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 

MATCH 1946 - Saturday 23 December 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  LIVINGSTON  0

Scorers: Kyogo, Scales

Two second half goals are good enough to beat bottom of the table Livingston as the visitors are having an unusually poor season.

Personal note:

• 29th time seeing this fixture
• Overall the 30th time seeing Livingston - one v Sunderland 
• The first match was under the name of Meadowbank Thistle in 1995 v Celtic at Hampden in the Scottish Cup

MATCH 1945 - Saturday 16 December 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  0  HEARTS  2

Scorers: Shankland; Kingsley

Poor performance from Celtic but excellent one from Hearts scoring two goals from reliable sources - their talisman Lawrence Shankland and free kick expert Stephen Kingsley.

No real response from Celtic.

First time seeing Hearts win at Celtic Park since season 2009/10.

MATCH 1944 - Wednesday 13 December 2023

SEASON 2023/24

Group Stage

CELTIC  2  FEYENOORD  1

Scorers: Palma, Lagerbielke; Minteh

A last minute goal gives Celtic their only win of six Champions League group matches.  Two goals from summer recruits Luis Palma (Honduras) and Lagerbiekle (Sweden) seals the win again the Dutch champions.

Huge away support from Holland

Personal note: 

• My first time seeing Feyenoord in UEFA competition 
• 3rd time seeing this fixture - 2 Celtic Park and 1 Feyenoord Stadion
• My 161st Celtic match in UEFA European competition since 1982

MATCH 1943 - Wednesday 6 December 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  4  HIBERNIAN  1

Scorers:  Oh(2), O'Riley, Palma;  Doidge

Hibs came to Celtic Park with another manager from their last visit.  This time it's Nick Montgomery in their dugout.  Celtic get off to a flyer scoring early and by half time had doubled their lead. 

In the second half another early goal saw Celtic stretch their lead from the penalty spot and then Oh scores his second of the game to complete Cltic's scoring.  A clean sheet is not achieved though as Hibs scored a consolation.

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• 123rd time attending this fixture
• 110 in the League

MATCH 1942 - Saturday 25 November 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  1  MOTHERWELL  1

Scorers:  Turnbull;  Obika

Poor match - a weak Celtic line up and Motherwell employing outrageous time wasting antics which the referee was unable to deal with.

As for the game Celtic were awarded two penalty kicks and typically missed one.

Report: LINK

Personal note:

• Overall my 18th match of the season including:
• 10 Scottish Premiership league matches - all Celtic
• 10 matches at Celtic Park in all competitions 

MATCH 1941 - Sunday 12 November 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  6  ABERDEEN  0

Scorers: Yang, Kyogo, Palma, Turnbull, Oh(2)

A United Nations of goalscorer at a sun drenched Celtic Park with goals from South Korea, Japan, Honduras and Scotland as Celtic recorded their biggest win of the season.

Match Report:  LINK

Personal note:

• 133rd time attending this fixture 
• 111 time in the league
• 81st at Celtuc Park

MATCH 1940 - Wednesday 1 November 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  ST MIRREN  1

Scorers: Turnbull, Oh; McMenamin

Celtic with a few top players missing found it difficult to create many goal chances but kept plugging away and eventually claimed victory in the final stages with a lovely move from Kyogo and Holm and an empathic finish from Oh.

In the first half St Mirren took an early lead but Turnbull's long-range effort gave Celtic a quick equaliser.  The same player then passed up the opportunity to put Celtic in front before half time when he missed a penalty.  

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• 74th time attending this fixture - Breakdown: League 64, Scottish Cup 7, League Cup 3
• Overall I've seen St Mirren 75 times - the other game was a Cup QF  v. Airdrie in 1983

MATCH 1939 - Sarurday 28 October 2023

SEASON 2023/24

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: EASTER ROAD 

HIBERNIAN  0  CELTIC  0

Attendance: 18,548

A rare Saturday 3pm away fixture for Celtic.  After the midweek Champion League match they lacked energy until the latter stages of the game but ultimately couldn't find a breakthrough.

Personal note:

• 122nd time attanding this fixture overall (106th in league)
• 53rd match at Easter Road Stadium
• In the away stand for a change