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.

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

MATCH 2032 - Thursday 23 October 2025

SEASON 2025/26

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  STURM GRAZ  1

Scorers:  Scales, Nygren;  Horvat

Celtic managed to win their first European match of the season at the 5th attempt.  They had to do it the hard way, coming from behind after the Austrians took the lead in the first half.  Two second half goals though secured the points.

Another huge European crowd at Celtic Park despite a poor start to the season, especially in Europe and we were rewarded to a win and decent performance.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 4th club from Austria that I've seen Celtic take on in UEFA competition 
• 4th European tie of the season with Celtic.
• Overall the 174th time watching Celtic in Europe/UEFA competition 
• 
  

MATCH 2031 - Saturday 18 October 2025

SEASON 2025/26

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  STADIUM OF LIGHT

SUNDERLAND  2  WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS  0

Scorers: Mukiele, OG

My first visit to the Stadium of Light for over two years for a football (previous visit was for a Bruce Springsteen gig in May 2024) and as it was Daniel's birthday it was great to see a home win.

A comfortable three hour car journey as the traffic for once was fine all the way on M74, A69 and A1231.  Parked at the Stadium of Light metro star

Wolves started better but Sunderland had a great period in the middle of the first half.  They had a goal disallowed for offside and then scored an excellently crafted goal that included a number of intricate passes and a calm finish from right back, Mukiele.  Wolves finished the half strongly but were pretty toothless in front of goal.

In the second half Sunderland tactics were to contain as Wolves continued to take the game to the home side but when the few chances were created their finishing continued to be very poor.  As Wolves pushed for a late equaliser they were caught out by a breakaway and conceded a second through an own goal.

Overall a good day

Away section - high up in the gods

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• My 50th Sunderland match - breakdown 39 League, 4 FA Cup & 7 Friendlies
• Stadium of Light visit no. 32
• 2nd time attending this fixture, both in the Premier League and at SoL
• 4th time seeing Wolves

The aftermath