After a tough evening in West Lothian on Wednesday, Celtic will look to get back to winning ways against St Mirren on Saturday.
Neil Lennon’s sides domestic form since returning after the winter break has been phenomenal, with the team playing 12 games having only drawn one and winning 11 as well as reaching yet another Scottish Cup Semi-Final.
Livingston are always a tough opponent for Celtic and once again Lyndon Dykes caused Christopher Jullien major problems with his strong physical approach play. In the end, a draw was a fair result with the Scottish Champions never really looking like they would win the game even with their sustained pressure after the break. Good resilience was shown to get the late equaliser and in the grand scheme of things could be a massive point towards the title.
The story so far this season against the Buddies has been maximum points in two tricky games. Jim Goodwin’s side are very well structured and hard to break down with the two results this season being 2-0 and 2-1 to Celtic.
James Forrest has been a crucial player in both the games against the Paisley side this season having scored in both, so I would fancy him to have some impact on the game and add to his 16 goals and 21 assists for the season so far.
Before that get yourself along to Malones for Celtic AM. The perfect pre-match pint. Talking Celtic, a few tunes and bus to Celtic Park.
Declan McConville is currently a student studying Journalism and Politics at the University of Strathclyde. He helps to run the Maryhill Bertie Auld CSC and he follows Celtic home and away across Scotland as well as in Europe. Celtic is certainly much more than a football club and through it he has formed close bonds with a lot of fantastic people as well as some ex-players which is his absolute privilege.
Join us as we look back on the career of Lisbon Lion Legend, Billy McNeill who would have celebrated his 80th Birthday on March 02.
Joe Miller who was signed by Billy for Celtic will be joined by Frank Devine &
Eddie Lynas and from the Billy McNeill Commemoration Committee and Kevin Devine from the Bronx Bhoys CSC to celebrate our leader, captain & manager.
Doors 11 (Free Bacon Rolls) Music from 11:30 Kick off 12 Final Whistle 1:45 Bus to Celtic Park 2 Celtic v St. Mirren 3
After the disappointment of Thursday night’s home defeat to Copenhagen which ended our European adventures for another season, Lazio home and away will remain the highlights of this seasons Europa campaign. Rome proved to be everything it had promised for Celtic fans who travelled in their thousands.
A point away in Copenhagen seemed like a good result to take back to Celtic Park but defensive errors were the story of the second half. As the Copenhagen fans made their presence felt inside the ground, our own fans deserted the stadium in silence and shock and by the time the referee finally blew is whistle the stadium has already emptied.
The last time I felt that silent reaction leaving a game at Celtic Park was at the end of the 2009 season against Hearts which was also Gordon Strachan’s final game in charge of Celtic.
So it was great to see Celtic grind out the win yesterday away to St. Johnstone yesterday.
As usual Celtic fans travelled in big numbers taking advantage of a decent ticket allocation. It was a tough shift but the players showed plenty of fight to make sure of a return to Hampden for a semi-final date with Aberdeen.
The other semi-final will be an all Edinburgh derby between Hibs and Hearts after the Jambos beat the Rangers 1-0. Rumour has it the Stevie G is not a happy cookie and returned to Liverpool yesterday to lick his wounds and ponder his long term future at the Rangers.
Onwards to 9IAR as we continue the remarkable quest on Wednesday night away to Livingston and then at home to St. Mirren on Saturday.
Over the weekend we also heard the good news that Jackie McNamara has been released from hospital and will now complete his road to recovery at home.
Andrew started More than 90 Minutes in 2001. He has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic. One of his essays featured in Celtic Minded 2 and he is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com. He is host of Celtic AM pre-match events at Malone’s in Glasgow on match days and follows Celtic Home & Away. He is a season ticket holder for Celtic FC and the Republic of Ireland. He is also P.R.O. of St. Margaret’s CSC, a member of the Celtic Trust and the Celtic Graves Association.
The last few days haven’t been great for those of a green and white persuasion after Sevco beat Braga to reach the last 16 if a European competition for the first time, as we shot ourselves in the foot in a terrible second half display that had the defenders looking like they had never played with each other before.
I had said the league was the priority this year, and it is. In both legs we created plenty of chances to win in the first half, looked comfortable only to be outplayed both times after the break. This was a great chance to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2004. It was a sore one to swallow.
The game in Perth could therefore be a tricky game, will the players heads be down, will they come out firing on all cylinders, we will have to see. However we should get a boost after Hearts knocked out the newly crowned Europa League last 32 champions, Rangers, who went out after a 1-0 loss at Tynecastle.
Celtic played St Johnstone a month ago, in Perth, in the league. That time we won comfortably in a great display of attacking football. A similar performance on Sunday would be welcome.
