MATCH 1951 - Saturday 27 January 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  ROSS COUNTY  0

Scorer:  Johnston

A poor 90+ minutes at Celtic Park. A Celtic goal in first minute then a missed penalty even after a retake was ordered by VAR.  The performance suffered greatly after that.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• 26th time seeing this fixture.  Celtic Park 18,  Hampden 2,  Victoria Park 6.
• First time seeing a goal from right back, Alistair Johnston (albeit via a huge deflection)

MATCH 1950 - Sunday 21 January 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH CUP 4th Round

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  5  BUCKIE THISTLE  0

Scorers:  Bernardo, Holm, Kyogo, Palma, Vata

Bernardo opens the scoring

MATCH 1949 - Sunday 14 Sunday 2024

SEASON 2023/24

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  2  TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR  2

Scorers:  Hojlund, Rashford; Richarlison, Bentancur

My first trip to Old Trafford this season.  To see United take on ex-Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou's new club Spurs.  While they have been enjoying a better than expected season, United have been performing well below expected levels.

After a great start from United scoring inside 3 minutes, Tottenham controlled most of the game however by the end of the game United were unlucky not to win after having the best of the chances.

Travel:  Car to Motherwell train station for 8:35 train to Glasgow Central. Bus Glasgow (10am) to Manchester city centre arriving just after 2pm. Metro to Old Trafford cricket ground and 10 minute walk to the football equivalent. 

Returning by rail to Motherwell, however the Manchester Piccadilly to Preston leg had a rail replacement service (bus) but thankfully this was the only hassle on the day and I was easily back home for 12.

Overall another good trip to the Theatre of Dreams.

The huge North Stand (renamed after Alex Ferguson) 

View from my seat in the East Stand upper

Personal note:

• 4th time attending this fixture all at Old Trafford
• My 56th match at Old Trafford, making it my 3rd most visited ground.
• Overall the 77th time seeing Man Utd and 15th time seeing Tottenham Hotspur

Minor Match 68 - Saturday 13 January 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH LOWLANDS LEAGUE

Venue: EAST PEFFERMILL

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY  1  CELTIC-B  3

MATCH 1948 - Monday 8 January 2024

SEASON  2023/24

FA CUP 3rd ROUND

Venue: DW STADIUM

WIGAN ATHLETIC  0  MANCHESTER UNITED  2

Scorers: Dalot, Fernandes

Although United had a small distance to travel to one of their neighbours in their first FA Cup tie of the season I set out at 9am for my first trip to Wigan. Train into Glasgow, followed by Flixbus to Manchester, a short walk to Manchester Victoria station to catch the train to Wigan Wallgate.  The final leg of the trip was a walk to the ground which was about 25 minuntes but very straightforward. 

The visit of United even although they have not been in great form attracted a near capacity and noisy crowd of 22,870.

The Reds receiving the biggest of the four stands on the East side of the ground which made for a great cup tie atmosphere.

As for the game the first half was good but the second poor.  Man United should've had a comfortable 3/4 goal lead at half-time instead of the slim one goal lead.  The second half was a non-event with United fortunate to add to their lead through a disputed penalty. 

Personal note:

• New ground and club for me DW Stadium and Wigan Athletic FC.
• 15th different ground I've watched Manchester United in.
• My 76th Man Utd match.