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 1627 - Saturday, 21 November 2015

Season 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    0    KILMARNOCK    0

Disappointing performance from Celtic as they are unable to find a way pass a packed Kilmarnock defence.  This was the second SPL match this season at Celtic Park which finished goalless.
A minutes silence was impeccably observed pre-match in recognition of the horrific attack in Paris on the Friday13th November. #PrayforParis

2nd half get underway

Personal note:  69th meeting I've seen between the sides of which 62 have been in the SPL; the 15th draw overall.

Celtic Park looking great under the lights!

MATCH 1626 - Thursday, 5 November 2015

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

BLACK NIGHT FOR CELTS IN EUROPE

CELTIC    1    MOLDE    2

Scorers: Commons;  Elyounoussi; Hestad

This is a 5th of November that Celtic fans will remember for all the wrong reasons.  For 3 short years after beating the might of Barcelona Celtic suffer possibly their worse ever European home defeat.

Personal note:  Molde are the 199th club side I've seen but only the 2nd from Norway, Rosenborg in 2001 were the other club.

MATCH 1625 - Saturday, 31 October 2015

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

CELTIC    3    ABERDEEN    1

Scorers:  Griffiths(2); Forrest;  Rooney

Scene is set

Top of the table clash as Celtic entertained Aberdeen on Halloween!  Griffiths scored a monster header just before half time, then a horror tackle on Commons gave Celtic a penalty early in the scored half which Griffiths duly scored from to make it two.  Forrest strike to put Celtic 3 up helped banish the ghost of defeat from Aberdeen earlier in the season.

Personal note:  My 115th match between the side of which 97 have been in Permier League

MATCH 1624 - Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Season:  2015/16
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP Quarter Final
Venue:  TYNECASTLE STADIUM

HEARTS    1    CELTIC    2

Scorers: Sutchuin-Djoum;  Griffiths, Rogic

A trip through to the capital to play Hearts is always eventful and this one had the added spice of being cup quarter final.  The first half past with few chances for either side.  In the second half the atmosphere intensified with the game on a knife edge.

Hearts had the ball in the net but it was ruled off side, then Leigh Griffiths scored the vital opening goal.  A wonderful effort beating three Hearts defenders then finishing with a smart left foot shot.

The impressive Rogic flicked in the second to confirm Celtic's semi final place after more great play from Griffiths.

It was strange only having a small corner of Tynecastle as I attended matches there in the eighties were we regularly took 10,000 fans to the old ground.

Victorious Celtic team cheered off pitch

Personal note:  My 6th League Cup tie between the sides.  My 32 match in Tynecastle making it my tenth most visited ground. 

MATCH 1623 - Sunday, 25 October 2015

Season: 2015/16

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

Match Programme

CELTIC    5    DUNDEE UNITED    0

Scorers:  Griffiths, Boyata, Commons(2), O.G.

Top v Bottom clash and it showed throughout the match.  Celtic made not be good enough for less than average European sides but they are streets ahead of Scottish clubs, especially ones in the bottom half of the league.

Pre-match Celtic Huddle

Ready to get underway

Personal note: 116th time attending this fixture with 97 in SPL.  Overall 121st Dundee United match they have seldom been so poor.

MATCH 1622 - Saturday, 3 October 2015

Season: 2015/16
SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE
Venue: Palmerston Park

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH    0    HIBERNIAN    3

Scorer:  Cummings, Henderson, Boyle

My first visit to Palmerston Park in Dumfries and it was worth the trip to see Hibs inspired by loanee from Celtic, Liam Henderson put on a commanding display.  It was a beautiful day for football with a crowd of 2,745 watching on.

Away fans

Main Stand

Kick off

The large home terrace was soon empty after the game

Personal note:  2nd non-Celtic match of the season.  Only my 5th Doonhamers match.  Hibs total now 111 against 6 different opponents

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