MATCH 2081 - Thursday 27 August 2026

SEASON 2026/27

Qualifying Round - 2nd Leg

Venue:  EASTER ROAD STADIUM

HIBERNIAN  2  GENT  3

Scorers:  Kerr, Passleck;  Vergara, Burgess, OG

Attendance:  18.997

View from the middle of the Pat Stanton Stand

This was a great chance to experience a full Easter Road and in the very impressive one tier Pat Stanton Stand to see if Hibs could qualify for the group stages of an UEFA competition for the first time.  

Their opponents were Belgium side, Gent who I saw back in 1984 against Celtic.

With less than 15 minutes to go Hibs took a 2-1 lead to send the crowd into dreamland and looked set to qualify as Gent rarely threatened in the second half except for one very dangerous corner kick.  So all Hibs needed to do was avoid concession of a corner however with just six minutes of normal time remaining they gave away a needless corner and all the fears were realised because this time the delivery was even better into the six-yard box and only required a neat glancing header to send the ball home which levelled the tie.  Hibs never recovered and conceded again in injury time to end their dreams.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

•  This was my 3rd time seeing Hibernian in UEFA competition and the 2nd time seeing Gent
• Overall this was my 216th UEFA tie including 42 not involving Celtic
• This was my 7th game I've seen in UEFA European competition involving clubs from Belgium

Hibs fans dreaming of more European trips

Unfortunately their dreams go up in smoke

MATCH 2080 - Wednesday 19 August 2026

SEASON 2026/27

Qualifying Round 1st Leg

CELTIC  3  LASK  0

Scorers:  Nygren, Duran(2)

The scene is set.

As always with UEFA Champions League qualifiers at Celtic Park the atmosphere is a mixture of excitement and nervous tension.  Tonight was no different although the three goals from Celtic and two goals ruled off side for the Austrian champions helped to lift the tension slightly.

This was Celtic's first meeting with LASK Linz from the north of Austria close to the Czechia border in UEFA competition.

It has to be noted that the fans from Linz where a credit to their club supporting their players throughout despite a difficult night.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• This 1st time seeing LASK.  Overall the 5th Austrian club I've seen.
• This was the 8th time seeing Celtic play Austrian opposition 

FLASHBACK - MATCH 1191- Wednesday 17 May 2006

 SEASON 2005/06

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Venue:  STADE DE FRANCE

BARCELONA  2  ARSENAL  1

Scorers:  Eto'o, Belletti; Campbell

Arsenal in their first UEFA Champions League final suffered an early blow when their German goalkeeper Lehmann was sent off leaving them to play over 70 minutes with 10 men.  Remarkably though the 10 men took the lead before half time against the much fancied Spanish giants.

It wasn't until the latter stages of the match and the introduction of Henrik Larsson that Barcelona eventually found the goals to take the final away from Arsenal and to win their second European Champions title.

The stats from the match:

Barcelona: Valdes, Oleguer (Belletti 71), Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Edmilson (Iniesta 45), Van Bommel (Larsson 61), Giuly, Eto'o, Ronaldinho.

Subs Not Used: Jorquera, Motta, Xavi, Sylvinho.

Booked: Oleguer, Larsson.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Pires (Almunia 20), Silva, Fabregas (Flamini 74), Hleb (Reyes 85), Ljungberg, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Bergkamp, Van Persie, Senderos, Clichy.

Sent Off: Lehmann (18).

Booked: Eboue, Henry.

Att: 79,500

Ref: Terje Hauge (Norway).

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The 4th time I attended a Champions League final - the 2nd involving Barcelona
• The 2nd time I attended a match in Paris

Highlights:

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 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 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 so 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 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 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 
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MATCH 2029 - Thursday 2 October 2025

SEASON 2025/26

Group Stage

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  0  SPORTING BRAGA  2

Scorers:  Horta, Martinez

Matchday 2 in the UEFA Europa League as Celtic hosted Portuguese outfit, Sporting Club Braga to give them their full title.  The deadlock was broken midway through the first half by a long range effort which seemed to decieve goalkeeper Schmeichel.

In the second half Celtic had an equalising goal controversially dissallowed which the Video Assistant Referee could have asked the match referee to review but this didn't happen. 

Late in the game Braga sealed victory with a scappy goal and Celtic were unable to muster a reply.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:  

• 2nd time attending this fixture both in UEFA competition at Celtic Park
• Overall the 3rd time seeing SC Braga all in UEFA competitions
• Over the years I've seen six clubs from Portugal in European competitions
•  This was my 10th tie I've seen at Celtic Park between Celtic and Portuguese clubs

MATCH 2027 - Wednesday 24 September 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

Group Stage

Venue:  Stadion Rajko Mitic

RED STAR BELGRADE  1  CELTIC  1

Scorers:  Arnautovic;  Iheanacho

Very much a bonus match as I won a competition with the Celtic Pools for a wonderful trip to this match in Serbia that included flights, hotel, walking tour, coach transfers and match tickets.

Our tickets were in a small section in the main stand among the hordes of Red Star fans. Thankfully they were friendly except for one young man, an 11 year old boy stating just outside the ground "you are not safe" to our small group passing through the scores of home fans.

The match started in heavy rain. Locals were unhappy and headed for cover.  In first half Celtic had lots of procession however it was Red Star who created the chances but the match was goalless at half-time.  

In the second Celtic start strongly making several chances and were rewarded when substitute Iheanacho scores but 10 minutes later the tie was level again as strong pressure from Red Star forced the equaliser.

In the end a draw is a fair outcome.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• Second occasion seeing this fixture but first time in UEFA competition.
• 8th time seeing Celtic in UEFA competition in mainland Europe and 9th overall.
• First visit to Serbia - the 15th country I've seen football in.

FULL TRIP ITINERARY & SUMMARY:

• Day 1: 11:30am Meet and collect tickets in Glasgow airport
• Congregate in lounge with light lunch and drinks (bump into Jim Craig)
• Flight to Belgrade at 2pm (arrive 6:30pm local time)
• Arrive at 5 star Bristol Hotel at 7:30pm
• A relaxed evening walk then a few drinks in the Three Carrots Irish Bar
• Day 2:  Breakfast at 9am
• 11am Walking Tour through Belgrade fortress
• Afternoon in city centre and a final drink in Irish Bar
• Pick up for match at 7:15pm
• Arrive for game at 7:45pm
• Kick off at 9pm
• Whisked away straight after game to Belgrade airport
• Depart at 2am and arrive back in Glasgow as scheduled at 4am