MATCH 1628 - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Season:  2015/16
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Group Stage
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

Pre-match build up

CELTIC    1    AJAX    2

Scorers:  McGregor;  Milik, Cerny

Another disappointing experience in Europe for Celtic as a young hoops side was narrowly beaten by Ajax.  It was far from the vintage of 1982, 2001 or even 2013 when the sides went head to head in previous European campaigns.  This was the fifth time the clubs had faced each other in UEFA competition but the first meeting in the UEFA Europa League.  The match lacked a bit of quality compared to the great matches of the past and it was more like a B-match however it was still an exciting encounter as both sides went all out for the first win in the group.

Ajax fans packed out the away end and created a great noise throughout the match.

The scene is set

Kick off in front of 45,000 fans

Personnel note:  7th Ajax match overall including 4 European ties v Celtic all in Glasgow.

1982 - Celtic 2 Ajax 2 (My 1st European tie)

2001 - Celtic 0 Ajax 1  

2013 - Celtic 2 Ajax 1

MATCH 1530 - Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Season:  2013/14

Group match - Day 3
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

 

CELTIC    2    AJAX    1
Scorers:  Forrest, Kayal; Schöne

Sixth occasions seeing Ajax unfortunately like the other times they did not wear their famous red stripe strip.

MATCH 36 - 15 September 1982 - FLASHBACK

Season:  1982/83
EUROPEAN CUP - 1st Round 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

*** My first European match ***

CELTIC    2    AJAX    2
Scorers: Nicholas (14 pen), McGarvey (27); Olsen (4), Lerby (18)

Johan Cryuff played in this memorable European tie but it was Jesper Olsen that proved to be the real Ajax star on the night with a wonder goal to open the scoring.  1982 Celtic were a fine side though and fought all the way to earn a draw on the night.

Ajax's second goal was a thing of beauty.

Teams

Celtic:
Bonner, McGrain, McAdam, Moyes, Reid, McStay, Burns (Sullivan 84), MacLeod, Provan, Nicholas, McGarvey


Ajax:
Galje, Molenaar, Van Veen, Molby, Boeve, Schoenaker, Ophof, Cryuff, Lerby, Olsen, Vanenburg

Att: 56,229

My ticket:

My first scarf bought after the game:

Highlights: