MATCH 1799 - Saturday 25 May 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH CUP FINAL 

CELTIC  2  HEARTS  1

Scorers: Edouard(2);  Edwards

    

THE EDOUARD CUP FINAL

& THE TREBLE TREBLE aka "THE TRINITY TREBLE"

52 years to the very day Celtic won the European Cup they create another piece of history by securing the domestic treble for an unprecedented third year in a row - the Treble Treble!

After Hearts take the lead in the second half French striker Odsonne Edouard steps up and producing a match winning performance.  First he wins a penalty and converts it to equalise.  Then he is sent clear by Swede Mikael Lustig and fires home the winner.  It is the first time in the clubs history they've won Scotland's oldest domestic competition three years in a row.

My view from the very back of the East End of Hampden

MATCH 1798 - Sunday 19 May 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  2  HEARTS  1

Scorers:  Johnston(2); Mulraney

The last league match of the season and Celtic celebrate the winning of their 8th successive title.  Two goals from Mikey Johnstone seals the win.

The season started with Brendan Rodgers as manager and ended with Neil Lennon in the role.

The aftermath of the celebrations:

MATCH 1797 - Saturday 27 April 2019

SEASON 2019/20

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE 

CELTIC  1  KILMARNOCK  0

Scorer:  Simunovic

An Emotional Time for the Celtic Family.  

The first match at Celtic Park after the death one of the greatest Celts of all time, Billy McNeill.

With Celtic struggling for the breakthrough No.5 Jozo Simunovic rose to head home the winner with 67 minutes on the stadium scoreboard clock.  A fact that wasn't lost on the older supporters in the capacity crowd. The goal was extremely significant as it meant Celtic were Champions again with a single point required to make it mathematically certain.

Billy had coined the phrase"There is a fairytale about this club" in the Centenary season and never was it as true on this extraordinary occasion.

Jozo captures the moment.

MATCH 1796 - Sunday 14 April 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH CUP Semi Final

ABERDEEN  0  CELTIC  3

Scorers:  Forrest, Edouard, Rogic

Aberdeen have two men sent off as Celtic continue the excellent run over the Dons in cup semis and finals at Hampden over last three seasons.

MATCH 1795 - Saturday 13 April 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH LEAGUE DIVISION 2

COWDENBEATH  2  ELGIN CITY  1

Scorers:  Cox, Sheerin;  McLeish

Elgin took the lead in the first half but Cowdenbeath fight back in the second half to come out on top.

A new ground - Central Park - and a new team - Cowdenbeath.

7th Elgin match in 7th different ground and 7th defeat!  Goals for 5 against 21.

MATCH 1794 - Saturday 6 April 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  0  LIVINGSTON  0

Celtic are unable to record back to back home league victories as they continue to find goals hard to come by.

MATCH 1793 - Sunday 31 March 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  2  RANGERS*  1

Scorers: Edouard, Forrest;  Kent

A big win for Celtic looking to win the 8th title in a row.  Goals from Odsonne Edouard and James Forrest secure the three points.

MATCH 1792 - Saturday 9 March 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  0  ABERDEEN  0

Neil Lennon's first game back at Celtic Park in his 2nd spell as manager ends in a disappointing goalless draw.

MATCH 1791 - Saturday 2 March 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH CUP Quarter Final

HIBERNIAN  0  CELTIC  2

Scorers: Forrest, Brown

A new era begins with Neil Lennon taking over in the "dug-out".  Easter Road was not a happy away ground for Rodgers but Celtic record victory for the first time in a number of years.

Tickets are in the Hibs Main Stand again but nearer the away stand than our previous two visits as life after Rodgers begins.

Managers:  Paul Heckingbottom and Neil Lennon.

MATCH 1790 - Saturday 24 February 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  4  MOTHERWELL  1

Scorers: Sinclair, Edouard(2), Burke;  Ariyibi

Another commanding Celtic home performance in 2019.  The highlight being a fantastic free kick by Odsonne Edouard that made it 3-1.

Footnote:

The match turned out to be Brendan Rodgers last match at Celtic. The timing of his departure meant he had won all seven Scottish domestic competitions he took part in.  It was great while it lasted. 

Rodgers final starting XI:

MATCH 1789 - Sunday 17 February 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

KILMARNOCK  0  CELTIC  1

Scorer:  Brown

Captain, Scott Brown scores a monumental goal in the last minute to spark wild celebration in both away stands that ends with Celtic getting the three points and Brown his marching orders.

MATCH 1788 - Saturday 16 February 2019

SEASON 2018/19

ENGLISH LEAGUE DIVISION 2

CARLISLE UNITED  2  MILTON KEYNES  3

Scorers: Scougall, Hope;  McGrandles, Hesketh, Agard

My 20th match at Brunton Park and a newish club MK Dons previously Wimbledon who were taken over when they got into financial trouble and relocated and rebranded as a Milton Keynes club.

Former Hearts player, Steve Pressley is manager of Carlisle.

MATCH 1787 - Thursday 14 February 2019

SEASON 2018/19

Round of 32, 2nd Leg

CELTIC  0  VALENCIA  2

Scorers: Cheryshev, Sobrina

A personal run of seven straight home games ends with a defeat as Valencia comprehensively knock Rodgers' Celtic out of Europe.

2nd time attending this fixture.  The first was one of the great Celtic Park European night in 2001 with Martin O'Neill's team.  Sadly this one didn't reach the same heights, certainly for Celtic any way.

MATCH 1786 - Sunday 10 February 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH CUP 5th Round

CELTIC  5  ST JOHNSTONE  0

Scorers: Sinclair(3), Brown, Forrest

Scott Sinclair continues his impressive scoring run since the return from the winter break with a hat-trick the sets Celtic on their way to the quarter finals.

MATCH 1785 - Wednesday 6 February 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC   2   HIBERNIAN   0

Scorers: Christie, Burke

Celtic complete a run of four consecutive home league matches in 14 days with fourth victory.  The match does not have the same edge or entertainment value as recent Celtic-Hibs games which is probably due to the recent departure of Neil Lennon as their manager.

MATCH 1784 - Wednesday 30 January 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  2  ST JOHNSTONE  0

Scorers: McGregor, Christie

Two early second half goals give Celtic another home victory including another clean sheet for Scott Bain.

Celtic's starting line up:

MATCH 1783 - Saturday 26 January 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  3  HAMILTON  0

Scorers: McGregor, Christie, Sinclair

Hamilton at home always has expectations of a big score but it rarely turns out like that and it was the case in this one but still another routine home win.

MATCH 1782 - Wednesday 23 January 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CELTIC  4  ST MIRREN  0 

Scorers: Burke(2), Sinclair, Weah

Recent loanee signings make a big impact in this game scoring 3 of the 4 goals to give Celtic a comfortable home victory on return to league campaign after the winter break. Burke scores two and Weah makes it two goals in two games.

MATCH 1781 - Saturday 19 January 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH CUP 4th Round

CELTIC  3  AIRDRIE*  0

Scorers: Sinclair(2), Weah

Airdrie, previously set up as Airdrie United first visit to Celtic Park.  The first game back for Celtic after the winter shutdown and they reintroduce new loan signings from the January transfer window, Timothy Weah, son of legendary Milan forward George Weah, scores on his debut.  The other loanee making his debut was Oliver Burke.

MATCH 1780 - Saturday 12 January 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH LEAGUE DIVISION 2

ALBION ROVERS  0  PETERHEAD  2

Scorers:  Dow, McLean

Albion took on the league leaders and after a close first half, two second half goals from the visitors gave Peterhead all three points.

The real reason for attending this game - a 50 year old mascot, making his debut and oldest man on the park, lead out the teams.

11th match in total at Cliftonhill.

9th time seeing Albion Rovers and 2nd Peterhead game.

MATCH 1779 - Saturday 5 January 2019

SEASON 2018/19

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP

CHARLTON ATHLETIC   1   SUNDERLAND   1

Scorers: OG;  O'Nien

New ground - The Valley - added to my list of grounds.  It is an impressive ground for three large new stands and an old terrace end stand housing the away fans which is a bit cramped with generates a great atmosphere.

2nd time seeing Charlton and 46th Sunderland game.

Managers:  Lee Bowyer and Jack Ross.