/

MATCH 1546 - Saturday, 8 February 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH CUP - 5th Round
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                             

  

CELTIC    1    ABERDEEN    2

Scorer: Stokes;  Anderson, Pawlett

Top tier closed and only 30,000 turned up for the tie of the round.  Aberdeen were confident and despite going a goal down were good enough to take the game to Celtic and out play them for much of the match.  Celtic's 4-2-4 formation played into their hands and Aberdeen where able to take a strangle hold on midfield.

Personal note:  10th Scottish Cup meeting these two sides.  Only the 3rd at Celtic Park.  Aberdeen winning six of the ties.

MATCH 1545 - Sunday, 2 February 2014

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

                            

CELTIC    1    ST. MIRREN    0

Scorer:  Commons

A record breaking day for Celtic's English goalkeeper Fraser Forster as he kept yet another clean sheet.

MATCH 1544 - Wednesday, 29 January 2014

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

                       

CELTIC    4    KILMARNOCK    0

Scorer:  Ledley, O.G., Mulgrew, Balde

My 65th match between these sides.

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