After the excitement of last week’s final at Hampden the Celtic support travelled with plenty of confidence to Tannadice early yesterday morning for the SPFL encounter with Dundee United. They backed the bhoys all the way during the 96 minutes.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin’s tactics were to park the bus and frustrate Celtic and they did just that. Celtic finishing let them down on the day when they had 17 shots with only 3 on target and travelled back to Glasgow with a share of the points. Goodwin will be much happier than Brendan Rodgers.
Celtic remain 9 points clear of the rangers who over took from Aberdeen in second place after Hibs beat the Dons yesterday and our city rivals took maximum points at Ibrox with a 1-0 win over Dundee.
Rodgers made five changes from the Cup Final starting 11. His hand was forced with a number of players sidelined because of injury and illness including a rare start for Stephen Welsh.
Celtic are still unbeaten domestically this season and have only lost one game in Europe against Dortmund. So we can have few complaints as we sit down to some Turkey and Brussel sprouts on Christmas day ahead of the visit of Motherwell to Celtic Park the following day.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
Dining at the top table of European Football in the Champions League is always where we want to be as Celtic fans. It always brings a smile to my face when I hear the comment from fellow Celtic fans “The Champions League is not for everyone” referring to our broke neighbours from across the city.
When you are the kings of the castle domestically it is always good to see how we can pit ourselves against a better quality of opponents on the European stage. The board will be counting the money coming in from everything that goes with competing at this level but for the normal Celtic fan on the street it is all about the winning or at least being competitive the win over RB Leipzig really summed that up.
The feel good factor was there from all to see from Celtic Park to San Francisco and beyond where Celtic fans gathered to watch the game after the final whistle and you could not wipe the proud smile from our faces for days. I can only the imagine walking into a work place shared with the rangers fans with that confident smile beaming across the face.
In my time following Celtic I remember when European football was over almost in the blink of an eye for another season. We would beat a team from the Welsh League or a league of that standard before bowing out to a team from a stronger league. Normally these games were in the UEFA Cup. Big spending and tax cheats Rangers were dominating in Scotland and took their place in the European Cup and then the Champions League as we said goodbye to the 1980’s and hello to the 1990’s.
Back in those dark days of the 1990’s, competing with the elite of European football was something we could only dream of. In reality we just wanted to win the league and wrestle power from David Murray’s Rangers team.
None of us could have imaged that they would eventually self implode and go out of existence. No matter how they and their fan base spin it the oldco are not the newco. They let their club die. Murray once their hero would become the villain of the pantomime that followed.
From dining at the top table in Europe, Murray would jump ship leaving the Green and White show to finally sink them. They can talk about 55 and all that but everybody knows they are a new club playing in an old stadium.
Celtic fan groups Save Our Celts and Celts for Change along with people like John Keane and Fergus McCann would step in to save Celtic from dying with the support of many Celtic fans (Some fans could not see the light and were prepared to back the old board).
On the 3rd of March 1994, Brain Dempsey proclaimed “The battle is over, the rebels have won.” And on 4 March 1994 Fergus McCann announced he completed his takeover of Celtic.
From that day on a new era came into existence in Celtic’s unbroken history. A plan for a new stadium was put in place and McCann’s legacy remains today in the shape of a 60,000 all-seater stadium that many thought was an over-reach of his ambition. With success brings more fans and now on big nights in Europe and against new rangers the sold out signs are up and some could argue that the main stand could be redeveloped to increase capacity and give more fans the option to enjoy such occasions.
The rebuilding of the team did not happen over night and ther were disappointments along the way as we watched Rangers win title after title. We trusted Tommy Burns, Celtic man through and through. After the footballing heart break of the Raith Rovers League Cup Final defeat he finally led us to silverware when we lifted the Scottish Cup in 1995.
We played Airdrieonians at Hampden Park on 27 May 1995. We won the match 1–0, with a goal by Pierre van Hooijdonk who headed in after a cross from the left by Tosh McKinlay. It was not a classic but finally we has something to celebrate and the emotions were clear for everyone to see when Paul McStay lifted the Cup.
Tommy brought some great players to the club but in the end failure to stop Rangers sealed his faith and he was replaced by Wim Jansen.
Stopping Rangers doing the 10IAR was all that mattered after the equaled Celtic’s record (which we have repeated again) Stopping the Ten was an incredible feeling and the celebrations went on all Summer after we danced from Celtic Park to Gallowgate on that sunny day. Wim leaving was a blow and we had a few false dawns before Martin O’Neill was installed as manager.
