MATCH 1655 - Wednesday, 3 August 2016

Season:  2016/17

Qualifying Round, 2nd Leg
Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    FC ASTANA    1

Scorers: Griffiths, Dembele;  Ibraimi

Three seasons ago Celtic defeated Kazakhstan opponents to reach the group stage of the Champions League this time it only took them a step nearer.  Two down, one to go!

MATCH 1654 - Saturday, 23 July 2016

Season:  2016/17
Friendly - INTERNAIONAL FOOTBALL CUP
Venue:  Celtic Park

CELTIC    1    LEICESTER CITY    1

Scorers:  O'Connell;  Mahrez

The English champions no less visited Celtic Park for a prestigious pre-season friendly.  It was the first time I had seen the two sides play each other.

MATCH 1653 - Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Season:  2016/17

Qualifying Round, 2nd Leg

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC   3   LINCOLN RED IMPS   0

Scorers: Lustig, Griffiths, Roberts

Celtic eased past their Gibraltarian opponents who had caused a major upset by winning the first leg. One down two to go in the club's quest to be in the Champions League group stage.

MATCH 1652 - Saturday, 16 July 2016

SEASON:  2016/17
FRIENDLY
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    WOLFSBURG    1

Scorers: McGregor, Christie;  Caligiuri

My first Celtic match of my 37th season following Celtic and new manager, Brenden Rodgers first home match. 

Pre-match we headed into Glasgow to watch a little of the Homeless World Cup in George's Square. 

Personnel note: 

Wolfsburg the 8th different German side to visit Celtic Park

MATCH 1651 - Thursday, 14 July 2016

SEASON: 2016/17

QUALIFYING ROUND - 1st Leg

Venue:  EASTER ROAD STADIUM

Hibernian    0    Brøndby IF    1



Scorer:  Wilczek

I travelled through to Edinburgh to watch Hibs' reward for winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in over 100 years - a return to European football in the Europa League.  It was a lovely summers evening in the capital for what was also Neil Lennon's first match in charge of Hibernian.  Within 20 seconds his new side were behind due to a bad goalkeeping error however it didn't get any worse and Hibs were unlucky not to get something from the game as a dubious off side decision just before half time denied them an equalizer.


Link to:  Official UEFA.com stats

Brondby outside South Stand

 

Personal note:  143rd European tie, 1st Hibs tie & 1st time seeing Brondby - club no. 203



MATCH 1650 - Thursday, 7 July 2016

SEASON:  2016/17

QUALIFYING ROUND - 2nd leg

Venue:  BELLE VUE STADIUM



my ticket

BALA TOWN    0    AIK STOCKHOLM    2

Scorers:  Avdic, Strandberg

New season for me starts in Rhyl, North Wales with a UEFA Europa League qualifying tie.  The small compact all seater ground is the venue - a new ground to add to my list.

There was small but lively crowd of fans from Sweden and as previously experienced they were all friendly and well behaved.

AIK fans

Having won the first leg 2-0 AIK completed their overall victory with another 2-0 win on the night, which saw them progress 4-0 on aggregate. 

The pre-match line up

Personal note: New ground no. 96 and two new clubs nos. 201 & 202

Link to:  Official UEFA.com stats

MATCH 1649 - Sunday, 15 May 2016

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

CELTIC    7    MOTHERWELL    0

Scorers: Tierney, Rogic, Lustig, Armstrong, Roberts, Christie, Aitchison

A fitting way to end the season, a stunning seven goal performance with seven different scorers.  Ronny Deila brief two year stint as manager at least came to a happy ending.  While Jack Aitchison career began with a goal immediately after coming on as a second half substitute.

Personnel note: 14th complete season in a row without missing a home match

43 matches for this season including 36 Celtic games

MATCH 1648 - Sunday, 8 May 2016

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

CELTIC    3    ABERDEEN    2

Scorers: Roberts(2), Lustig;  McGinn, Considine

Celtic wrapped up their 5th title in a row by beating their main challengers, Aberdeen.  The match perfectly summed up the season with Celtic racing into a three goal lead but unable to keep up their dominance as Aberdeen hit back with two goals and just like their league challenge they just fell short on they day of taking something from the match.

Personnel note:  120th Aberdeen all but two against Celtic.

MATCH 1647 - Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Season:  2015/16
SCOTTISH LEAGUE 1 PLAY-OFF 1st Leg
Venue:  BROADWOOD STADIUM (4)

CLYDE    3    ELGIN CITY    1

Scorers: Gemmell, Linton, McLaughlin;  MacLeod

My first Elgin City match making them the 200th club I've seen.

Unfortunately the side that tried to play some football lost the first leg of this Play-off, in part due to the performance of the three officials who ranged from hopeless to homers.

Maybe in the return leg the chosen ref will equally favour the home side.

MATCH 1646 - Sunday, 24 April 2016

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

CELTIC    1    ROSS COUNTY    1
Scorers:  Griffiths;  Murdoch

My 40th match of the season