MATCH 2046 - Sunday 28 December 2025

SEASON 2025/26

ENGLISH FA PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  STADIUM OF LIGHT 

SUNDERLAND  1  LEEDS UNITED  1

Scorers: Adingra; Calvert-Lewin

Attendance:  46,675

My second trip to Sunderland this season and the first time seeing Leeds since 2007!

As the kick off was 2pm, it meant an early start leaving just after 8am to make it down from central Scotland in plenty of time.

Another bumper crowd with the away fans in fine voice from kick off and throughout the match.

Leeds had most of the possession and majority of the chances especially in the second half, however Sunderland created the best of the chances in the first 45 minutes plus the five minutes added on. They took the lead midway through the half and could and should have doubled their lead on the stroke of half time but the effort only hit the top of the bar. 

They soon rued the miss as Leeds scored a super equaliser at the start of the second half. A great passing move that involved the whole team.  Leeds controlled the remainder of the match but couldn't convert their dominance into any more goals.

Overall a draw was just about the right result.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• A new fixture to add to the list and now totals 435
• Second visit to Stadium of Light this season and no. 33 in total
• Overall the 51st time seeing Sunderland and the 5th time seeing Leeds 

Post-match - Mass at St Mary's RC Church

MATCH 2045 - Saturday 27 December 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  ALMONDVALE STADIUM

LIVINGSTON  2  CELTIC  4

Scorers: Montano(2);  Nygren(2); Yang, Engels

Attendance: 8,861

A crazy start to the game with four goals shared in the opening 10 minutes.  In a breathtaking first half Celtic added two more goals including a VAR awarded penalty to take control of the match at half time.

There were no more goals added to the six from the first 45 minutes in a more sedate second half.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• 2nd time attending this fixture this season.
• This was the 28th time seeing the fixture in the league.
• Overall I've now attended 33 matches between the clubs.

MATCH 2044 - Sunday 21 December 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  3  ABERDEEN  1

Scorers:  Nygren, Tierney, Forrest;  Bilalovic

Celtic went into this match after four successive defeats so when 10 man Aberdeen equalised with around 10 minutes remaining it looked like the winless run would continue.  Instead of accepting their fate Celtic rallied and scord twice in the final minutes to clinch a much needed win.

Celtic should have been out of sight but missed chance after chance - the story of their season.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note: 

• The second time attending this fixture this season
• The 115th time seeing fixture in the league
• Overall the 140th time attending this fixture 

MATCH 2043 - Sunday 14 December 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Venue: HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC  1  ST MIRREN  3

Scorers: Hatate; Fraser, Ayunga(2)

Attendance: 49,914

St Mirren took a very early lead but Celtic quickly got on equal terms and then looked more likely to go in front until Kelechi Iheanacho went off injured before half Tim.

In the second half it was a different story as St Mirren created the chances and took them to deservedly win the League Cup.

View from seat - East Stand section F3

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• Overall this was the 80th time attending this fixture but the first in a Final.
• In the Scottish League Cup this was only the 4th time seeing this fixture since 1981 with Saints winning 3 of them.

MATCH 2042 - Thursday 11 December 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

GROUP STAGE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  0  ROMA  3

Scorers:  OG, Ferguson(2)

Celtic are completely outplayed in the first half and lucky to be only three down.  It seemed everything that could go wrong did.  Firstly a own goal was conceded, then Irishman Euan Ferguson scored twice to make it 0-3, next on the stroke of half time Celtic missed a penalty.  The bad luck continued in the second half as Celtic had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside.

Finally something did go right when Roma had a goal chopped out for offside to the deficit at least did not increase.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note: 

• Roma become the 6th Italian club that I've seen Celtic play in UEFA competition
• This was the 2nd time seeing Roma play Celtic both at Celtic Park
• Overall the 3rd time I've seen Roma

MATCH 2041 - Sunday 7 December 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  HEARTS  2

Scorers: Tierney; Braga, McEntee

Celtic welcomed their new manager, Wilfried Nancy for his first match in charge but it wasn't a good first day in the office.  Despite a good first half performance Celtic fail to take their chances and pay the price as Hearts clinically take their chances when they come to remain top of the table.

The latest Hearts manager in the dugout is Derek McInnes.

Match report: LINK

Personal note: 

• This was my 23rd time attending a match this season - 17th time seeing Celtic, 1st time seeing Hearts
• In total it was the 104th time attending this fixture in the league
• Overall it was the 121st time seeing this fixture

MATCH 2040 - Wednesday 3 December 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  DUNDEE  O

Scorers:  Maeda

Celtic dominated the match but created few clear cut chances and in the end had to settle for a single goal victory. 

The fans were happy to settle for this as it meant Martin O'Neill's short stint as interim manager ended on a high.  If this is O'Neill's last managerial job it will be fitting that he ended his illustrious career at Celtic Park were he spent 5 successful years at the start of the Millennium.  While former Celt, Steven Pressley was in the Dundee dugout for this time at Celtic Park.

Christmas decs - The Celtic Way

Thank you Martin

Match report: LINK

Personal Note:

• First time attending this fixture this season
• In the league it was the 67th time attending the fixture
• Overtime this was my 73rd time attending this fixture

MATCH 2039 - Sunday 30 November 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  EASTER ROAD STADIUM

HIBERNIAN  1  CELTIC  2

Scorers:  Boyle;  Maeda, Engels

A bright but cold day in the capital for the "Battle of the Greens" on St Andrews Day.