When Martin O’Neill stood on the steps outside Celtic Park to address the support as he was unveiled, he uttered those famous words “I’ll do everything I possibly can to bring some success to this Football Club” and he did. The first Celtic manager to deliver a treble since Jock Stein.
After another summer of celebrations we took our place in the group stages after beating Ajax in Amsterdam. What a trip that was and what a result. There was trouble before the game at the stadium when Ajax fans attacked Celtic fans. There was a shooting in a bar earlier in the day but inside that ground that night it was incredible as I celebrated my 30th birthday in style.
On the pitch big signing Chris Sutton, bargain buy Didier Agathe and the born-again Bobby Petta all scored in the 3-1 win. A 1-0 defeat in the home leg could not dampen our spirits. We were back!
Celtic Park would rock under the lights against Juventus, Porto and Rosenborg. 9 points from the 3 games but we failed to get out of the group (If memory serves me well some clubs including Liverpool progressed from other groups with less points to the knockout phase).
Our away form let us down in Portugal and Norway and a referee by the name of Helmit Krugg and a diving so and so by the name of Amoruso who put on an Oscar performance to win a penalty would be the reason why we bowed out that season from the Champions League.
That cheating and converted penalty robbed Celtic of getting out of the group at the first attempt. Although we did parachute into the UEFA Cup for a home and away clash to Valencia and more footballing heart break, going out on a penalty shoot out at a packed Celtic Park.
Under O’Neill we had some great nights at Paradise in Europe. We also had some very disappointing nights on the road. Lyon and Bobo Baldé’s hand ball was a bitter pill to swallow. The UEFA cup final in 2003 in Seville was heart breaking at the final whistle but what a journey we had along the way.
We also had some great European nights under Gordon Strachan with plenty of late drama against AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk. Strachan was not a popular appointment among many Celtic fans and after a disaster of a start he had in Bratislava to his managerial time at Celtic he steadied the Euro ship and would take us to last 16 of the Champions League twice.
We had the big Celtic birthday party win under Neil Lennon when Barcelona and Messi were beaten at Celtic Park. What a night that was, the Tifo, the atmosphere and the tension. It was backs against the wall stuff and an unknown young player called Tony Watt came off the bench to write himself into the history books.
The Ronnie Delia years passed before the fanfare of the arrival of Brendan Rodgers for the first time. Domestic dominance continued as the rangers returned to the fold after a few seasons in the lower league wilderness.
We took some pumping’s in Europe. Barcelona and PSG were hard lessons, but we did get to taste winning away in Europe when we beat Anderlecht 3-0 in Brussels. The return of Neil Lennon will sadly be remembered for the rangers stopping our charge for 10IAR during Covid when we were forced to watch games at home while still paying for our season books. Crazy times.
Ange Postecoglou arrived in Glasgow as life slowly went back to normal after Covid we returned to the football and European football including a trip to Seville to watch Celtic play Real Betis which we had to watch in a pub. Flights and hotels were booked by Celtic fans after we were told that away fans were allowed to travel and we would gain entry to the game.
Then under Spainsh guidelines, Betis annouced we would not be admitted into the ground due to Covid restrictions and we also played Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw due to the Russia/ Ukraine War.
The return of Brendan Rodgers after Ange opted for the bright lights of London and Spurs raised many eyebrows and surprised many of us. It took him a while to settle and get his own players in to compliment what Ange had left behind.
The rangers celebrated a draw against us at Ibrox as if they had already won the league, but we all know the wheels came off the bus after that. Their celebrations were premature and the much-needed wealth that comes with the new look Champions League evaporated before their eyes at the qualification stages. Celtic as champions of Scotland had the luxury of automatic qualification to the European Super League or the Champions League as they still call it, but I think we all know the direction football is heading towards no matter how they dress it up.
The old Champions League format had gone stale with many games meaningless and the casual TV fan not switching on till the later stages of the competition to see the richest clubs on the continent compete for the big cup.
The new format means more games and more money and seems to have benefitted teams like Celtic who now sit on 8 points in joint 17th position although a win against Club Brugges would have seen us in joint 6th on 10 points.
With our Glasgow rivals in financial meltdown they must be kicking themselves at those premature celebrations and the run of results that followed as their not so loyal fans call for yet another managers head. How many managers has Brendan Rodgers now seen off from the Blue side of the city?
