MATCH 1630 - Saturday, 19 December 2015

Season:  2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    MOTHERWELL    2

Scorers:  Bitton;  Moult(2)

Celtic continued their poor home form losing to Motherwell who were worthy winners.  It means Celtic have gone four home games without a win and their last home win was back in October.

After a busy morning I got to the ground late but their was little action in the first half.  The second was much better with ex-Celt Scott McDonald the star play on the field.

After Motherwell turned the match on it's head by taking the lead on the hour Celtic failed to create any clear cut chances.

MATCH 1629 - Sunday, 29 November 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CALEDONIAN STADIUM (3)

Milestone:  *** 1400th CELTIC MATCH ***

INVERNESS CT    1    CELTIC    3

Scorers:  Storey;  McGregor, Griffiths, O.G.

A 350 mile round trip which included snow storms in the Cairngorms to watch a dour struggle.  The only real highlight came in the early stages of the match when McGregor scored another of this trademark goals, picking up the ball in midfield, running at the home defence then striking the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Personnel note: 3rd visit to Inverness; 25th meeting between the sides; Overall 27 Inverness matches.

MATCH 1628 - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Season:  2015/16
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Group Stage
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

Pre-match build up

CELTIC    1    AJAX    2

Scorers:  McGregor;  Milik, Cerny

Another disappointing experience in Europe for Celtic as a young hoops side was narrowly beaten by Ajax.  It was far from the vintage of 1982, 2001 or even 2013 when the sides went head to head in previous European campaigns.  This was the fifth time the clubs had faced each other in UEFA competition but the first meeting in the UEFA Europa League.  The match lacked a bit of quality compared to the great matches of the past and it was more like a B-match however it was still an exciting encounter as both sides went all out for the first win in the group.

Ajax fans packed out the away end and created a great noise throughout the match.

The scene is set

Kick off in front of 45,000 fans

Personnel note:  7th Ajax match overall including 4 European ties v Celtic all in Glasgow.

1982 - Celtic 2 Ajax 2 (My 1st European tie)

2001 - Celtic 0 Ajax 1  

2013 - Celtic 2 Ajax 1

MATCH 1627 - Saturday, 21 November 2015

Season 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    0    KILMARNOCK    0

Disappointing performance from Celtic as they are unable to find a way pass a packed Kilmarnock defence.  This was the second SPL match this season at Celtic Park which finished goalless.
A minutes silence was impeccably observed pre-match in recognition of the horrific attack in Paris on the Friday13th November. #PrayforParis

2nd half get underway

Personal note:  69th meeting I've seen between the sides of which 62 have been in the SPL; the 15th draw overall.

Celtic Park looking great under the lights!

MATCH 1626 - Thursday, 5 November 2015

SEASON:  2015/16
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - Group Stage
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

BLACK NIGHT FOR CELTS IN EUROPE

CELTIC    1    MOLDE    2

Scorers: Commons;  Elyounoussi; Hestad

This is a 5th of November that Celtic fans will remember for all the wrong reasons.  For 3 short years after beating the might of Barcelona Celtic suffer possibly their worse ever European home defeat.

Personal note:  Molde are the 199th club side I've seen but only the 2nd from Norway, Rosenborg in 2001 were the other club.

MATCH 1625 - Saturday, 31 October 2015

Season:  2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    3    ABERDEEN    1

Scorers:  Griffiths(2); Forrest;  Rooney

Scene is set

Top of the table clash as Celtic entertained Aberdeen on Halloween!  Griffiths scored a monster header just before half time, then a horror tackle on Commons gave Celtic a penalty early in the scored half which Griffiths duly scored from to make it two.  Forrest strike to put Celtic 3 up helped banish the ghost of defeat from Aberdeen earlier in the season.

Personal note:  My 115th match between the side of which 97 have been in Permier League

MATCH 1624 - Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Season:  2015/16
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP Quarter Final
Venue:  TYNECASTLE STADIUM

HEARTS    1    CELTIC    2

Scorers: Sutchuin-Djoum;  Griffiths, Rogic

A trip through to the capital to play Hearts is always eventful and this one had the added spice of being cup quarter final.  The first half past with few chances for either side.  In the second half the atmosphere intensified with the game on a knife edge.