Mick Kane hails from Glasgow. He has been hooked on Celtic since he went to his first game when he was 7. Celtic beat Hamilton 8-3 at Celtic Park on the 3rd of January 1987. His favourite player at the time, Brian McClair scored four goals.
He started going regular as a 16 year old when Celtic played at Hampden for the season, being a Southsider it meant a short train journey to get to Hampden. From then he has had a season ticket travelled around Europe for games as Celtic became the dominant force in Scottish football again. A nice change from growing up during Rangers run to 9 in a row.
Celtic return to league action after a Europa League tie away to Copenhagen, a game of two halves as Celtic dominated the first and were unlucky to go in 1-0 up only for the Danes to come out a different team after the interval, miss a penalty and in the end we were fortunate to come back with the 1-1 draw. We should be good enough, given the first half showing to beat Copenhagen at Celtic Park.
Hopefully there is no hang over from the midweek match as three points are important in our bid for 9 in a row. Anything we get out of the Europa is, for me, a bonus as my focus is on getting the nine and then next year ten.
Kilmarnock have started to pick up some results, most notably beating Rangers. However since that win they have lost at home to Hibs and were knocked out the cup last midweek in a seven goal thriller against Aberdeen after extra time, so they might have a hang over of their own from that game.
Its only a month since we last played each other when we went to Rugby Park and won 3-1. Greg Taylor, Elhamed and Griffiths may still miss out as they did in midweek but Celtic if they play anywhere near their best should be too strong.
Mick Kane hails from Glasgow. He has been hooked on Celtic since he went to his first game when he was 7. Celtic beat Hamilton 8-3 at Celtic Park on the 3rd of January 1987. His favourite player at the time, Brian McClair scored four goals.
He started going regular as a 16 year old when Celtic played at Hampden for the season, being a Southsider it meant a short train journey to get to Hampden. From then he has had a season ticket travelled around Europe for games as Celtic became the dominant force in Scottish football again. A nice change from growing up during Rangers run to 9 in a row.
At present Scotland has four UFC stars and only one signed to Bellator, widely regarded as amongst the top promotions.
It so happens the one in Bellator is a massive Celtic fan, Chris Bungard. He became the first Scot to sign with Bellator, beat a former two weight champion from British promotion BAMMA on his debut in Newcastle and stole the show.
His second fight didn’t go as planned when he lost a unanimous decision against Charlie Leary. The thing with MMA compared to boxing is that losing is part of the sport, fighters come again, it’s unusual to stay undefeated.
“Obviously Bellator are a massive organisation,” Bungard told me. “So to be part of that roster and fight on massive cards is where I feel I belong. Testing myself against the best and improving and growing as a martial artist and a person.”
Having got off to a great start to his Bellator career, Bungard was asked to do the half time draw af Celtic Park and also appeared on the BBC’s Off the Ball before the cup final which also featured Paddy McCourt.
“Aye the halftime draw was mad.” Said Bungard. “It was nerve racking being out there on the pitch but a mad buzz before the game having a cuppa with some of the Lisbon Lions. Unreal.
“Off the ball was a good laugh. Me, Paddy and Tam (Cowan) got a good laugh before the cup final then jumped in a taxi to Hampden to see the treble treble. History.”
“Not much to be fair. Different topics, which I was fine with. It was nice to talk about something different for a change.” Explained Bungard.
With the BBC having asked a MMA fighter on to the show, it again highlights the fact the sport is on the rise, its hoped that BBC Scotland will show some coverage later this year of one or two of the local promotions. They have done a good job with some of the local boxing shows having been broadcast live recently.
“Obviously any coverage of MMA on any channel is great for the sport, but anyway BBC is involved is always a plus for the growth.” Bungard agreed.
Moving on to Celtic, I asked Chris if he remembered his first game.
“My first game was in 1997. 3-0 victory at home to Hearts. My uncle John took me. Larsson hat trick. So easy to remember haha.”
Like most fans of his age, the 30-year-old has a clear personal favourite when it comes to Celtic players.
“Easy. Henrik Larsson.” The man from Holytown proclaimed. “A world class player on and off the field. Who has scored all types of goals and assists plus moved to Barca and Man Utd and won things after seven years at us. Hero!”
Like most Celtic fans, Chris was born into being a Celtic fan.
“Celtic’s a way of life for most of us. Your born into it, back them no matter what. Up’s, down, highs, lows. All part of the love of your club. Faithful through and through.”
Everyone has their own special game, one that is memorable for whatever reason. Chris Bungard’s was a crucial win which would help Celtic go on to win the 2008 league title when it looked like Rangers had it in the bag.
“I’d probably say big Jans last minute winner against them.” Bungard said. “My good friend Danny Fagan gave me his ticket for my first ever Old Firm game and what a game it was. Naka swerve, a missed penalty then that goal. Ended up 10 rows in front. Haha!”