There are no easy games at this level and that is there for everyone to see against Club Brugges who are a decent team, they forced an error from the normally reliable CCV at the heart of the Celtic defence who put the ball in his own net.
Thankfully Celtic battled back and Diazen Maeda scored a fantastic goal and with the crowd now lifted we looked the most likely to win the game but in a 50/50 game like that most of us left the Celtic Park in a positive mood with one more big night under the lights at Paradise still to come against Young Boys. While Zagreb and Aston Villa await on our travels.
The hammering in Dortmund was a wake up call. The draw in Atalanta was such a positive performance and result and both wins against Bratislava and RB Leipzig were so sweet. The atmosphere against the Germans at Celtic Park was one of the finest I have witnessed and the performance from the team was almost flawless at times.
Nothing has been decided yet. The question is can we make the knock out stages which would be a big signal of improvement under Brendan Rodgers in his second stint as Celtic manager. His stock will also be on the rise after getting sacked by Leicester City who he had left us for.
Many Celtic fans chuckled at his misfortune down south. Once he was seen public enemy of the Celtic support for his treason to the cause but since Dermot Desmond persuaded him to come back to the club he has increased the Celtic fans appetite for the finer things in football and dining at the top table of European football is one of them while others can only dream of the crumbs falling off the top table of which we sit.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
The meltdown from the Blue half of Glasgow continued all week after Celtic’s dramatic League Cup final win over the rangers. Not only did we win the Cup but we also claimed their most successful club in the World title. They made it up and now they have to listen to Celtic fans boasting about 119 trophies. CCV holding up the 119 at the darts alongside his Celtic team mates will have only added salt to the wound.
Sunday, December 15, 2024, Glasgow was Green and White and Hampden Park was cleared of fans in blue long before Callum McGregor lifted the League Cup to bring it back to Celtic Park to sit beside the Scottish Cup and SPFL Trophy in the trophy room.
Across the city at Ibrox the blue room is bare, a song we taunted Rangers fans with when Martin O’Neill lifted the treble and took all the silverware to the East End of Glasgow for the first time since the late great Jock Stein. The new rangers will also have to get the painters in to paint over the wall that claims they are the most successful club in the World. A trophyless trophy room with a new paint job for Christmas.
When I booked my day return flight from Dublin for the final, I knew it would be tight to get back that evening to the airport on time to catch the flight home if the game went to extra time. After Kuhn scored Celtic’s third, it was happy days for all of 60 seconds until Danilo levelled the game again now my return flight was in doubt.
I was not prepared to leave Hampden for the airport with the game hanging on a knife edge and the decision was an easy one. Celtic had been off form and frustrating to watch at times as the game went from end to end before the penalty shoot out.
Maeda was the hero on the day scoring the winning penalty after scoring Celtic’s second goal which will be a contender for goal of the season. How cool was he when he slotted the ball home to send Celtic into massive celebrations not only in Hampden but in bars and clubs throughout the World.
At the same time as Maeda was celebrating with the other hero of the penalty saver Schmeichal I was making my way out of the stadium and into a taxi for the dash to the airport gate and thankfully I made the flight home.
At about the same time as I was jumping into the cab, the rangers manager Clément’s phone was receiving hundreds of text messages about the penalty claim, (liar, liar pants on fire) and then the big blue meltdown began and it has continued all week.
Social media has been the gift that keeps giving to Celtic fans from viewing the Celtic fans chasing the Union bears through Glasgow to their podcasters just making arses of themselves with the highlight being the bloke that said all Celtic’s goals were flukey.
Now we look forward to an away trip to Dundee to face United as my finger nails begin to grow again after last weekends nail biting day out in Glasgow as the blue meltdown continues across the city.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
Pre-Order the latest Print Edition of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine Issue 135 and we will stick a copy in the post when the printer delivers this week or download the digital edition now. Grab the latest edition of the fanzine now by clicking into the cover of the latest fanzine.
Inside another packed edition of the independent Celtic fan publication, you can read about our Celtic Fan journey following Celtic all over Scotland and Europe.
We look back at our European Journey this season and in past seasons and look ahead to what is next on our journey following the Bhoys as the Celtic story continues
Our Editor Andrew Milne and Contributor Paddy McMenamin have been on the road from their bases in Galway and Drogheda travelling over land and sea to follow the fans journey including trips to Sligo, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Zagreb and on international duty with Liam Scales and Ireland in Dublin and London.
