MATCH 1621 - Thursday, 1 October 2015

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

Celtic    2    Fenerbahçe    2

Scorers: Griffiths, Commons;  Viana de Santana(2)

A quality Europa League tie ends all square as Celtic squander a two goal lead.  This was the first time Celtic had faced Turkish opposition.  

Fenerbahçe included ex-Manchester United players Nani & Van Persie in their line but it was their substitute that caused Celtic's defence problems.

Pre-match

The formalities

Personal note:  117th Celtic match in European competitions.  First team from Turkey. Fenerbahçe are the 198th club I've seen.

MATCH 1620 - Saturday, 26 September 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC     0    HEARTS    0

Despite numerous chances created Celtic are unable to test nevermind beat the Hearts keeper.

Efe Ambrose takes one for the team in injury time picking up a red card for a last man foul.

The return of Hearts

MATCH 1619 - Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP 3rd ROUND
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    RAITH ROVERS    0

Scorers:  Commons, Johansen

Although Celtic fail to reach the heights achieved in previous match it was a relatively straight-forward tie.

Personnel note: 100th Celtic League Cup tie - 6 have involved Raith Rovers.  Overall 19th Raith match.

Sparse crowd for game 2 of 4 in only 11 days

MATCH 1618 - Sunday, 21 September 2015

Season 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    6    DUNDEE    0

Scorers: Rogic, Griffiths, Izaguirre(2), Brown, Ciftci

First of four home matches in 11 days!

Celtic rip Dundee apart scoring 6 (could've been 12!) but the best moment was when Emilo Izagurrie going for his hat trick after scoring a quick double in the second half took a penalty and missed by a country mile.

Personal note - this was my 60th Dundee match all bar one against Celtic.

MATCH 1617 - Saturday, 29 August 2015

Season 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    3    ST JOHNSTONE    1

Scorers: Griffiths, Rogic, Mulgrew;  OG

Teams take the field

Celtic eventually recover from midweek Champions League disappointment to beat Perth Saints who were going for 3 Celtic Park wins on the trot following their League win last season and their Cup final win.  Not to be on this occasion but it took some terrific saves from Craig Gordon to restrict them to one goal.

Scott Allan made his Celtic Park debut in the second half.

Waterbhoys

Polish Bhoys pre match

Personal note: 

Fixture count 46 encounters between these sides, overall 47th St Johnstone match of which 42 in the league.

MATCH 1616 - Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Season:  2015/16
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

My little legend!

CELTIC    3    MALMO    2

Scorers: Griffiths(2), Bitton;  Berget(2)

Fantastic night of European football at Celtic Park with both sets of fans experiencing a rollercoaster ride of football's highs and lows.  There was a near capacity crowd and a terrific away following from Sweden that created a wonderful atmosphere that you only get in Champions League football.

At 3-1 up going into the latter stages Celtic were one second away from a very good result, one goal away from an exceptional result or one goal away from a mini disaster.  Like Alex Ferguson old European comment "just when you think you are OK the roof falls in".  And that's exactly what happened when Malmo scored a last second goal to bring the tie within their reach again.  For the first time the atmosphere change to incredible silence except for the merry band of Malmo fans.

Leigh Griffiths produced a splendid No. 9 performance scoring twice.

The stage is set!

Personal note:  Malmo became the 197th club side that I've seen and the fourth European tie involving a Swedish club following Gothenburg, Helsingborgs IF and IF Elfsborg.
In order to keep my run of 14 years of not missing a home match going my little daughter attended her first UEFA tie.

MATCH 1615 - Saturday, 15 August 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    4    INVERNESS CT    2

Scorers: Lustig, Griffiths, Armstrong(2);  Christie, Lopez

My 24th fixture between these sides - 20 in the SPL.  A strong performance from Celtic until the 70th minute, then ICT gave their very small travelling support something to cheer about with two good goals.

Stuart Armstrong was the main man scoring two second half goals.


New signing from Hibs, Scott Allan was introduced to the crowd before the start of the match.

MATCH 1614 - Saturday 1 August 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK (903)

FLAG DAY IN PARADISE

Setting the scene for John Clark

CELTIC    2    ROSS COUNTY    0

Scorers:  Griffiths, Johansen

My 7th Celtic match of the season although it's the opening game of the league season.  It was a one sided first 45 minutes however County came into the match more in the second, creating a number of chances.

Pre match Celtic raised their 46th league flag in recognition of last seasons'  league title win.

Fans enjoying the occasion

Personal note:  Only my 8th match involving these sides, Celtic have a win rate of 50%

MATCH 1613 - Wednesday 29 July 2015

SEASON:  2015/16
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK (902)

CELTIC    1    QARABAG    0

Scorer:  Boyata

Over 43,000 Celtic fans in attendance as the UEFA Champions League qualifying process steps up a level and the Champions of Azerbaijan prove to be touch opponents.  It takes Celtic until the last 10 minutes to find the breakthrough.

The hand shakes

The huddle

Sorted for kick off

Personal note:  136th UEFA tie of which 115 involve Celtic

Qarabag become the 196th club that I've seen but the 1st from Azerbaijan

MATCH 1612 - Saturday, 25 July 2015

Season:  2015/16
FRIENDLY
Venue:  CELTIC PARK (901)

CELTIC    2    RENNES    0

Scorers: Griffiths, Mackay-Steven

Low key pre-season friendly with only around 15,000 turning up.

Personal note: Stade Rennes 2nd visit to Celtic Park bringing the total number of matches I've seen involving French teams to 12.   

9 club & 3  national matches

Pre-match huddle

View from section 440

The Great North Stand - 20 years old!

Venue from the Emirates Arena after the match