Author Archives: celtic

Jim Craig done it all as a CELTIC Player

Jim Craig done it all as a Celtic player. Jim and his team mates are the most famous Celtic players in Celtic’s long history after that famous win in Lisbon in 1967. On Sunday Jim Craig will unfurl the league flag at Paradise and get the hero’s welcome once again from the Celtic support.

After he unfurls the flag Lisbon Lion, Jim will take his seat in the director’s box in the main stand to enjoy Celtic’s opening game against Kilmarnock.

Jim made his Celtic debut in a European Cup-Winners’ Cup tie against Dutch side, Go Ahead Deventer, in October 1965, and over the next seven years would go on to play 231 times for the Hoops, scoring six goals.

Winning 7 league titles, 4 Scottish Cups, 4 League Cups and of course the big in 67’.

He played his last game in the 1972 Scottish Cup Final when Hibs were hammered 6-1 by Jim and his team mates

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jim a few years back in Malones, Glasgow when I used to host our pre-match show CELTIC AM. His knowledge of Celtic’s history was impressive and he spoke about the highs and lows of being a Celtic player and a supporter over the decades.

He had plenty of time for the Celtic supporters gathered and if my memory serves me correct we also had Joe and Gerry from Not the View Celtic Fanzine with us that morning and the conversation turned to the Old Celtic board and the takeover.

When I look back to all those CELTIC AM shows. I wish we had them recorded properly for our archives. We had some great shows over the years in the bar, upstairs and we even hosted one on the roof garden on the eve of a game v the rangers.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes 

JOHN HARSTON Season Preview & Golden Moments

Last Saturday night I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with John Hartson in Maynooth to look back at last season, preview this season and also look back at John’s time at Celtic during a very successful time under Martin O’ Neill.

A big thank you to North Kildare CSC for the invitation and hospitality. The club were celebrating their 5thanniversary at their base, The Newtown Inn. The venue was ideal for this sort of night with an elevated Stage area and TV screens surround the room to enhance Celtic match day experience for the members.

If you’re in the area and looking to watch a Celtic game you won’t find a much better venue. John got a fantastic welcome and asked me to pass on my thanks to the club members and all the Celtic fans who had travelled from around the country to enjoy the night.

John was on hand before the gig to chat to members and friends. The first half of the show I got a chance to interview John and I have to say the audience were brilliant. At half time, John took time out for some photographs. The time also gave punters a chance to grab a beer and take a toilet break.

The second half was opened up to the audience and the questions were really good and included a young 16 old footballer looking for advice and a question coming in via text from John’s former team mate Rab Douglas.

Catalpa provided the music and the Celtic v Chelsea game was shown on the many screens so all in all a super night for Celtic fans ahead of the new season rounded off by the score line and performance from the Bhoys CELTIC 4 Chelsea 1.

Full review and photographs will appear in the next Issue (134) of More than 90 Minutes.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes 

CELTIC FC TV SCHEDULE

FLAG DAY: Celtic face Killie on Sunday at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership. Kick Off 4:30pm and the game will be streamed on Celtic TV and shown live on SKY Sports.

AWAY DAY 1: Celtic face Hibs on Sunday 11 August at Easter Road Stadium in the Scottish Premiership. Kick Off 12:30pm and the game will be streamed on Celtic TV and shown live on SKY Sports.

LEAGUE CUP: Celtic face Hibs on Sunday 18 August at Celtic Park in the League Cup. Kick Off 03:00pm and the game will be streamed on Celtic TV and shown live on Premier Sports.

AWAY DAY 2: Celtic face St Mirren on Sunday 25 August at The SMISA Stadium in the Scottish Premiership. Kick Off 12:30 and the game will be streamed on Celtic TV and shown live on SKY Sports.

GLASGOW DERBY: Celtic face Rangers on Sunday 1 September at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership. Kick Off is 12:30pm and the game will be streamed on Celtic TV and shown live on SKY Sports.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GHIRLS IN GREEN

The Ghirls kick off the 2024/25 campaign when Elena Sadiku’s title-winning side take on Dundee United at Celtic Park on Saturday, August 10.