The Celtic Soul Podcast is back, and Trade Unionist Brendan Ogle joined us recently alongside Paul Sheridan from the Wakes and newly elected Sinn Fein TD Joanna Byrne to share their Celtic fan journey and Brendan joins us for this issues edition of the quick chat. Click link below to listen to all the latest podcasts or head over to our YouTube channel Celtic Fanzine TV to watch.
Lisbon Lion John Fallon is back to talk all things Celtic including Kasper, Brendan and the state of play in Scotland and Europe. Eoin Coyne looks at the improvement in performances under Brendan Rodgers and the strength in depth available off the bench. While Rachel Lynch is excited about what is still to come from this Celtic team this season.
The Poppy debate re-runs every season, and Paddy gives his point of view on that Little Red Flower after the recent trip to play Kilmarnock. Govan-born priest Martin Gordon joins us to tell us his story which is about to become a Movie.
Paddy goes back in time to one of his European away days when Celtic took London by storm 54 years ago in November 1970. The Hoops were in town to take part in Bobby Moore’s testimonial, the celebrated World Cup winning captain was a hero in the East End and Paddy was one of 10,000 Celtic fans in attendance that night.
Tim Molloy writes about Free State Podcaster and GAA stalwart Joe Brolly take on Soccer in Ireland and beyond.
We look back at Celtic’s brilliant performance against RB Leipzig and a share of the spoils against Club Brugges at Celtic Park. We also delve in the late David Potters archive and revisit the Ronnie Delia Years plus all the usual bits and pieces.
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A late Reo Hatte goal had the soaked Celtic fans in the away end at the corner of Pittodrie stadium jumping for joy on a Baltic cold night. We were singing in the wind and the rain. Brendan Rodgers and Celtic players delivered once again for the travelling support to continue and an unbeaten run on the domestic front in Scotland.
The result may have been kind to us but the weather was not. The walk from the city centre to the stadium takes about a half an hour when you add in a few pit stops along the way for a pint it took me about an hour and a half to reach the turnstiles and pick up my ticket from JP who had collected it for me from Celtic Park.
I was soaked getting into the ground and things did not get any better weather wise inside with only part of the away end covered. The soaking continued inside until full time and did not let off on the way back to the hotel.
Thankfully Aberdeen could not hold the Celtic storm for 90 minutes and after a spirited effort their supporters hearts were broken by Reo Hatte with the late winner. Celtic collected all 3 points and ended Aberdeen’s impressive home record.
Before kick off the Aberdeen fans put on an impressive fan funded Tifo display of red and white with Pyro type rockets fired into the night Sky. There were plenty of tasty tackles from the home side and gave their fans something to cheer about and argue over yellow cards issued. I thought the referee let them away with a lot from my viewing point.
Celtic’s young Catalonian left back Alex Valle picked up a yellow card which maybe was the reason that he was replaced at halftime by Greg Taylor. Taylor played the ball in for the goal which Hatte showed composure under pressure to send the Celtic fans in a vocal chorus of chants and songs.
The final whistle saw both sets of fans having some verbal with each other. The young Aberdeen crew were pulling shapes as if they were planning to charge the Celtic support. The only thing they would be charging was their mobile phones after using up the battery filming themselves acting hard.
The Aberdeen young troop are living on dreams and custard creams and lying awake at night dreaming of being casuals back in the 1980’s when their hooligan crew were no mugs and were feared by many hooligan firms home and away.
At one stage they were considered Scotland’s top dogs a crown they relinquished to the Hibs Casuals after an infamous day in Edinburgh. I think I’ve had harder boiled eggs and this young crew won’t have put any fear into the Celtic fans they were taunting. The Celtic fans responded by singing “Come over to my place, Hey You, We’re having a party” which seemed to upset them even more.
A good night even if we got soaking wet, 3 points and plenty of happy buses full of Celtic fans heading down the road finishing off a carry out and looking forward to Hibs at Celtic Park on Saturday. I feel sorry for the Celtic fans who turned up with no tickets, they got soaked and had to watch in the pub and I have to tip my hat to the bhoys still wearing shorts to games in December.
Aberdeen Away Days full article will appear in the More than 90 Minute Issue 136 out in January. December Issue 135 is at the Printers and comes out next week.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
Celtic players yesterday (Monday 2 December) made their annual Christmas visit to Glasgow Children’s Hospital today, spreading festive cheer to young patients and their families. The full first-team squad attended, handing out gifts, taking photographs with children on the wards, and spending time with parents at a period which represents a challenging time for so many.
