MATCH 1891 - Saturday 15 October 2022

SEASON 2022/23

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  6  HIBERNIAN  1

Scorers: Forrest(3), Giakoumakis(2), Maeda;  Youan

James Forrest hat-trick to notch up 100 goals for Celtic

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou made several changes and it paid dividends as James Forrest making a rare starting appearance scored a hat-trick to help the Celts bounce back from their midweek European disappointment.

Hibs now managed by ex-Sunderland manager Lee Johnson were not able to cope with the forward play of Giakoumakis, Forrest and Hasabanovic who were well support by Argentinian full back Bernabei and Aaron Mooy.

Full time and a lovely day:

Personal stuff:

• My 118th match attended between the sides - 102 in the league.
• The 2nd time seeing Celtic score 6 against Hibs - the other time was December 2003 (6-0)
• James Forrest scored his 100th Celtic goal of these I've witnessed 67 of them.

MATCH 1890 - Thursday 13 October 2022

 SEASON 2022/23

Group Stage

MANCHESTER UNITED  1  OMONOIA NICOSIA  0

Scorer:  McTominey

Another trip to Old Trafford for a European tie.  This time in the UEFA Europa League and against Neil Lennon's Cypriot side Omonoia FC.

Pre match the fantastic fans of Omonoia gather in the centre of Manchester -

Arriving at stadium and going to my seat in the Alex Ferguson stand tier 2.

The teams enter the field and the scene is set:

Post match:

Personal note:

• 16th European tie involving Manchester United - 14 home and 2 away both at Celtic Park
• 1st time seeing a club side from Cyprus
• 54th match at Old Trafford - 15 European ties including Celtic v Rapid, 1984.

MATCH 1889 - Tuesday 11 October 2022

 SEASON 2022/23

Group Stage

Second Champions League tie at home and second defeat after a promising opening from Celtic.  This was Leipzig's second visit to Celtic Park and unfortunately Celtic couldn't reach the heights of the first encounter.

Two second half goals were the difference which seen the points go to Germany.

   

Personal note:  

• 2nd time seeing Leipzig
• 16th tie attended between Celtic and German opponents 
• 157th Celtic match in Europe that I've attended

MATCH 1888 - Saturday 1 October 2022

 SEASON 2022/23

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  MOTHERWELL  1

Venue: Kyogo, Hatate;  OG

Celtic make life difficult for themselves missing a series of very good chances, scoring an own goal and getting an avoidable red card.  Another two goals from Japan, first Kyogo opening the scoring and the winner from Hatate.

Personal note:

• Thankfully match no. 1888 includes Celtic.
• My 118th match between these clubs with 105 in league.
• 10th match of the season - 9 involving Celtic, the other a Euro tie at Motherwell.

MATCH 1887 - Tuesday 6 September 2022

 

Group Stage

CELTIC  0  REAL MADRID  3

Scorers:  Vinicius Jr, Modric, Hazard

14 times European Champions, Real Madrid visit Celtic Park for the first time in the Champions League era.  Despite a fine Celtic performance for the first 50 minutes they are unable to take one of their chances and Real calmly take the lead through their Brazilian star Vinicius Jr early in the second half.  Modric quickly adds a second to take full control of the match.

The match is played in a tremendous atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes. Several Real players recording their admiration in their post-match tweets.  

Managers: Ange Postecoglou and Carlo Ancelotti with another Celtic Park visit.

A few pre-match photos:

Personal note:

• 2nd time seeing Real Madrid
• Real Madrid are the 8th Spainish club I've seen Celtic play in European competitions.
• My 2nd UEFA match of the season and 187th overall

Minor Match 66 - Tuesday 6 September 2022

SEASON 2022/23

UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE 

Venue:  EXCELSIOR STADIUM

CELTIC B  0  REAL MADRID YOUTHS  6

Scorers:  Fortuny, Youssef, Herrero, Paz(2), Palacios

Line ups:

Real Madrid'sYouth team visit Airdrie and put on a show in the rain against a young Celtic B side.  The game started in monsoon conditions but is far from a leveller as Real race into a 2 goal lead before Celtic are reduced to 10 men midway from the first half.  McPherson sent off for a professional foul. A further two goals are scored before the break, followed by another brace in the second which is at least played in better weather conditions.

The stand out players for Real are captain Angel and Paz.

Match - Goals link

MATCH 1886 - Saturday 3 September 2022

SEASON  2022/23

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  RANGERS*  0

Scorers: Abada(2), Jota, Turnbull

Another big derby win for Celtic.  As the two sides get ready to take part in this season's Champions League group stage it was Celtic that showed their quality in the final third, capitalising on a number of mistakes from the visitors.

Match Report: LINK

Personal Notes:

• 17th time attending this relatively new Scottish fixture since the new Rangers club was formed. 
• 18th time seeing Rangers2012
• 8th match of the season

MATCH 1885 - Sunday 28 August 2022

SEASON 2022/23

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  TANNADICE PARK

DUNDEE UNITED  0  CELTIC  9  

Scorers:  Kyogo(3), Jota, Abada(3), Juranovic, Starfelt

A record away score for Celtic today at a ground they used to fear.  At the moment Celtic are a  team full of confidence and United simply have none.  The goals tally included two hat-tricks - one from Japanese forward, Kyogo and the other from Israeli winger Abada.

Match Report: LINK

Personal stuff:

• My 37th visit to Tannadice
• First visit was May 1982 and ended 3-0 to the home side.
• 119th attending this fixture with 35 at Tannadice.
• 3rd time seeing Celtic score 9 previous two were Arbroath away 1993 (9-1) and Aberdeen home 2010 (9-0).

MATCH 1884 - Sunday 21 August 2022

SEASON 2022/23

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  HEARTS  0

Scorers:  Kyogo, Giakoumakis

Celtic lack inspiration today although playing some nice football at times never quite get going.  Even after taking the lead early in the first half it doesn't spark a surge of energy through the team and it takes until injury time when Hearts are reduced to 10, then nine men for the game to be sealed with a second home goal.

Remembering John Hughes who passed away recently.

Personal stuff:

• My 116th match between the sides; 99 in the league.
• 121st Hearts match overall including 100 in the league (99 v Celtic, 1 v Hibernian)

Match 1883 - Saturday 6 August 2022

SEASON 2022/23

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  VICTORIA PARK STADIUM

ROSS COUNTY  1  CELTIC  3

Scorers: Iacovitti;  Kyogo, Jenz, Abada

All the action in the second half with four goals and a contender for save of the season from Joe Hart when the match was in the balance at 1-1.

Personal note:

• 5th visit to Ross County's Victoria Park Stadium in Dingwall.
• Overall 22nd time attending this fixture - 19 in the league.