Hearts had the ball in the net but it was ruled off side, then Leigh Griffiths scored the vital opening goal.  A wonderful effort beating three Hearts defenders then finishing with a smart left foot shot.

The impressive Rogic flicked in the second to confirm Celtic's semi final place after more great play from Griffiths.

It was strange only having a small corner of Tynecastle as I attended matches there in the eighties were we regularly took 10,000 fans to the old ground.

Victorious Celtic team cheered off pitch

Personal note:  My 6th League Cup tie between the sides.  My 32 match in Tynecastle making it my tenth most visited ground. 

MATCH 1623 - Sunday, 25 October 2015

Season: 2015/16

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

Match Programme

CELTIC    5    DUNDEE UNITED    0

Scorers:  Griffiths, Boyata, Commons(2), O.G.

Top v Bottom clash and it showed throughout the match.  Celtic made not be good enough for less than average European sides but they are streets ahead of Scottish clubs, especially ones in the bottom half of the league.

Pre-match Celtic Huddle

Ready to get underway

Personal note: 116th time attending this fixture with 97 in SPL.  Overall 121st Dundee United match they have seldom been so poor.

MATCH 1622 - Saturday, 3 October 2015

Season: 2015/16
SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE
Venue: Palmerston Park

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH    0    HIBERNIAN    3

Scorer:  Cummings, Henderson, Boyle

My first visit to Palmerston Park in Dumfries and it was worth the trip to see Hibs inspired by loanee from Celtic, Liam Henderson put on a commanding display.  It was a beautiful day for football with a crowd of 2,745 watching on.

Away fans

Main Stand

Kick off

The large home terrace was soon empty after the game

Personal note:  2nd non-Celtic match of the season.  Only my 5th Doonhamers match.  Hibs total now 111 against 6 different opponents

MATCH 1621 - Thursday, 1 October 2015

Season: 2015/16
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - Group Stage
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

Celtic    2    Fenerbahçe    2

Scorers: Griffiths, Commons;  Viana de Santana(2)

A quality Europa League tie ends all square as Celtic squander a two goal lead.  This was the first time Celtic had faced Turkish opposition.  

Fenerbahçe included ex-Manchester United players Nani & Van Persie in their line but it was their substitute that caused Celtic's defence problems.

Pre-match

The formalities

Personal note:  117th Celtic match in European competitions.  First team from Turkey. Fenerbahçe are the 198th club I've seen.

MATCH 1620 - Saturday, 26 September 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC     0    HEARTS    0

Despite numerous chances created Celtic are unable to test nevermind beat the Hearts keeper.

Efe Ambrose takes one for the team in injury time picking up a red card for a last man foul.

The return of Hearts

MATCH 1619 - Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP 3rd ROUND
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    RAITH ROVERS    0

Scorers:  Commons, Johansen

Although Celtic fail to reach the heights achieved in previous match it was a relatively straight-forward tie.

Personnel note: 100th Celtic League Cup tie - 6 have involved Raith Rovers.  Overall 19th Raith match.

Sparse crowd for game 2 of 4 in only 11 days

MATCH 1618 - Sunday, 21 September 2015

Season 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    6    DUNDEE    0

Scorers: Rogic, Griffiths, Izaguirre(2), Brown, Ciftci

First of four home matches in 11 days!

Celtic rip Dundee apart scoring 6 (could've been 12!) but the best moment was when Emilo Izagurrie going for his hat trick after scoring a quick double in the second half took a penalty and missed by a country mile.

Personal note - this was my 60th Dundee match all bar one against Celtic.

MATCH 1617 - Saturday, 29 August 2015

Season 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    3    ST JOHNSTONE    1

Scorers: Griffiths, Rogic, Mulgrew;  OG

Teams take the field

Celtic eventually recover from midweek Champions League disappointment to beat Perth Saints who were going for 3 Celtic Park wins on the trot following their League win last season and their Cup final win.  Not to be on this occasion but it took some terrific saves from Craig Gordon to restrict them to one goal.

Scott Allan made his Celtic Park debut in the second half.

