MATCH 2025 - Saturday 29 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH PRMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  3  HEARTS  0

Scorers:  Maeda(2), Jota

AMAZING MAEDA

All three goals are scored in the first half with the amazing Daizen Maeda scoring two and assisting with the other. After scoring the first when he was sent clear through the middle, he was a whisker away from his second a third when a glancing header came off the inside of the post but fell nicely into the path of Jota who made it 2-0.  Then he finished off a great quick Celtic attack by tapping in at the back post.

Hearts had their chances early in the first 45 minutes but while they missed Cltic and Maeda in particular were clinical.

Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo made his league debut and will be happy with his clean sheet after making a fine, sharp save in the opening stages of the match.

The latest Hearts manager to visit Celtic Park is Englishman, Neil Critchley.

Cold, wet & windy day in Paradise

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• First time attending this fixture this season
• The 103rd time attending the fixture in the league since 1981
• Overall I've now seen this fixture 120 times

MATCH 2009 - Sunday 16 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  RANGERS*  3

Scorers:  Maeda, Hatate;  Raskin, Diomande, Igamane

Celtic recovered from two goals down at half time to tie the match at 2-2 but a late defensive slip allowed the visitors to snatch victory.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The 3rd time attending this fixture this season
• The 15th time seeing the fixture in the league 
• Overall the 25th time attending this new Scottish fixture

MATCH 2008 - Thursday 13 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

Last 16, Second Leg

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

Attendance: 73,189

MANCHESTER UNITED  4  REAL SOCIEDAD  1

Scorers:  Fernandes(3), Dalot;  Oyarzael

The tie was nicely poised at 1-1 from the first leg and with each side being awarded a penalty in the opening 15 (both converted) it was still in the balance going into the second half. I'm sure the club from the Basque Country will point to the referee as the one who tipped the tie in United's favour by first awarding a debatable penalty and then reducing them to ten men following a last man challenge.  Anyway the second half became the Bruno Fernandes show, as he converted his second penalty and then completed his hattrick with a well taken third.

The Bruno Show:

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 20th time I've seen United in UEFA competition including 5 against Spanish opposition
• First time seeing Real Sociedad in Europe since 1982 when they were champions of Spain and played Celtic.
• Overall 3rd time seeing Real Sociedad including a friendly at New St Mirren Park

I meet some Real Sociedad fans on the Metro to and from the game, they were all very friendly and a credit to themselves and their club.

MATCH 2007 - Sunday 9 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH CUP Quarter Final

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  HIBERNIAN  0

Scorers: Maeda, Idah

Beautiful Sunday in Paradise

Pre-match scene

The great Green divide - 7,000 away fans

Since Hibs beat Celtic last month in the league this cup tie has been eagerly anticipated especially in Edinburgh which is why Hibs easily sold 7,000 tickets to bring the biggest away support to Celtic Park in years.

Celtic dominated possession throughout the game and went in front just before half time but Hibs were never out of the tie until Adam Idah doubled the lead in the final minute.

Match Report: LINK

Personal note:

• 5th time attending the battle of the Scottish Greens this season, with the clubs meeting in all three domestic competitions
• The 12th time I've attended this fixture in the Scottish Cup

MATCH 2006 - Saturday 8 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Venue:  BALMORAL STADIUM

COVE RANGERS  3  QUEEN OF THE SOUTH  1

Scorers: Yule, Emslie(2);  Lyon

Attendance:  411

Random match, a battle of the northern blues from Cove in Aberdeen v southern blues from Dumfries, to visit one of the last Scottish football grounds I hadn't previously been too.

A decent game with Queens starting off well and taking the lead inside 10 minutes with a very well worked goal but Cove soon grew into the game and scored an excellent equaliser. A well placed shot from outside the box from Yule who was later named Man of the Match.  Then two good striker goals in each half to win the three points.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• New ground
• New fixture
• Second time seeing Cove Rangers and 7th time seeing Queen of the South