MATCH 1955 - Sunday 25 February 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: FIR PARK

MOTHERWELL  1  CELTIC  3

Scorers: Spittal; Idah(2), Palma

My second visit to Fir Park this season and like the first one there was late drama in time added on as Celtic won the three points with two late strikes.

It was certainly "a game of two halves" for Celtic in terms of performance. First half was very laboured with few chances however they were transformed in the second after a change upfront.  Idah replaced Kyogo and the second half was just a series of Celtic chances. 

Personal note:

• 124th time attending this fixture - 111th in the league
• 54th match at Fir Park - 47 Celtic matches

Match report: LINK

MATCH 1954 - Saturday 24 February 2024

SEASON 2023/24

ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP

Venue: OLD TRAFFORD 

MANCHESTER UNITED  1  FULHAM  2

Scorers: Maguire;  Bassey, Iwobi

Attendance: 73,487

My third Man U match this year and despite going into the game in good form they struggled badly to get into the game without of their main striker Rasmus Hojlund who was missing due to injury.

Fulham totally dominated the game and despite conceding an equaliser in the final minute deservedly won it deep into stoppage time (90+6 minute).

Unfortunately one of the players I always enjoy watching Willian of Fulham also missed out due to injury.

Rasmus Hojlund - A big miss today

My view today from the North Stand (section N41)

The huge East Stand

Personal note:

• My 78th Manchester United match with 50 of them at Old Trafford
• 4th time seeing Fulham

MATCH 1953 - Saturday 17 February 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  KILMARNOCK  1

Scorers:  Kyogo;  Watson

Another poor home performance from Celtic as they fail score more than one goal again and pay the price in time added on.

Personal note:

• 3rd time attending this fixture this season
• 76th time seeing the fixture in the league
• 86th time overall

MATCH 1952 - Wednesday 7 February 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  EASTER ROAD STADIUM

HIBERNIAN  1  CELTIC  2

Scorers: Levitt; Idah(2)

Celtic are awarded two penalties in the 1st and last minute of this difficult away match and recent loan signing Adam Idah converts both to score his first goals for the club and to win the game.

Personal note:

1. 124th time attending the "Battle of the Scottish Greens"of which 108 have been in the league
2. 54th visit to Easter Road including 48 v Celtic

MATCH 1951 - Saturday 27 January 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  ROSS COUNTY  0

Scorer:  Johnston

A poor 90+ minutes at Celtic Park. A Celtic goal in first minute then a missed penalty even after a retake was ordered by VAR.  The performance suffered greatly after that.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• 26th time seeing this fixture.  Celtic Park 18,  Hampden 2,  Victoria Park 6.
• First time seeing a goal from right back, Alistair Johnston (albeit via a huge deflection)

MATCH 1950 - Sunday 21 January 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH CUP 4th Round

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  5  BUCKIE THISTLE  0

Scorers:  Bernardo, Holm, Kyogo, Palma, Vata

Bernardo opens the scoring

MATCH 1949 - Sunday 14 January 2024

SEASON 2023/24

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  2  TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR  2

Scorers:  Hojlund, Rashford; Richarlison, Bentancur

My first trip to Old Trafford this season.  To see United take on ex-Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou's new club Spurs.  While they have been enjoying a better than expected season, United have been performing well below expected levels.

After a great start from United scoring inside 3 minutes, Tottenham controlled most of the game however by the end of the game United were unlucky not to win after having the best of the chances.

Travel:  Car to Motherwell train station for 8:35 train to Glasgow Central. Bus Glasgow (10am) to Manchester city centre arriving just after 2pm. Metro to Old Trafford cricket ground and 10 minute walk to the football equivalent. 

Returning by rail to Motherwell, however the Manchester Piccadilly to Preston leg had a rail replacement service (bus) but thankfully this was the only hassle on the day and I was easily back home for 12.

Overall another good trip to the Theatre of Dreams.

The huge North Stand (renamed after Alex Ferguson) 

View from my seat in the East Stand upper

Personal note:

• 4th time attending this fixture all at Old Trafford
• My 56th match at Old Trafford, making it my 3rd most visited ground.
• Overall the 77th time seeing Man Utd and 15th time seeing Tottenham Hotspur

Minor Match 68 - Saturday 13 January 2024

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH LOWLANDS LEAGUE

Venue: EAST PEFFERMILL

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY  1  CELTIC-B  3

MATCH 1948 - Monday 8 January 2024

SEASON  2023/24

FA CUP 3rd ROUND

Venue: DW STADIUM

WIGAN ATHLETIC  0  MANCHESTER UNITED  2

Scorers: Dalot, Fernandes

Although United had a small distance to travel to one of their neighbours in their first FA Cup tie of the season I set out at 9am for my first trip to Wigan. Train into Glasgow, followed by Flixbus to Manchester, a short walk to Manchester Victoria station to catch the train to Wigan Wallgate.  The final leg of the trip was a walk to the ground which was about 25 minuntes but very straightforward. 

The visit of United even although they have not been in great form attracted a near capacity and noisy crowd of 22,870.

The Reds receiving the biggest of the four stands on the East side of the ground which made for a great cup tie atmosphere.

As for the game the first half was good but the second poor.  Man United should've had a comfortable 3/4 goal lead at half-time instead of the slim one goal lead.  The second half was a non-event with United fortunate to add to their lead through a disputed penalty. 

Personal note:

• New ground and club for me DW Stadium and Wigan Athletic FC.
• 15th different ground I've watched Manchester United in.
• My 76th Man Utd match.

MATCH 1947 - Saturday 30 December 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  RANGERS*  1

Scorers:  Bernardo, Kyogo;  Tavernier

Portugese midfielder Bernardo celebrates scoring his first Celtic Park goal

Three excellent goals from two ordinary teams. No away fans for this fixture again and it certainly worked in Celtic's favour as Celtic Park is a horrible place for any Rangers side and even worse with no one in their corner.

The latest Rangers* manager in charge at Celtic Park was Belgian, Philippe Clement.

Personal note:

• 20th time seeing this "new" fixture
• 12th time in league - all at Celtic Park (unsurprisingly)  
• Last match of 2023 in all 47 attended, 37 Celtic and 10 non-Celtic

A team with no support