In yet another milestone for the history-making team, Celtic FC Women will unfurl the Champions’ flag for the first time in the SWPL, before kick-off at 1pm.

Be there to show your support for the Scottish Champions and play your part in getting the Ghirls off to a strong start in the new season!

https://www.celticfc.com/tickets/celtic-fc-women/

Away Days Ticket Cut

Hibs cutting Celtic’s allocation for the first away game of the season is more unwelcome news for Celtic fans. The allocation has been cut by just under 700 tickets which make it even harder now to nail down a ticket and push more Celtic fans into trying to get tickets to sit with Hibs fans.

My last visit to Easter Road was a fantastic experience with Adam Idah the hero on the night, one thing that was noticeable that night was the amount of empty seats in the stadium.

For those if us travelling from Ireland we have a conundrum for each away game. Do we wait till the last minute to see if we get a ticket?, before booking a flight at top dollar or do we take a chance and book when the flights are cheaper in the hope we secure a ticket.

Away Days are a big part of football fans season, a lot of games are re-scheduled for TV and now we have another bitter pill to swallow.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine 

 

 

Celtic v Hibs League Cup Clash

The details for Celtic v Hibs in the League Cup last 16 tie  have been confirmed.

Celtic  will take on Hibs at Celtic Park on Sunday, August 18.

Kick-off will be at 3pm with the match televised on Premier Sports 1.

CELTIC DON’T NEED TO SELL O’RILEY

It all starts again this Sunday when the Champions Flag will be raised once again at Celtic Park before the Champions kick off against Kilmarnock at a sold out Celtic Park. Sharp is a word that comes to mind after watching the pre-season tour of the US.

Brendan Rodgers has always spoken about bringing quality into the team and although some Celtic fans may be getting anxious with the lack of signings during the summer. I expect him to add that quality before the transfer window closes.

It’s very early days in Kasper Schmeichel’s Celtic career but he looks like he can fill the void left after the retirement of Joe Hart in both experience and quality. Brendan has also spoken about bringing in a left back and Celtic are very light up top with only Kyogo to lead the line after Rocco Vata turned down a chance to be one of 3 strikers this season at Celtic.

The Adam Idah transfer saga continues with Norwich’s value far above what Celtic think the player is worth. Celtic took Adam on loan last season and gave his stalled career a kick start and you would think he would be chomping at the bit to play Champions League football which would also do his international career with Ireland no harm to be playing at European Elite Level.

It would be wonderful to keep a hold of Matt O’Riley but I suspect if the Celtic board have a  valuation of the player and if it is reached he will be moved on and the money will be banked.

Keeping O’Riley would give everyone from the players to the fans a massive lift and if he was around when the transfer window shuts it would be an indication of where the club are heading under Brendan.

Celtic have plenty of money in the bank and Celtic don’t need to sell Matt.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes 

Brendan Rodgers cuts a relaxed figure

Brendan Rodgers cut a relaxed figure when he faced the press alongside Celtic’s latest signing, Kasper Schmeichel ahead of the Man City game. The Danish goalkeeper has been reunited with Rodgers after their Leicester days together.

A quick scan across Celtic websites on Celtic News Now and some of the headlines would suggest that some fans are anxious about the lack of players coming in and out of the club. The manager however has been calm and cool when asked about Matt Riley’s future with so much transfer speculation doing the rounds.

If the Celtic board get the valuation they have of the player than I have no doubt that Matt will be moving on and I am sure that those player deals which are almost over the line will get completed by the time the transfer window shuts.

The current Celtic squad should be strong enough to compete to win every game in August Celtic will need to get any new signings bedded in for the start of the Champions League campaign. Those players coming into the squad need to be ready to compete for a starting 11 place and be able hit the ground running. Schmeichel fits that profile.

The last thing we need is another group of project players and I can’t see Brendan Rodgers acccepting anything less. As I said before we need quality over quantity with the squad top heavy with fridge players returning of loan deals.

With Mark Lawell and Co. being relieved of their duties and put on gardening leave after a disappointing January transfer window. I would like to know what direction Celtic will take now with the recruitment structure. Who is coming in? Is Brendan Rodgers now in charge? Who is working alongside him if so? Just 3 questions I would like to ask and I am sure most fans would also like to know.