As part of the visit, Celtic FC Foundation donated £10,000 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity in support of their vital work. The contribution forms part of the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal, which reflects the Club’s longstanding commitment to helping those in need.
The festive period, although ordinarily a joyous time for most, can often be one of the most difficult and challenging times of the year for those facing hardship in their lives. Through this year’s Christmas Appeal, Celtic FC Foundation will assist local families facing poverty, so they can enjoy the type of Christmas that many of us take for granted – as well as pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community, refugees, and a host of others who would otherwise struggle over the festive period.
Celtic Captain Callum McGregor spoke about the importance of today’s visit, emphasizing the deep connection between Celtic Football Club and the local community:
“Celtic has always been about more than football—it’s about family, compassion, and helping others. Our visit to Glasgow Children’s Hospital is a tradition that means so much to all of us. Spending time with these brave kids and their families is incredibly humbling, and seeing the smiles on their faces is what Christmas is all about”.
“The charitable roots of our club, established by Brother Walfrid to support those in need, remain at the heart of everything we do. Celtic FC Foundation continues this legacy, and we are proud to contribute to the incredible work of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, which provides such vital support to young patients and their families.”
The Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity works tirelessly to fund life-changing medical equipment, family support services, and innovative play therapies that enhance the hospital experience for thousands of children across Scotland. Through the donation made via this year’s Christmas Appeal, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity will be able to provide special Christmas presents to hundreds of children in their care, who are affected by ongoing health issues.
Expressing her gratitude for the visit and donation, Kirsten Watson, CEO of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “There’s a magical atmosphere in the hospital when the Celtic players visit. We are indebted to the club, the Foundation and its supporters for making such a difference to the lives of our young patients and their families, year after year. It’s one of our most cherished traditions, and one that the children will always remember.”
The visit and donation reflect Celtic’s enduring commitment to its community, ensuring that the spirit of giving shines brightly. Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is just one of a number of charities which will receive donations through this year’s Celtic FC Christmas Appeal.
Adam Idah silences Hearts fans after Ibrox Meltdown. The only disappointment yesterday for Celtic fans was that only 500 Celtic fans were allowed into Tynecastle to witness Celtic beat Hearts 4-1. Results wise it was a good day all around in the SPFL. Aberdeen dropped points away to St. Mirren in Paisley and Dundee United took a point at Ibrox.
More points dropped brought another meltdown by the rangers not so loyal fans before a ball was kicked in Edinburgh. The rangers manager, Philippe Clemont will be once again feeling the heat from the bears who are putting pressure on the board to sack him.
Could Brendan Rodgers be about to see off yet another manager from across the city in Govan. Their upcoming AGM on Dec. 5th should be entertaining as they now sit 11 points behind the Champions, Celtic.
Many of their fans have already conceded the title and it’s not even Christmas! Clemont will try to put a spin on it that the team are now only 8 points behind Aberdeen and were 9 points before kick off but we all know that will not wash and the laptop loyal can’t even spin this one.
In the capital, Celtic were not at their best in the first half. In the post match interview Brendan put it down to some of the players travelling half way around the World on international duty. He put out probably his strongest team and then had the luxury of making impact substitutions to seal the 4-1 win with the strength in dept he now has.
Second half sub Adam Idah silenced the home crowd once and for all. Adam pulled out of the Irish squad and came off the bench to score 2 including one from the penalty spot after James Forest was taken down in the box.
Kyogo opened the scoring and Nicolas Kuhn once again turned on the style to score. His contribution this season to Celtic will not have gone unnoticed at home in Germany. Will he get an international call up?
The only frustration Celtic fans watching on TV will have is the lack of tickets Hearts are willing to give Celtic for the game and the amount of empty seats throughout the stadium at kick off and by the end the home fans had bolted and were most likely half way up the road from their deserted stadium.
Leaving the 500 Celtic fans to celebrate another 3 points with the team and manager. Next up 60,000 at Celtic Park for the visit of Club Brugge on Wednesday. The Belgians won 7-0 at the weekend, Christos Tzolis on target 4 times and they will be confident they can spoil the feel good factor in the East End of Glasgow. Their visit to Glasgow comes on the back of a win over Aston Villa in their last Champions League game and they sit second place in their domestic league 6 points behind Gent.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