Bungard clearly loves football and still plays amateur football for Bullfrog AFC, any chance he could have played at a higher level?
“Nah man, obviously a dream to play for Celtic but amateur was my level. Think I was on a the bench for a junior team but that was it. I couldn’t be a professional footballer. I’d end up in the crowd celebrating or winding them up haha.”
Bungard is back in the cage tonight in Dublin against Brent Primus.
Mick Kane hails from Glasgow. He has been hooked on Celtic since he went to his first game when he was 7. Celtic beat Hamilton 8-3 at Celtic Park on the 3rd of January 1987. His favourite player at the time, Brian McClair scored four goals.
He started going regular as a 16 year old when Celtic played at Hampden for the season, being a Southsider it meant a short train journey to get to Hampden. From then he has had a season ticket travelled around Europe for games as Celtic became the dominant force in Scottish football again. A nice change from growing up during Rangers run to 9 in a row.
Celtic should go in to the game full of confidence after winning the group and recording a great win away over Ajax and a draw away to Rennes. We have a great chance to reach the quarter finals for the first time since Villarreal knocked us out back in 2004.
Copenhagen returned from their mid season break with a poor result away to a second from bottom Esbjerg, losing 1-0. They currently sit second in the Danish Superliga with a record of W15, D1, L5, they trail Midtjylland by six points. In the Europa this season they came through a group featuring Dinamo Kyiv, Malmo and Lugano. They won only two games, doing the double over Lugano, they picked up home and away draws with Kyiv and had an away draw with Malmo while suffering a defeat in the return in Denmark.
Meanwhile reports in Denmark suggest Copenhagen are about to sell their 13 goal striker Pieros Sotiriou to Astana imminently and he could miss the clash.
All in all, points to a team that Celtic should feel we have a good chance against.
Neil Lennon has some injury concerns to deal with, notably Greg Taylor, who suffered an injury against Aberdeen and a knock for Leigh Griffiths which could mean we revert back to a 4-3-3 formation.
Given our European displays this season then we should be confident of a result.
Mick Kane hails from Glasgow. He has been hooked on Celtic since he went to his first game when he was 7. Celtic beat Hamilton 8-3 at Celtic Park on the 3rd of January 1987. His favourite player at the time, Brian McClair scored four goals.
He started going regular as a 16 year old when Celtic played at Hampden for the season, being a Southsider it meant a short train journey to get to Hampden. From then he has had a season ticket travelled around Europe for games as Celtic became the dominant force in Scottish football again. A nice change from growing up during Rangers run to 9 in a row.
Following Celtic away from home just seesms to be a constant clammer for tickets. Anyone who has been to Pittodrie will testify that Celtic fans are treated like cattle at a market. We are penned into a restricted view area at the corner of the stadium and some of it is not under cover so if it rains your soaked for the long drive back to Glasgow.
However the 1600 Celtic fans that crammed into the away section on Sunday were very happy going down the road after watching Mr Reliable Callum McGregor open the scoring in front of the travelling support in what would prove to be a tough assignment up North.
Kristoffer Ajer scored a brilliant goal to win the game and keep the ship steady in stormy
conditions as we sail for the 91AR. 13 points clear at full time and 10 points clear after the rangers scrapped a 1-0 home win over Livingston at a half empty Ibrox later in the day.
Aberdeen grew in confidence after Ash Taylor’s equaliser before half time and their fans finally got vocal and got behind them in what can only be described as a stadium with empty seats throughout which raises the question. Would it not make financial sense to allow Celtic fans buy the empty seats and give us a full stand? .
Greg Taylor who has recently forced his way into the starting 11 on a regular basis was taken off with a hamstring injury in the first half. Hopefully the injury is not too bad because we need everyone fit with so many important games coming up.
Top Bhoy, Odsonne Edouard’s missed a sitter; he has now gone 2 games without a goal so he might be worth a wee bet for a goal on Thursday when we visit Copenhagen.
Andrew started More than 90 Minutes in 2001. He has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic. One of his essays featured in Celtic Minded 2 and he is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com. He is host of Celtic AM pre-match events at Malone’s in Glasgow on match days and follows Celtic Home & Away. He is a season ticket holder for Celtic FC and the Republic of Ireland. He is also P.R.O. of St. Margaret’s CSC, a member of the Celtic Trust and the Celtic Graves Association.
While Steven Gerrard was blaming the referee and his officials for his team only winning 1-0 at Ibrox v Livingston, Neil Lennon was happy to get away from Pittodrie with all 3 points. Here’s what he had to say.
“I’m thrilled,” “It’s a massive win in treacherously difficult conditions to play football. All credit goes to the players. They dug out a massive result for us. You can’t always play quick, slick football and they had to grind it out
.
