MATCH 2015 - Thursday 8 May 2025

SEASON 2024/25

Semi Final 2nd Leg

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  4  ATHLETIC CLUB  1

Scorers:  Mount(2), Casemiro, Hojlund;  Mikel Jauregizar

(Aggregate: 7-1)

Attendance: 73,298

Manchester United came from behind on the night to comfortably book their place in the final which will be played at Athletic's home ground in Bilbao.  Despite being 3 goals down from the first leg the fantastic fans from Bilbao travelled in large numbers and they got some reward with a good first half performance from their team which included the opening goal of the second leg to make it uncomfortable for the United's fans at half time.

However as soon as United levelled the match up in the second half the task was just too great for Athletic as United confidence grew they began to wilt.  4-1 flattered United as did the overall aggregate score of 7-1 however they remain unbeaten in the competition including the five home victories in the ties I have managed to attend this season.

The A fans from Bilbao:

Full support to the end

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• The 5th time I attended a Manchester United match this season all in the UFEA Europa League
• Overall the 22nd time seeing Man United in UEFA competition, including three semi final ties
• This was the first time seeing Athletic Club in UEFA competition but overall I've now seen 11 clubs from Spain competing

MATCH 2014 - Sunday 20 April 2025

 SEAS0N 2024/25

SCOTTISH CUP SEMI FINAL

Venue:  HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC  5  ST JOHNSTONE  0

Scorers: McGregor, Maeda(2), Idah, Jota

Attendance: 43,632

My normal view from the East Stand

As the clock ticked past the 30 minute mark St Johnstone must have been pleased with the first half hour of the match as the score was still 0-0 and Celtic not causing any serious problems but by half-time they were 4-0 down and facing an impossible task to reach another cup final.

After captain, Callum McGregor fired Celtic into the lead they quickly found their final pass accuracy which had been missing in the early stages.  McGregor then turn provider for Maeda to make it two.  Soon after Idah made it three before Maeda added his second right on the stroke of half time to make it four.  Jota neatly finished a good move at the back post in the second half to complete the five goal rout which sent Celtic into another Scottish Cup Final.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• My 141st match at Hampden Park
• Fourth time attending this fixture this season
• 6th time attending this fixture in the Scottish Cup - with 2 at Hampden, both in the semi final
• Overall this was the 67th time attending this fixture - play in four stadia: Muirton Park 1, Celtic Park 48, McDermid Stadium 16 and Hampden 2

Halfway to Paradise

Paradise II on Easter Sunday
From the back of Hampden Celtic Park clearly in view

MATCH 2013 - Thursday 17 April 2025

SEASON 2024/25

QUARTER FINAL 2nd Leg

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER UNITED  5  LYON  4

(After Extra Time)

Scorers: Ugarte, Dalot, Fernandes, Main, Maguire;  Tolisso, Tagliafico, Cherki, Lacazette

Aggregate: 7-6

An amazing UEFA Europa League tie at the "Theatre of Dreams" as Manchester United recovered from being 4-2 down in extra-time to win 5-4 with 3 goals in the last 7 minutes to book their place in the semi final.

The game was a roller-coaster as it went from United 2 up v 11 to 2 down v 10 to 5-4 in two hours of great European football.

Man United took a two goal lead in the first half and were well in control and should have increased their lead at the beginning of the second half but once Lyon pulled one back they looked the most likely to scored again and they did to send the match into extra-time. Lyon did have a set back when they were reduced to 10 men before then end of the 90 minutes but it did not hold them back from taking control of the match in extra time as they went 4-2 up and then came the most dramatic comebacks from United in last 7 minutes

My journey this time to Old Trafford was firstly by car to Blackpool and then train and metro from Blackpool to Manchester to Old Trafford but well worth it - in the end.

The starting XI's but not by no means the full cast of stars

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• My 4th match at Old Trafford this season - all in the UEFA Europa League
• Overall the 21st time seeing Manchester United in UEFA European competition since 1991
• The 4th time seeing Lyon 

MATCH 2012 - Saturday 12 April 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  5  KILMARNOCK  1

Scorers:  Hatate(2), Maeda, Carter-Vickers, Ralston; Armstrong

Celtic raced into a four nil lead in the first half including two memorable long ranch shots, firstly from Hatate to open the scoring and then a thunderbolt from Carter-Vickers.  Kilmarnock pulled one back which was also a great goal to add to the first half entertainment.

After being spoiled in the first half, the second half was nowhere near the same level and it wasn't until the final seconds of the game that another goal was added to the tally.

