MATCH 2027 - Wednesday 24 September 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

Group Stage

Venue:  Stadion Rajko Mitic

RED STAR BELGRADE  1  CELTIC  1

Scorers:  Arnautovic;  Iheanacho

Very much a bonus match as I won a competition with the Celtic Pools for a wonderful trip to this match in Serbia that included flights, hotel, walking tour, coach transfers and match tickets.

Our tickets were in a small section in the main stand among the hordes of Red Star fans. Thankfully they were friendly except for one young man, an 11 year old boy stating just outside the ground "you are not safe" to our small group passing through the scores of home fans.

The match started in heavy rain. Locals were unhappy and headed for cover.  In first half Celtic had lots of procession however it was Red Star who created the chances but the match was goalless at half-time.  

In the second Celtic start strongly making several chances and were rewarded when substitute Iheanacho scores but 10 minutes later the tie was level again as strong pressure from Red Star forced the equaliser.

In the end a draw is a fair outcome.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• Second occasion seeing this fixture but first time in UEFA competition.
• 8th time seeing Celtic in UEFA competition in mainland Europe and 9th overall.
• First visit to Serbia - the 15th country I've seen football in.

FULL TRIP ITINERARY & SUMMARY:

• Day 1: 11:30am Meet and collect tickets in Glasgow airport
• Congregate in lounge with light lunch and drinks (bump into Jim Craig)
• Flight to Belgrade at 2pm (arrive 6:30pm local time)
• Arrive at 5 star Bristol Hotel at 7:30pm
• A relaxed evening walk then a few drinks in the Three Carrots Irish Bar
• Day 2:  Breakfast at 9am
• 11am Walking Tour through Belgrade fortress
• Afternoon in city centre and a final drink in Irish Bar
• Pick up for match at 7:15pm
• Arrive for game at 7:45pm
• Kick off at 9pm
• Whisked away straight after game to Belgrade airport
• Depart at 2am and arrive back in Glasgow as scheduled at 4am

MATCH 2026 - Saturday 23 August 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  3  LIVINGSTON  0

Scorers:  Nygren(2), Kenny

My 5th match in 9 days including 3 at Celtic Park in three different competitions.  This time it was in the league and three goals in the second secured the three points for Celtic.  Celtic had all the play but struggled to make a clear chance until the 48th minute when Nygren stepped up and produced a bit of quality to break the deadlock.  He picked up the ball in his own half and burst forward before passing to Yang, those shot was spilled into the path of Nygren who neatly slotted the ball home to ease the tension around Celtic Park.  Nygren also added the second, a well placed shot into the roof of the net.  Irish forward, Johnny Kenny completed the scoring with the third.

Livington are back in the top flight of Scottish football after a short period in the championship division and are still managed by David Martindale.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• My 3rd Celtic league match attended this season.
• This was the 27th time attending this fixture in the league
• Overall this was my 33rd time seeing Livingston (32 v Celtic and 1 v Sunderland)

MATCH 2025 - Thursday 21 August 2025

 SEASON  2025/26

Qualifying Round 1st Leg

Venue:  EASTER ROAD STADIUM

HIBERNIAN  1  LEGIA WARSAW  2

Scorers:  Mulligan;  Nsame; Wszolek

My second time attending a Hibernian European tie and like the previous occasion it ended in a narrow one goal defeat.  Hibs started well and could've had the lead in the early stages but a dodgy VAR decision change the course of the game when the Polish side were awarded a penalty.  Before half time they doubled their lead.  

His did have their chances to at least get a draw but passed up several golden opportunities and now face a huge task in Poland to progress to the group stage.

My seat was in the centre of the main stand upper giving a perfect view of the pitch and the whole stadium.  Easter Road is a class ground to watch football

The impressive East Stand - now renamed the Pat Stanton Stand

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• This was a new fixture match up for me, in total the 430th fixture I've seen
• My second time seeing Hibs in Europe and the third time seeing Legia
• This was the 13th different opponent I've seen Hibernian play

Kick off

MATCH 2024 - Wednesday 20 August 2025

SEASON 2025/26

Qualifying Round 1st Leg

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  0  KAIRAT  0

Attendance: 58,000

A disappointing night as Celtic fail to gain a lead ahead of the second leg in Kazakhstan.  

