MATCH 1640 - Sunday, 6 March 2016

Season:  2015/16
SCOTTISH CUP Quarter Final
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    3   MORTON    0

Scorers:  Griffiths, Mackay-Steven, McGregor

Championship side Morton were no match for Celtic who quickly saw off their challenge scoring three first half goals to qualify for the semi finals.

The game played on Mothers Day and at 12noon for Sky TV were contributing factors to the  small crowd of around 15,000 with 2,000 from Greenock.

Next up for Celtic is another championship side, The Rangers!

Personal note:  15th meeting I've seen between the side, 3 of which have been in the Scottish Cup.  The last meeting at Celtic Park in 1998 attracted a crowd of 40,000 changed days in Paradise, maybe some fans have been spoiled by the success of the last 15 years.

MATCH 1639 - Wednesday, 2 March 2016

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

CELTIC    0    DUNDEE    0

Dull boring football returns to Celtic Park.  This was the 3rd goalless draw in 14 SPL home matches this season and the 4th time the one upfront system failed, not to mention all three Europa League ties.  In 90 minutes the Dundee keeper only had to make one good save and his team-mates where very comfortable throughout.

Ronnie Deila has proven time and time again he is out of his depth at Celtic.

A year ago this week Celtic lost 1-0 at home to St Johnstone therefore a 0-0 draw at home to Dundee is hardly progress.

The club has got a major decision to make Peter Lawwell is taking the club backwards.

MATCH 1638 - Saturday, 20 Febrauary 2016

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

The Celtic Way

CELTIC    3    INVERNESS  CT    0

Scorers: Mackay-Stevens, Griffiths(2)

More highland visitors at Celtic Park.  And more Green Brigade protests pre match against "the Bill".  They would be better off advising their members to stop using flares which attracts unwanted attention, due to the risk of serious injury to either themselves and other fans.

It was a miserable day around Celtic Park as heavy rain fell all day and the first half performance did little to improve the mood of the home fans still on a low from the League Cup exit.  The players left the field at half time to a chorus of boos.

Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time worked wonders as Celtic were transformed into a very different team.  A smashing second half performance lifted the gloom which had engulfed the club for three weeks.

All three goals were expertly taken by my man of the match, Gary Mackay-Steven and top scorer Griffiths, who took his tally for the season to 32.

With the win Celtic moved six points clear of Aberdeen are now well on course to making it five in a row.

Personal note:  25th meeting between these sides.

MATCH 1637 - Saturday, 13 February 2016

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

CELTIC    2    ROSS COUNTY    0

Scorers:  Griffiths, Boyata

Second game in succession for me between these sides.  Following the League Cup semi final of two weeks ago it was a low key affair before a poor Celtic Park crowd.

Celtic were once again suffering from a lack of confidence at home and played well below acceptable standards.

Personal note:  10th Ross County match all against Celtic - the first one was a Scottish Cup tie in 2004.

MATCH 1636 - Sunday, 31 January 2016

SEASON: 2015/16
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL
Venue:  HAMPDEN PARK (115)

CELTIC    1     ROSS COUNTY    3

Scorers: Mackay-Stevens; Woods, Quinn, Schalk

Celtic's Highland Hoodoo at Hampden continues as a hapless performance sees them meekly fall at the semi final stage yet again.

Celtic took the lead within a minute of kick off but were soon level and a man short following a penalty and an ordering off.

In the second half County took full advantage of having the extra man scoring twice to take them to their second final in six years.

Celtic are a team with no fight and no character when the going gets touch, either in semis or Europe, this team and manager always fail.

Personal note:  30th match of the season. 9th Ross County match of which they have won 3. 1st match seen between the sides in the League Cup

 

MATCH 1635 - Saturday, 23 January 2016

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

CELTIC    3    ST JOHNSTONE    1

Scorers: Mackay-Steven(2), Armstrong

Gary Mackay-Steven inspired Celtic to a hard thought victory over St Johnstone.  It was the second match of the season at Celtic Park between the sides and it produced the exact same result!

After a poor run of home performances Celtic are back in the grove at home with 11 goals in two games.

Personal note:  26th Celtic game this season & the 47th time I've seen us take on St Johnstone

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.