MATCH 2061 - Sunday 15 March 2026

SEASON 2025/26

ENGLISH FA PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  3  ASTON VILLA  1

Scorers:  Casemiro, Cunha, Sesko, Bartley

Attendance: 73,997

An early morning drive to Manchester for my first visit to Old Trafford this season. It was typical Manchester weather with heavy showers throughout the day.  My seat was excellent in the the 3rd level of the Alex Ferguson Stand.

After a goalless first 45 minutes the game burst into life in the second half with four goals and many other chances for each team.

This was an important match in the race for a top four spot and qualification to the UEFA Champions league as pre-match both sides were on 51 points and in joint 3rd place in the league.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• This was the 3rd time attending this fixture - all in the league 
• This was my 65th match at Old Trafford 
• Overall it was my 84th time seeing Manchester United - 41 of them in the league
• It was the 6th time seeing Aston Villa (5 in the league)

MATCH 2060 - Saturday 14 March 2026

SEASON - 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  3  MOTHERWELL  1

Scorers: Yang(2), Cvancara;  Just

Motherwell opened the scoring but Celtic managed to get level before half time.  The result was decided on a big VAR call in the second half when Celtic were awarded a penalty and due to the nature of the foul - a grab rather than a challenge in the box - a red card was given and Motherwell were reduced to 10 men.  In full view of the referee who failed to see such a significant incident.

Yang - the games MVP - with 2 goals

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The 3rd time attending this fixture this season - all in the league
• The 116th time seeing this fixture in the league
• Overall the 130th time I've attended this fixture

MATCH 2059 - Sunday 8 March 2026

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH CUP Quarter Final

Venue: IBROX STADIUM

RANGERS*  0  CELTIC  0

AET - Celtic win 4-2 on penalties

Attendance: 50,000

Celtic, depleted by long term and short term injuries, defend with their lives for 120 minutes to take the Scottish Cup tie to penalties.  Throughout the match they lacked quality to take the game to the home side but in contrast they coolly slotted home their four penalties to reach the semi final.

The aftermath 

This was my first visit to Ibrox in 12 years and the first with Celtic since 2003.

Match report: LINK

Personel note:

• This was the 1st time attending this new fixture at Ibrox.  Overall it was my 55th game at the ground.
• This was the 3rd time attending this fixture this season 
• It was my 6th time attending it in the Scottish Cup but the first not at Hampden

MATCH 2058 - Saturday 28 February 2026

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: EXCELISOR STADIUM

AIRDRIE*  3  MORTON  1

Scorers: Thomas(2), McArthur;  McGarrity

This one was a freebie with wife, daughter & friend and it turned out to be an entertaining afternoon with Airdrie needing points as they battle against relegation.  So when Morton took an early lead the signs looked ominous.  However a great long range equaliser inspired the home side to deliver a much needed win and to send their long suffering fans home with a smile on their faces.  It has to be stated Morton getting a player sent off in each half helped the "Diamonds" enormously.

It is always a huge plus when both sides play in their traditional strips and thankfully Airdrie* played in their red diamond tops and Morton in their bold blue hoops.

Pre-match formalities

Frances & friend

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• Although I've been to Airdrie-Morton in the past incarnation due to the original Airdrieonians clubs "demise" this counts as a new fixture on my list - number 438
• This was the 20th time seeing Morton and the 3rd time seeing Airdrie*
• My 11th visit to Excelsior Stadium which includes 5 minor matches

MATCH 2057 - Sunday 22 February 2026

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  HIBERNIAN  2

Scorers: Nygren;  Passlack, Andrews

Hibs took the points in the "Battle of the Greens" scoring in each half which 10 man Celtic could not match in the second half.  The winner came in the final two minutes to take wind out of Celtic.

Kick off in pleasant conditions but it didn't last as second half was played in monsoon

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 3rd time attending this fixture this season
• 115th time seeing this fixture
• Overall the 133rd time attending this fixture

MATCH 2056 - Thursday 19 February 2026

SEASON 2025/26

Play-off Round 1st Leg

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  STUTTGART  4

Scorers: Nygren; Khannouss(2), Leweling, Tomas

After progressing from the group stage Celtic and Stuttgart are paired together at a similar stage and timing of their previous meeting in the same competition in 2003 however the result this time was vastly different.

Stuttgart bring a sizeable and colourful support to Glasgow's east end.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• This was the 2nd time attending this fixture
• This was the 3rd time seeing Stuttgart - all in UEFA competition 
• This was the 19th time seeing Celtic play German clubs in European competition - 16 home & 3 away

MATCH 2055 - Wednesday 11 February 2026

aSEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  LIVINGSTON  1

Scorers: Saracchi, Oxlade-Chamberlain;  Muirhead

Another late show from Celtic as an injury time goal from Alex Oxlade-Chambrlain making his Celtic debut following his recent recruitment won the three points against bottom of the league, Livingston.

