As I begin to write up this month’s article for More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine it is with a heavy heart as the news from Donegal filters through. A horrific accidental gas explosion ripped through a garage/shop and apartments in the small village of Creeslough in north Donegal with 10 people losing their lives.
A Mother & son, a farmer, a 24 year old fashion designer, a lady working in the store, a father & daughter personifying the migrant community, a guy originally from Sydney, a 14 year old girl rugby player, and poignantly a Scottish guy with Donegal roots domiciled in Creeslough and a Celtic man, Martin McGill.
The news stunned Donegal and the whole nation and to Irish around the world, probably the worst accident ever to happen in the county which holds Celtic in its heart.
Martin McGill was preparing to go to the Leipzig game in Glasgow. He would have travelled on one of the Donegal Celtic Association coaches which would leave Gaoth Dobhair and Letterkenny for the Champions League game.
His photo which was released after his passing showed him in his ‘Hoops’ jersey. It somehow was so fitting that in his death his love for our wonderful football club was his epitaph.
A man who showed his love for his elderly Mother by moving to Donegal and his love for Celtic by his choice of heart.
Fittingly Celtic football club issued a heartfelt statement sending condolences and contributing £10,000 to the support fund set up after the disaster, also a minute silence will be held before the Leipzig game and the players will wear black armbands.
The link with Donegal was paramount in our suffering as the club the Donegal diaspora helped set up responded in a fitting manner.
Ar dheis De go raibh ar h-anam dilis
Paddy was born in Belfast with Donegal and Tyrone parents. He spent the 70’s in Long Kesh. He has been going to Paradise since the Benfica game in Nov. 1969. He lived in Donegal for 30 years but now lives in Galway. He returned to University at 50 and became a secondary school teacher of history and English.
Former MSP, Tommy Sheridan Joins More than 90 Minutes Editor, Andrew Milne for a chat about the sudden death of his friend and rapper Coolio, Scottish Independence, Workers Strikes throughout the UK, the new Tory leadership, Willie Maley Newry Monument and the Ange effect at Celtic.
Celtic Football Club Fans in Leipzig, Germany for the Champions League game against RB Leipzig. Celtic FC fans enjoying the sunshine in the square before backing the team for More than 90 Minutes in the stadium
Celtic fans started to depart Leipzig for Berlin straight after the game. For other fans Leipzig was home for another night to continue the party. For myself and the bhoys it was food and drink and a time to reflect on a poor night at the office for an injury hit Celtic team.
I’m sure when Ange Postecoglou talked about squad rotation he did not have a big Champions League night away from home on his mind. But utilise the squad he had to do with his first choice central defensive partnership out injured. Mooy and Abada were also missing from the travelling party.
Throw influential captain, Callum McGregor onto the injury list after going off last night and it was always going to be an up hill battle against a team who are said to have the best squad in the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich have the best first 11 in the league but RB Leipzig have strength in debt for every position.
Jota did give us cause for celebration but over all the home side were better than us on the night. The Celtic players and Ange got a great reception in defeat from the majority of Celtic fans who stayed till the end. Jota’s interview and his acknowledgement of the Celtic support was a nice touch and softened the blow a little as I fell into my hotel bed exhausted with an early alarm call on my mind.
As dark turned into light in the early hours of this morning Celtic fans continued to leave the city for home. The travelling support included fans who had travelled from Dubai, Norway, Canada and the US for the big game. Its incredible the attraction Celtic away games in Europe have for the faithful.
When you consider how little we win away from home in these competitions, it just goes to show that its not all about the glory hunt for Celtic fans. Its more about being part of the journey even though we crave the day that we win away. Sure we never stop singing about it!
My journey took me from Leipzig to Hamburg on the train and then onto Dublin with the budget airline. All on time and with little hassle. I had spoken to fans who had 3 flights to get home so I was glad to get home late this afternoon after the camel ride I had after our game in Warsaw.
