MATCH 1539 - Saturday, 4th January 2014

Season: 2013/14
F.A. CUP - 3rd Round
Venue:  EWOOD PARK (7)

                           

BLACBURN ROVERS    1    MANCHESTER CITY    1

 Scorers:  Dann;  Negredo

 

 

First of two FA Cup ties in two days.  Stayed overnight in Blackburn Travelodge ideal location for anyone visiting Ewood Park for a game.  We were not sure where to park but opted for Asda car park and walked down the hill (about 10-15 minute walk).  Great travelling support from City but they were not given much to shout about as their team gave an indifferent performance.  Blackburn had the best of the second half and were a little unfortunate no to edge the tie.

 

Personal note: 2nd time seeing both these teams this season. Overall totals now Rovers 12, City 5, FA Cup 8.

MATCH 1538 - New Years Day 2014

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC     1    PARTICK THISTLE    0

Scorer:  Ledley

 

The new Glasgow derby

Played in terrible conditions as heavy rain drenched Celtic Park for the entire 90 minutes.  Thistle played the match as a derby but Celtic failed to rise to the occasion and were very fortunate to record another victory.

 

 

Personal note:

31st Partick Thistle match - 25th in SPL

 

 

 

MATCH 1537 - Saturday, 21 December 2013

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                  

CELTIC    2    HEARTS    0

Scorer:  Commons, Forrest

 

Top v bottom as Hearts play their last league match at Parkhead for a while as they head for the lower division football.  Just before Christmas and typically the crowd was poor and so was the game.  After losing seven in the cup Hearts defended in numbers and nearly stole a point when a last minute header was cleared off the line by goalscorer, Commons before second half sub, James Forrest wrapped up the win in injury time.

 

MATCH 1536 - Saturday, 14 December 2013

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                               

CELTIC     1     HIBERNIAN     0

Scorer:  Pukki 

 

Awful day for football - heavy rain, gusty winds and winter cold. Unfortunately the game mirrored the conditions.

Personal note:
103rd Battle of the Greens (90 in league)
108th Hibs match (92 in league)
 

MATCH 1535 - Sunday,1 December 2013

Season 2013/14
SCOTTISH CUP 4th ROUND
Venue:  TYNECASTLE STADIUM

               

HEARTS     0     CELTIC     7

Scorers: Commons(3), Brown(2), Ledley, Lustig,

An outrageous performance from Celtic to progress in the cup.  Nevermind the goals from start to finish the back four passed the ball for fun.  This was Celtic's biggest ever win over Hearts.

Personal note:  117th Celtic tie in the cup including 8 against Hearts

MATCH 1534 - Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Season:  2013/14

 

Group match - day 5

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

 

CELTIC    0     MILAN    3

Scorers: Kaka, Zapata, Balotelli

 

Great performance from Milan and a terrific atmosphere throughout.  After scoring a simple headed goal early in the game the confidence flowed through the side and they looked once again a seasoned Champions League team.  Unfortunately for Celtic the great Kaka of old turned up and gave a wonderful performance.  When he ran at the Celtic defence he was like a locomotive train.

 

Personal note: 6th occasion seeing Milan all in Champions League but only their second win.

MATCH 1533 - Saturday, 23 November 2013

Season  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

            

CELTIC    3    ABERDEEN    1

Scorers:  Commons(2), Boerrigter;  McGinn

 

Aberdeen fans were in confident mood all afternoon and their side gave a solid performance but were undone in injury time again at Celtic Park as Celtic another late winner.  Derk Boerrigter scored his first goal for Celtic.

 

Personal note:  113th Aberdeen match of which 110 against Celtic and 94th in the SPL.

MATCH 1532 - Sunday, 10 November 2013

Season:  2013/14
ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP
Venue:  STADIUM OF LIGHT

 

SUNDERLAND   1   MANCHESTER CITY   0

Scorer:  Bardsley

 

We started off at 8.15am and after stopping at Carlisle for 20 minutes made it to Sunderland for 11.30am.  Very cold but sunny all the way.

On Remembrance Sunday there was a tasteful and respectful minutes silence.  This was the first time visiting the Stadium of Light since March and under new manager, Gus Poyet the Black Cats have rediscovered their fighting spirit.  Outclassed for the whole of the match but fought all the way to record an impressive win.  Ex-Celt Ki lined up against Yaya Toure in central midfield.  He had a good day and was unlucky not to make it 2 nil.

On our return journey we stopped off at Gretna Services.  I didn't realise the number of Sunderland fans in Scotland as their were a few bus loads of kids also returning from the game.

 

Personal note:  28th Sunderland match; 4th Manchester City match.

 

MATCH 1531 - Saturday, 2 November 2013

Season:  2013/14
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                             

 

CELTIC    1    DUNDEE UNITED    1

Scorers: Mulgrew;  Armstrong

 

United came within seconds of recording their first Celtic Park win for over 20 years as Charlie Mulgrew headed an equaliser deep into injury time.  Jackie McNamara's side conceded 10 goals in two visits last season but their overall improvement continued with a mature performance.

 

Personal stats:

• This was my 13th Celtic match of the season
• Celtic v Dundee United matches no. 109
• 91 in the Scottish Premier League
• Overall Dundee United match no.112

Football Focus - GOING DUTCH

All my matches to date involving Dutch sides:

 

1982 - EUROPEAN CUP - CELTIC  2  AJAX  2

1989 - FRIENDLY - CELTIC  1  AJAX  0

1995 - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL - AJAX  1  MILAN  0

1996 - EURO 96  - NETHERLANDS 0 SCOTLAND 0

1996 - EURO 96 - FRANCE 0 NETHERLANDS 0

1997 - FRIENDLY -  CELTIC  2  FEYENOORD  2

2001 - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIER - CELTIC 0 AJAX 1

2001 - FRIENDLY -  CELTIC  1  AJAX  3

2008 - FRIENDLY -  FEYENOORD  1  CELTIC  3

2010 - FRIENDLY -  CELTIC  1  AZ ALKMAAR  2

2010 - UEFA CUP QUALIFIER - CELTIC  2  UTRECHT  0

2013 - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP - CELTIC 2 AJAX 1