A new manager in the Livi dugout as Marvin Bartley recently took over from David Martindale

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• 3rd time attending this fixture this season
• The 29th time seeing this fixture in the league 
• Overall the 34th time seeing this fixture 

MATCH 2054 - Saturday 7 February 2026

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH CUP 5th Round

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  DUNDEE  0

Scorers:  Adamu, Tounekti

Celtic made it through to the next round of the Scottish Cup but only just.  A goal with the last kick of the ball saved them from an early exit at home to Dundee.

A quiet Celtic Park erupted in the 97th of "normal time" as Celtic finally scored and within two minutes of extra time the small crowd nearly took the roof off as Celtic took the lead which was enough to see them through.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• This was the 2nd time attending this fixture this season 
• This was the 4th time attending this fixture in the Scottish Cup
• Overall it was the 74th time attending this fixture  

MATCH 2053 - Sunday 1 February 2026

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  FALKIRK  0

Scorers: Čvančara, Nygren

Celtic faced Falkirk for the third time at Celtic Park this season and again managed to come out on top. A goal in each half secured the victory.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 3rd time attending this fixture this season all at Celtic Park
• This was the 31st time seeing this fixture in the league
• Overall this was the 40th time attending this fixture in all competitions

MATCH 2052 - Thursday 29 January 2026

 SEASON 2025/26

Group Stage

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  UTRECHT  2

Scorers:  Nygren, OG, Engels, Trusty;  de Wit, Blake

Celtic ended their Europa League group campaign against Dutch side Utrecht with a good win which meant qualification to the play off stage.

Celtic raced into a three goal lead thanks to a little helping hand from their Covid season goalie Barkas before Utrecht reduced the lead with two long range strikes. The win was secured with a header from a corner midway through the second half.

Utrecht brought a magnificent support of around 2,500 with them considering they had a poor group stage and were already eliminated.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The second time attending this tie in UEFA competition 
• My 7th UEFA European tie of the season
• This was the 8th time I've seen Dutch clubs in UEFA competition since 1982 all against Celtic

MATCH 2051 - Sunday 18 January 2026

 SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH CUP 4th Round

Venue: RUGBY PARK

AUCHINLECK TALBOT  0  CELTIC  2

Scorers: Kenny, Tounekti

Attendance: 10,723

My second Scottish Cup tie of the weekend and this time to Kilmarnock and my 30th match at Rugby Park.

It was described as David v Goliath as 6th tier Auchinleck Talbot took on Celtic.  With their own ground deemed unfit to host the biggest game in their history it was moved 16 miles to the next nearest senior ground.

As expected Celtic had the vast majority of possession but were limited to small number of clearcut chances.  In the end Celtic had to settle for a goal in each half to see off their Ayrshire opponents.

Under the lights at Rugby Park

Great view from the East Stand

Close to the action!

Match Report:  LINK

Personal note:

• My first Celtic Scottish Cup tie of season 25/26 but my 4th overall
• The first time seeing Auchinleck Talbot but my 30th match at Rugby Park since 1982
• The 155th Celtic tie I've attended in the Scottish Cup since 1981 

MATCH 2050 - Saturday 17 January 2026

SEASON 2025/26

 

SCOTTISH CUP 4th Round

Venue: CARMUIRS PARK

CAMELON JUNIORS  1  ELGIN CITY  3

Scorers:  Kirkpatrick;  Hester(2), OG

Attendance: 1,190

New ground visited within the town of Falkirk which was only a 30 minute drive from Airdrie and finally after 12 games and 40 goals conceded I saw a win for Elgin as they progressed into the next round of the Scottish Cup.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 3rd Scottish Cup tie of the season - all involved different clubs.
• 12th time seeing Elgin all in 12 different grounds
• New ground and first time seeing Camelon Juniors
• Carmuirs Park is the 58th ground I seen a football match in Scotland and the 125th overall throughout Europe.

MATCH 2049 - Saturday 10 January 2026

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  DUNDEE UNITED  0

Scorers:  Yang, Engels, Nygren, Maeda

Martin O'Neill returned again for another stint in the dugout after the very short tenure of Wilfried Nancy and once again he made an immediate impact as Celtic recorded a fine victory over the Arabs.

Celtic scored twice in each half with four different scorers.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• This was the 104th time attending this fixture in the league
• Overall the 123rd time attending this fixture 
• My first time seeing Dundee United this season which takes the total times I've them to 134.