The next Euro journey takes us to Madrid in early November. We will be there to cover the Celtic fans journey in the Spanish capital and home away in Scotland. To everyone I met on this journey thanks for the company, the chats and the craic. Don’t forget to follow the journey on the website, on social media, in our fanzine, More than 90 Minutes, on audio on the Celtic Soul Podcast and on video at Celtic Fanzine TV.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine which he started in 2001. He has been involved with fanzines since 1989 and has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic.He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com.He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast, Talk form the Terrace Podcast, Grand Auld History Podcast on Celtic Fanzine TV.He has hosted the live show Celtic AM in Thailand, USA, Ireland and Scotland and follows Celtic Home & Away.He is the man behind the Thailand Celtic Supporters Festival and the official merchandise designer and supplier for the NAFCSC Las Vegas Convention.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 free shuttle buses to the stadium were packed with singing Celtic fans in good spirits ahead of kick off. The relaxed atmosphere continued at the ground with the German Police again keeping a low profile unlike in Warsaw.
Same fans different Policing, The Polish Police should be sent to Germany to learn how to Police football games. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric before kick off as the Green Brigade lit up the evening sky with an impressive display.
Celtic Captain, Callum McGregor went off injured and his leadership was missed Ange Postecoglou and the Celtic players were given a tough lesson from the home side.
The high points in the stands for the Celtic fans were the VAR goals that were disallowed and Jota’s goal where I got soaked in a beer shower as the celebrations broke out.
It’s another away game that ended in disappointment but unlike Leverkusen last season when we almost got a 2-1 win before conceding two late goals to lose 3-2. This time we can have no complaints we were beaten by the better team.
There was no lock in by the Police at full time and everyone made their way out of the ground and onto the shuttle buses. We decided to walk back and dissect the performance. After a little debate we all agreed that if we continue to play this system in Europe we will continue to get punished at this level.
But then again what would we know! Once again I left the party early. As I left the square there was a good Celtic singsong taking place and as I got nearer the hotel the St. Pauli songbook was getting an airing.
I’ve got used to losing away in Europe over the decades, so when you do get a result like in Rome and Brussels it is all the sweeter. All thoughts now turn to Perth and domestic business on Saturday at lunchtime.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine which he started in 2001. He has been involved with fanzines since 1989 and has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic. He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com.He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast, Talk form the Terrace Podcast, Grand Auld History Podcast on Celtic Fanzine TV.He has hosted the live show Celtic AM in Thailand, USA, Ireland and Scotland and follows Celtic Home & Away.He is the man behind the Thailand Celtic Supporters Festival and the official merchandise designer and supplier for the NAFCSC Las Vegas Convention.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 atmosphere continues to build here in the heat of Leipzig. The weather gods have been kind to us. The picturesque city square is a wash with green and white. Everywhere you turn you meet old friends. It’s a magical feeling a few cold beers in the October sun.
The Police are around the square in large numbers but keeping a low key presence as Celtic fans enjoy themselves with cheap carry outs and the locals fill the recycling bags for a little payday. While the surrounding bars do a roaring trade.
As usual the Scottish based supporters clubs are all here and it seems there is also someone here from every supporters club on the Emerald Isle. CSC Norway are here as are some St. Pauli fans all here to cheer on the Celtic team.
The team buses are lined up as I type ready to bring the Celtic Players to the stadium and the fans are singing the Celtic song outside. By the time you read this they will be settling in for the real business of why we are here and supporters will be leaving for the stadium.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine which he started in 2001. He has been involved with fanzines since 1989 and has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic.He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com.He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast, Talk form the Terrace Podcast, Grand Auld History Podcast on Celtic Fanzine TV.He has hosted the live show Celtic AM in Thailand, USA, Ireland and Scotland and follows Celtic Home & Away.He is the man behind the Thailand Celtic Supporters Festival and the official merchandise designer and supplier for the NAFCSC Las Vegas Convention.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.
I left the Celtic fans partying last night just off the main square here in Leipzig. I thought the craic and singsong was good in the pub until I walked outside and was met with a sea of green and white Celtic clad fans in full voice and enjoying the party.
The team hotel was pointed out to me by a mate earlier and if it is where the team are staying they would have heard the vocal support into the early hours of this morning. Leipzig is certainly Green & White at the moment.
For many the party kicked off in an Irish bar across the road from our hotel until it ran out of beer and had to close as I passed it last night they were restocking and cleaning it for what should be another bumper day for the hospitality trade in the German city.
The atmosphere was helped last night by Liverpool 2-0 win at Anfield over the Rangers watched by hundreds of Celtic fans over here. Liverpool could have put 6 past them if it wasn’t for poor finishing.
