MATCH 1634 - Tuesday, 19 January 2016

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

CELTIC    8    HAMILTON    1

Scorers: Lustig, Bitton, Rogic, Griffiths(3), Forrest, McGregor

For the third time I witnessed a Celtic side put eight past Hamilton in an all out attacking display. 

Three goals up in 10 minutes, 7 up inside 55 minutes - it could have been double figure, it should have been double figures but in the end the home fans were delighted having seen only 4 Celtic goals in their previous 5 home matches.

Personnel note:  25th Hamilton match over 35 years.  20 have been against Celtic which has included two victories for the Accies.

Eight goal performances v Hamilton:

Jan 1987 - Celtic 8 Hamilton 3

Celtic scorers: MacLeod (2), McClair(4), McInally(2)

Nov 1988 - Hamilton 0 Celtic 8

Scorers: McAvennie(3), Stark, McGhee(3), Miller

MATCH 1633 - Sunday, 10 January 2016

SEASON: 2015/16
SCOTTISH CUP 4th ROUND
Venue:  STAIR PARK

STRANRAER    0    CELTIC    3

Scorers:  Griffiths(2), Cole

After getting back from London on the overnight bus at 7.30am it was back out at 12.00 to drive to Stranraer for Celtic's first Scottish Cup tie of the season and my first match at Stair Park.

Extremely cold day despite the bright winter sun making it difficult to see the west side of the ground in the first half but a great step back in time to a old Scottish ground with basic facilities for a large travelling support.

The game was a typical early round tie played on a bumpy pitch in January - short of quality and all about scoring a few goals to get the job done.

Personal note:  2 days, 2 matches, 1000 miles travelled and two new grounds visited.  Total of grounds now 95 overall

MATCH 1632 - Saturday, 9 January 2016

SEASON: 2015/16
ENGLISH FA CUP 3rd ROUND
Venue:  EMIRATES ARSENAL STADIUM

1st match of my cup double weekend!

ARSENAL    3    SUNDERLAND    1

Scorers: Campbell, Ramsey, Giroud;  Lens

An overnight trip to the English capital to see FA Cup tie and visit a new ground thanks to my oldest son, Daniel who arranged the trip.

It was car, train, coach & tube ride to get to the Emirates Stadium. Arriving at Arsenal tube station we went left the long way to the new ground via the old Arsenal stadium aka Highbury.  Now flats and offices thankfully the iconic East Stand outer building has been preserved.  

Old iconic Highbury Stadium

I attended two Celtic matches there in 1986 & 1991 so it was a nice trip down memory lane.

The new ground may not have the same history of the old ground but it's much bigger and very plush with very comfy padded seats throughout the ground setting it apart from most football grounds. All in all it's a very enjoyable matchday experience just be prepared for the long wait to get on the tube after the match, especially if the weather is not pleasant like today!

Sitting in the away end it was good to see Sunderland take the lead which set up an interesting cup tie. Sunderland eventually wilted under the Arsenal pressure despite a fine performance from Pickford in the away goal who was making his debut.

Personal note:  3rd match between these sides & 3rd Arsenal win!

MATCH 1631 - Saturday, 2 January 2016

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

CELTIC    1    PARTICK THISTLE    0
Scorers: Griffiths

A last minute goal for 10 man Celtic sent the home fans home happy but the overall quality of Celtic's performance was still way below Celtic standard.

For much of the match Thistle were the more enterprising team, forcing corner after corner and Craig Gordon the busier of the two keepers.

Personal note: 25th match of season; 23 involving Celtic.  My 33rd match between the sides - 28 in SPL.

MATCH 1630 - Saturday, 19 December 2015

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

CELTIC    1    MOTHERWELL    2

Scorers:  Bitton;  Moult(2)

Celtic continued their poor home form losing to Motherwell who were worthy winners.  It means Celtic have gone four home games without a win and their last home win was back in October.

After a busy morning I got to the ground late but their was little action in the first half.  The second was much better with ex-Celt Scott McDonald the star play on the field.

After Motherwell turned the match on it's head by taking the lead on the hour Celtic failed to create any clear cut chances.

MATCH 1629 - Sunday, 29 November 2015

Season: 2015/16
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CALEDONIAN STADIUM (3)

Milestone:  *** 1400th CELTIC MATCH ***

INVERNESS CT    1    CELTIC    3

Scorers:  Storey;  McGregor, Griffiths, O.G.

A 350 mile round trip which included snow storms in the Cairngorms to watch a dour struggle.  The only real highlight came in the early stages of the match when McGregor scored another of this trademark goals, picking up the ball in midfield, running at the home defence then striking the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Personnel note: 3rd visit to Inverness; 25th meeting between the sides; Overall 27 Inverness matches.

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