Waterbhoys

Polish Bhoys pre match

Personal note: 

Fixture count 46 encounters between these sides, overall 47th St Johnstone match of which 42 in the league.

MATCH 1616 - Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Season:  2015/16
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

My little legend!

CELTIC    3    MALMO    2

Scorers: Griffiths(2), Bitton;  Berget(2)

Fantastic night of European football at Celtic Park with both sets of fans experiencing a rollercoaster ride of football's highs and lows.  There was a near capacity crowd and a terrific away following from Sweden that created a wonderful atmosphere that you only get in Champions League football.

At 3-1 up going into the latter stages Celtic were one second away from a very good result, one goal away from an exceptional result or one goal away from a mini disaster.  Like Alex Ferguson old European comment "just when you think you are OK the roof falls in".  And that's exactly what happened when Malmo scored a last second goal to bring the tie within their reach again.  For the first time the atmosphere change to incredible silence except for the merry band of Malmo fans.

Leigh Griffiths produced a splendid No. 9 performance scoring twice.

The stage is set!

Personal note:  Malmo became the 197th club side that I've seen and the fourth European tie involving a Swedish club following Gothenburg, Helsingborgs IF and IF Elfsborg.
In order to keep my run of 14 years of not missing a home match going my little daughter attended her first UEFA tie.

MATCH 1615 - Saturday, 15 August 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    4    INVERNESS CT    2

Scorers: Lustig, Griffiths, Armstrong(2);  Christie, Lopez

My 24th fixture between these sides - 20 in the SPL.  A strong performance from Celtic until the 70th minute, then ICT gave their very small travelling support something to cheer about with two good goals.

Stuart Armstrong was the main man scoring two second half goals.


New signing from Hibs, Scott Allan was introduced to the crowd before the start of the match.

MATCH 1614 - Saturday 1 August 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK (903)

FLAG DAY IN PARADISE

Setting the scene for John Clark

CELTIC    2    ROSS COUNTY    0

Scorers:  Griffiths, Johansen

My 7th Celtic match of the season although it's the opening game of the league season.  It was a one sided first 45 minutes however County came into the match more in the second, creating a number of chances.

Pre match Celtic raised their 46th league flag in recognition of last seasons'  league title win.

Fans enjoying the occasion

Personal note:  Only my 8th match involving these sides, Celtic have a win rate of 50%

MATCH 1613 - Wednesday 29 July 2015

SEASON:  2015/16
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK (902)

CELTIC    1    QARABAG    0

Scorer:  Boyata

Over 43,000 Celtic fans in attendance as the UEFA Champions League qualifying process steps up a level and the Champions of Azerbaijan prove to be touch opponents.  It takes Celtic until the last 10 minutes to find the breakthrough.

The hand shakes

The huddle

Sorted for kick off

Personal note:  136th UEFA tie of which 115 involve Celtic

Qarabag become the 196th club that I've seen but the 1st from Azerbaijan

MATCH 1612 - Saturday, 25 July 2015

Season:  2015/16
FRIENDLY
Venue:  CELTIC PARK (901)

CELTIC    2    RENNES    0

Scorers: Griffiths, Mackay-Steven

Low key pre-season friendly with only around 15,000 turning up.

Personal note: Stade Rennes 2nd visit to Celtic Park bringing the total number of matches I've seen involving French teams to 12.   

9 club & 3  national matches

Pre-match huddle

View from section 440

The Great North Stand - 20 years old!

Venue from the Emirates Arena after the match

MATCH 1611 - Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Season: 2015/16
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Qualifying Round 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK (900)

CELTIC    2    STJARNAN    0

Scorers:  Boyata, Griffiths

Just like last season the new season starts with Icelandic opponents in UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2016/matches/round=2000631/match=2015591/index.html

Personel note:  Landmark game for me, my 900th match at Celtic Park.

Line ups

New season kicks off

First goal of season

Personal note:
My 114th Celtic UEFA tie - only 2 involving Icelandic clubs.

Overall only my 3rd match involving an Icelandic side - the first one was the national side under 21 team v Scotland at Fir Park in 1984 when over aged player Roy Aitken scored the only goal.
FC Stjarnan become the 195th club side I've seen.