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• This was the 4th time seeing Celtic play opposition from Kazakhstan, having previously played Astana(twice) and Shakhter Karagandy all in UEFA Champions League Qualification.
• Overall this was the 167th time seeing Celtic in UEFA competition

MATCH 2023 - Saturday 16 August 2025

SEASON 2025/26

ENGLISH LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Venue:  BLOOMFIELD ROAD

BLACKPOOL  3  HUDDERSFIELD TOWN  2

Scorers:  Ennis(2), Evans;  Wiles, Gooch

Attendance:  10,922

10-man Blackpool shock early league leaders Huddersfield in a clinical first half. Coming from one goal down to lead 3-1 before ex-Sunderland man, Gooch reduced their lead.  All five goals were scored in an eventful first 45 minutes which also included a red card for the scorer of two of Blackpool's goals, Niall Ennis.

This was a bit of a bonus game as we headed to Blackpool for a day out.  Thankfully it was a clear journey down the M6, which is more than can be said of traffic heading north towards the Lake District.

Both clubs played in their traditional kits, Blackpool in tangerine shirts and Huddersfield in light blue & white stripes.

Managers: Blackpool - Steve Bruce;  Huddersfield - Lee Grant

The match was played in a great atmosphere with the away support in fine voice early on due to the confidence from their good start to the season and the Seasiders got right behind their team when they went down to ten men. In the second half they cheered every clearance and gave the team tremendous backing to help the 10 men keep going until then 97th minute to claimed a deserved victory.

Pre-match formalities 

Goal celebration

Final whistle and the Seasiders fans celebrate

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• First time attending this fixture. The 428th different fixture attended.
• My 9th visit to Bloomfield Road since 1981.
• Overall this was my 11th time seeing Blackpool and the first seeing Huddersfield Town.

MATCH 2022 - Friday 15 August 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP 2nd Round

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  FALKIRK  1

Scorers:  Maeda, Johnston, Murray, O.G.;  Adams

Friday night football at Celtic Park and it was played with a good vibe Friday atmosphere.  For the home support it was an enjoyable tie with four goals to cheer as their team coasted through to the next round.  Which is not always the case against Falkirk.

This was the second season in a row the clubs had met in the League Cup at Celtic Park and it produced the same outcome.

Falkirk manager - John McGlynn.  Ex-Celtic goalkeeper, Scott Bain returned to Celtic Park as Falkirk's No 1 following his summer transfer to the Bairns.

Match report: LINK

Personal Note:

• 6th time attending this fixture in the Scottish League Cup
• Overall 38th time attending this fixture

MATCH 2021 - Sunday 10 August 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  PITTODRIE STADIUM

ABERDEEN  0  CELTIC  2

Scorers:  Nygren, Hatate

Attendance:  18,388

An early morning start, leaving at 07:15 for what was my 38th visit to Pittodrie Stadium and it was a very pleasant day all round in the Granite City.  For a change the weather was hot and sunny and Celtic made up for their cup final disappointment in May with a solid performance against the same opponents scoring a goal in each half to claim the points. 

Reo Hatate who missed the cup final secured the victory with an excellent strike in-off the crossbar in the second half.  New Celt, Benjamin Nygren opened his Celtic account with a well take goal in the first half.

Warm up

Kick off

View of Pittodrie from the top of the hill at the beach end

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• My first away match of the new season
• The 139th time attending this fixture with 37 at Pittodrie
• Overall this was my 1725th time watching Celtic and 145th time seeing Aberdeen

Match 2020 - Sunday 3 August 2025

SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  ST MIRREN  0

Scorer:  McGowan

First league match of the new season and Celtic secure a hard fought 1-0 victory against a well organised Buddies side as we have come to expect and respect from a team managed by Stephen Robinson.  The goal coming in the final few minutes of the regulation 90.

It was an uninspiring first half from Celtic but the second was better as they went close to scoring several times.

It was also flag day with Paul McStay doing the honours of unfurling the league flag.

Great tribute from the NorthCurve to a Celtic Great - John Clark, RIP

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• This was the 69th time I've attended this fixture in the league
• It was the 80th time seeing St Mirren, all bar one v Celtic.  The other one was v Airdrieonians in a Scottish Cup tie

Match 2019 - Saturday 19 July 2025

SEASON 2025/26

FRIENDLY

VENUE:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  NEWCASTLE UNITED  0

Scorers: Engels, Kenny, Yang, Scales

My first match of season 2025/26 which is my 45th year of attending football and following Celtic FC.  We were sitting in the main stand for a change which although over 50 years old and by far the oldest part of Celtic Park, the upper part offers the best pitch views in the ground.

This pre-season game was billed as a challenge match between the winners of the Scottish and English League Cups attracted a large crowd of over 45,000 with nearly 10,000 away fans to give it a great atmosphere with a bit of needle.

Match report: LINK

Personal notes:

• The fourth time attending this fixture all at Celtic Park and all friendly matches
• Overall the 11th time seeing Newcastle United - 1 home & 10 away
• In total my 1,723rd Celtic match