“It’s a good sign to get the result. It shows the character, resilience and that they’re a team. There’s good solidarity within them and they keep going. The fitness levels are great as well but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves, there’s still a lot of football to be played. In the context of the run that we’re on it’s a big win.”
“It worked quite well for us and we started creating good opportunities,” he said. “Jonny had a great chance and then we scored and then Odsonne had a great chance. The change helped the players, there’s no question of that.
“Jamesy opened the pitch right up and the pass was perfectly weighted. Kris showed a lot of composure to finish it off. It was a great goal and an important goal.
“We didn’t want to drop points but it was looking like it, and a point at Pittodrie sometimes can be a decent result. In these conditions the game could have gone either way but we came up with a really important piece of football.
“A point away from home isn’t the worst result in the world but we’re always trying to think of getting a goal. The subs we brought on were forward thinking players and the ones who could create something.”
“I appreciate the fans making a long trek in horrible conditions,” he said. “I appreciate everything they bring us and I thought they were magnificent today. Even at 1-1 when the game could have gone either way they were still making a lot of noise.”
There was a time when any old Celtic supporter would begin a discussion on the merits of football teams with “Shaw, McNair and Dodds…” and would then go on to say that there never was a defensive trio like them. He would be talking about the years round about the start of the Great War and throughout the conflict; these three would be looked upon as the greatest defenders in the world.
And not without cause. Season 1913/14 saw Celtic go from October to February losing only one goal. Much is known about the legendary, charismatic goalkeeper Charlie Shaw, and Eck McNair is himself a legend for his long service to the cause, but comparatively little is known about the other member of the threesome, Joe Dodds of Carluke.
Joe was born in 1887 in Carluke and joined the club in 1908. Not surprisingly, given the strength of the Celtic team of that era, he found it difficult to break in and to displace at left back the excellent Jamie Weir, the famous reciter of Burns poetry as well as being a tough, hard working, grimly determined left back. But Dodds was no less determined and by 1910/11 he had found a place at left half originally before settling in his favourite left back spot, although it was at left half that he won his first Scottish Cup medal against Hamilton Accies in April 1911.
Another Scottish Cup medal came his way in 1912, but it was 1913/14, one of the best seasons in the history of the club, that saw Dodds at his best. Not only did Joe win a League and Cup double for the club, but he also played for Scotland three times, including the great 3-1 win (inspired by his great friend Jimmy McMenemy) over England at Hampden in April.
But then came the Great War. Joe’s brother was killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915, (by an odd coincidence a similar thing happened to McMenemy) but he played on and won a Glasgow Cup medal a few days later. He himself was eventually enlisted as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery in the latter stages of the war, although one suspects that he was a reluctant conscript. He was far too gentle and peaceful to have enjoyed enlisting for that slaughter.
He returned to win another Scottish League medal at the end of the 1918/19 season, but like everyone else of this era, he fell out with Maley in 1920 and went to Cowdenbeath for a season. He returned to win another League medal in the 1921/22 season, but then departed forever after that. He made his peace with Maley however, and the two remained friends all the rest of their lives.
He was a fine attacking full back in the Tommy Gemmell mould (McNair was the more defensive minded of the two of them) and like most full backs of that time knew how to tackle and tackle hard, injuring himself on occasion in the process. Not for nothing was he called Fearless Joe. A total of 9 Scottish League medals and three Scottish Cup medals speaks for itself, and is all the more praiseworthy when one considers that what was going on in the world at the time. It was often said about him that no one could ever remember Joe having a bad game. His passing was often described as faultless.
He retained his friendship with Jimmy McMenemy all his life (McMenemy had been “groomsman” at his wedding in 1916) and the two old worthies died within months of each other in 1965. Joe’s death at the age of 78 was much mourned.
Born in 1948, David Potter first saw Celtic at Dens Park, Dundee in March 29. It was a 3-5 defeat, which equipped him admirably for the horrors of the early 1960’s. He had “followed” Celtic for a few years before that and recalls having been called upon to impersonate Jock Stein and receive the family silver teapot which had to do for the Scottish Cup as it was presented on April 24 1954, after he and his father had spent a nerve wracking afternoon listening to the radio! Since then, he has “followed” every Celtic game with bated breath, and has written extensively about the club in magazines and books. His favorite team was that of 1969 (which he rates marginally better than 1967) and his favorite player was Henrik Larsson.
His ambition for Celtic is for them to keep on winning silver in Scotland and to be something in Europe once again. His other interests are cricket and drama. He is 70, a retired teacher of Classical Languages, married with three children and five grandchildren. He now travels on the Joseph Rafferty bus from Kirkcaldy. He also loves Forfar Athletic.