The win and the three points means that Celtic are on the brink of the league title.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The 3rd time attending this fixture this season - all at Celtic Park
• The 78th time seeing this League fixture - including 51 at Celtic Park
• Overall the 89th time attending this fixture - with 54 at Celtic Park

MY FULL BREAKDOWN FOR THIS FIXTURE

MATCH 2011 - Sunday 6 April 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  McDIARMID PARK

ST JOHNSTONE  1  CELTIC  0

Scorer:  Balodis

This was a bottom v top clash but an early goal from the home was enough to upset the odds and give the Saints a valuable win in their fight to stay in the top flight of Scottish football.

An off day for Celtic despite a support taking up three stands inside McDiarmid Park.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 3rd time attending this fixture this season - 2 at McDiarmid Park & 1 at Celtic Park
• 59th time seeing this fixture in the league
• Overall the 64th time seeing this fixture including 17 at McDiarmid Stadium

MATCH 2010 - Saturday 29 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH PRMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  3  HEARTS  0

Scorers:  Maeda(2), Jota

AMAZING MAEDA

All three goals are scored in the first half with the amazing Daizen Maeda scoring two and assisting with the other. After scoring the first when he was sent clear through the middle, he was a whisker away from his second a third when a glancing header came off the inside of the post but fell nicely into the path of Jota who made it 2-0.  Then he finished off a great quick Celtic attack by tapping in at the back post.

Hearts had their chances early in the first 45 minutes but while they missed Cltic and Maeda in particular were clinical.

Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo made his league debut and will be happy with his clean sheet after making a fine, sharp save in the opening stages of the match.

The latest Hearts manager to visit Celtic Park is Englishman, Neil Critchley.

Cold, wet & windy day in Paradise

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• First time attending this fixture this season
• The 103rd time attending the fixture in the league since 1981
• Overall I've now seen this fixture 120 times

MATCH 2009 - Sunday 16 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  RANGERS*  3

Scorers:  Maeda, Hatate;  Raskin, Diomande, Igamane

Celtic recovered from two goals down at half time to tie the match at 2-2 but a late defensive slip allowed the visitors to snatch victory.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The 3rd time attending this fixture this season
• The 15th time seeing the fixture in the league 
• Overall the 25th time attending this new Scottish fixture

MATCH 2008 - Thursday 13 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

Last 16, Second Leg

Venue:  OLD TRAFFORD

Attendance: 73,189

MANCHESTER UNITED  4  REAL SOCIEDAD  1

Scorers:  Fernandes(3), Dalot;  Oyarzael

The tie was nicely poised at 1-1 from the first leg and with each side being awarded a penalty in the opening 15 (both converted) it was still in the balance going into the second half. I'm sure the club from the Basque Country will point to the referee as the one who tipped the tie in United's favour by first awarding a debatable penalty and then reducing them to ten men following a last man challenge.  Anyway the second half became the Bruno Fernandes show, as he converted his second penalty and then completed his hattrick with a well taken third.

The Bruno Show:

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 20th time I've seen United in UEFA competition including 5 against Spanish opposition
• First time seeing Real Sociedad in Europe since 1982 when they were champions of Spain and played Celtic.
• Overall 3rd time seeing Real Sociedad including a friendly at New St Mirren Park

I meet some Real Sociedad fans on the Metro to and from the game, they were all very friendly and a credit to themselves and their club.

MATCH 2007 - Sunday 9 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH CUP Quarter Final

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  HIBERNIAN  0

Scorers: Maeda, Idah

Beautiful Sunday in Paradise

Pre-match scene

The great Green divide - 7,000 away fans

Since Hibs beat Celtic last month in the league this cup tie has been eagerly anticipated especially in Edinburgh which is why Hibs easily sold 7,000 tickets to bring the biggest away support to Celtic Park in years.

Celtic dominated possession throughout the game and went in front just before half time but Hibs were never out of the tie until Adam Idah doubled the lead in the final minute.

Match Report: LINK

Personal note:

• 5th time attending the battle of the Scottish Greens this season, with the clubs meeting in all three domestic competitions
• The 12th time I've attended this fixture in the Scottish Cup

MATCH 2006 - Saturday 8 March 2025

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Venue:  BALMORAL STADIUM

COVE RANGERS  3  QUEEN OF THE SOUTH  1

Scorers: Yule, Emslie(2);  Lyon

Attendance:  411

Random match, a battle of the northern blues from Cove in Aberdeen v southern blues from Dumfries, to visit one of the last Scottish football grounds I hadn't previously been too.

A decent game with Queens starting off well and taking the lead inside 10 minutes with a very well worked goal but Cove soon grew into the game and scored an excellent equaliser. A well placed shot from outside the box from Yule who was later named Man of the Match.  Then two good striker goals in each half to win the three points.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• New ground
• New fixture
• Second time seeing Cove Rangers and 7th time seeing Queen of the South