Celtic scored two first half goals within a minute to take the three points on a ground they have found very difficult in recent years.  Hibs replied with a single strike from the penalty spot in the second half to make it a uncomfortable end to the game for the Glasgow greens.

I was once again in the Main Stand Lower tier for this one, which gives a great view of the Pat Stanton stand but not the away section as we were tucked in the corner in section 1.

Match reports: LINK

Personal note:

• The 2nd time attending this fixture this season both in the league
• This was the 114th seeing this fixture in the league 
• Overall th 132nd time attending this fixture
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MATCH 2038 - Friday 28 November 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH CUP 3rd Round

Venu: PRESTONFIELD 

LINLITHGOW ROSE  1  QUEENS PARK  3

Scorers: McMullan;  Murray, Savoury; Fowler

My second visit to Linlithgow and again it was for Scottish Cup action.  This time it was against ten time winners of the cup, Queens Park.  

The underdogs from the Scottish Lowlands league got off to a great start by taking the lead however Championship side, Queens didn't panic and scored 3 close range goals to take the tie away from the "Rosy Poseys".

Fine grandstand

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• My 20th game of the season including two Scottish Cup ties
• My 2nd visit to Prestonfield 
• Overall I have seen Linlithgow Rose 3 times and Queens Park 6 times

MATCH 2037 - Sunday 9 November 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  KILMARNOCK  0

Scorers:  Kenny, Tierney, Maeda, Engels

Celtic took advantage of Kilmarnock's poor form by scoring four despite barely getting out of secnd gear.  One up at half-time they scored three more during the second 45 minutes.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note: 

• The 79th time attending this fixture in the league since 1982
• Overall the 90th time attending this fixture - 79 League, 7 League Cup and 4 in Scottish Cup
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MATCH 2036 - Wednesday 5 November 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

GROUP STAGE

Venue:  ETIHAD STADIUM

MANCHESTER CITY  4  BORUSSIA DORTMUND  1

Scorers:  Foden(2), Haaland, Cherki;  Anton

Attendance:  50,513

A trip to Manchester but for a change to see the blue half.  This was my first visit to the Etihad Stadium since 2016.  We were sitting in the middle tier of the Stadium above the South-west corner flag and it gave an excellent view of the pitch and a Man City team on top form.

Two goals in each half gave City a comfortable victory over their German opponents.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• My 3rd time attending a match at the Etihad Stadium
• This was the 9th time seeing Manchester City and the first time since 2016
• And the 6th time seeing Borussia Dortmund - the first time since 2008.

MATCH 2035 - Sunday 2 November 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP Semi Final

Venue: HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC  3  RANGERS*  1

After Extra Time

Scorers: Kenny, McGregor, Osmand;  Travernier

Attendance:  49.446

Celtic reached the Scottish League Cup final with a hard fought win over 10 man Rangers*.  Celtic dominated the first half should have had more than one goal for their efforts. However there was another crucial incident before half time when Rangers* were reduced to 10 following a stright red card.

In the second half the 10 men responded very well and played much better than when they had 11. Celtic literally paid the penalty for missing a load of chances to seal the match when Rangers* were awarded a penalty with ten minutes remaining.

It meant the game went to extra time and Celtic finally made the extra man count scoring in each half of extra time including a sweet strike from captain Callum McGregor.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:  

• 6th time seeing this fixture in the Scottish League Cup all at Hampden Park
• Overall the 26th time seeing this fixture with 11 at Hampden Park
• Overall 129th time seeing Celtic in the Scottish League Cup
• Overall 143rd match at Hampden Park

MATCH 2034 - Wednesday 29 October 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  FALKIRK  0

Scorers: Kenny(2), Nygren, Tounekti

A special night at Celtic Park as an ordinary league encounter featured the great Martin O'Neill in the home dugout following the departure of Brendan Rodgers two days earlier.

It was a decent Celtic performance with two goals in each half to win the match comfortably.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The second time attending this fixture this season.
• The 30th time attending this fixture in the league
• Overall the 39th time attending this fixture
• This was the 40th time seeing Falkirk - 39 v Celtic and 1 v Airdrie

MATCH 2033 - Saturday 25 October 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH CUP 2nd ROUND

Venue: OLIVEBANK ARENA

MUSSELBURGH ATHLETIC  1  FORFAR ATHLETIC  2

Scorers: Todd;  Morrison, Slater

Attendance: 700

My second visit to Musselburgh to see an early Scottish Cup tie.  Exactly one year since my first.  This time the opposition was a Scottish League club in Forfar. A lovely bright day just before the clocks go back tonight!

The story of the match was exactly the opposite of last season's tie in that the home side took a first half lead only for the away team to win the match with a second half turnaround. The winner was a very well executed free kick near the end of the 90 minutes.

Kick off

Match report: LINK

Match video:  

Personal note:

• A new fixture (number 432)
• 2nd time seeing Musselburgh; 6th time seeing Forfar (1st since season 1989/90)
• The 170th time attending a Scottish Cup tie; the16th not involving Celtic