There was a lovely vibe about the place, no tension like in Warsaw the night before the game in the old town on our last European away day a few weeks back. There was a very low key Police presence.
The Police it would seem had a busier night in Liverpool. Just when you thought that Sevco fans could not stoop any lower news came through on social media that they had brought with them to Liverpool laminated Sun Cover the Truth which blamed the Liverpool fans for Hillsborough.
A despicable act carried out to increase tension and hurt the families and friends of the 97 fans who lost their lives.
Thousands of more Celtic fans will be arriving in the city today and heading for the town square like the last time we visited. Many have based themselves in Berlin and its trains, planes and automobiles for many others who set off in the early hours of this morning to be here to cheer on the bhoys.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine which he started in 2001. He has been involved with fanzines since 1989 and has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic.He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com.He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast, Talk form the Terrace Podcast, Grand Auld History Podcast on Celtic Fanzine TV.He has hosted the live show Celtic AM in Thailand, USA, Ireland and Scotland and follows Celtic Home & Away.He is the man behind the Thailand Celtic Supporters Festival and the official merchandise designer and supplier for the NAFCSC Las Vegas Convention.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.
After Saturday’s 2-1 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park conversations took place among fans in Celtic bars around the globe, on supporters buses, ferries and in airports about the pros and cons of Celtic’s performance.
The win put Celtic 2 points clear of our noisy neighbours who’s fans gloating on social media was short lived after their win over their Edinburgh cousins.
The domestic season and our defence of our league title will now be parked in all our minds until at least Thursday ahead of our 12:30 kick off on Saturday when the Celtic faithful head to Perth for another away day.
First though we have the glamour of the Champions League to look forward to and dust up with RB Leipzig on their home patch. Celtic fans as usual are traveling in large numbers to support the Bhoys.
The last time we travelled to Leipzig back in 2018 we were beaten 2-0. After a great day in the square we followed the impressive corteo to the ground organised by the Green Brigade.
The journey on foot took us out of the city centre up a steep road surrounded by woodland to the ground before climbing a mountain of steps to enter the ground.
After the bad Policing after the game in Warsaw we can expect a more relaxed approach from the German Police once the full time whistle has blown.
The Germans may sit bottom of the CL group but they will be confident of a home win after a change of manager and a change of fortune since they got pumped by Shakatar at home before losing in Madrid.
They beat bottom club Bochum 4-0 on Saturday at home and have also beaten Dortmund 3-0 on their home patch.
They currently sit in 10th place in the Bundesliga. A tough task awaits Celtic. Ange will go for the win but a draw would keep us in third ahead of our 2 home games against RB and Shakatar.
Our away day journey started early yesterday morning and we will be there to cover the Celtic fans away day journey once again.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine which he started in 2001. He has been involved with fanzines since 1989 and has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic.He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com.He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast, Talk form the Terrace Podcast, Grand Auld History Podcast on Celtic Fanzine TV.He has hosted the live show Celtic AM in Thailand, USA, Ireland and Scotland and follows Celtic Home & Away.He is the man behind the Thailand Celtic Supporters Festival and the official merchandise designer and supplier for the NAFCSC Las Vegas Convention.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.
Celtic continue to move in the right direction under Ange Postecoglou in Europe. We witnessed the improvements he has brought since he strolled up Paradise way. He has built a squad who should now be ready for challenges at home and away in Europe’s Elite competition. .
In Warsaw we could have been 4 goals up in the first 5 minutes such was the blistering start. Once again Hatate was the toast of every Celtic fan but they caught us on the break to equalise in a game we dominated for long periods and the opinion of the fans I travelled back with from the Polish city is that we left 2 points behind.
The Celtic fans were in full voice inside the stadium that night from well before kick off. Celtic supporters were shipped to the stadium on 100 seater shuttle buses from the old town. The walk up to the turnstiles was similar to Leverkusen along a wooded area.
There was a massive Police presence throughout our stay in Warsaw. There were reports of Legia fans attacking Celtic fans on the night before the game in chat groups but I witnessed nothing from the comfort of a Polish bar watching Bayern v Barca.
The old town square was busy all day before the game as fans enjoyed the nice weather, cheap beer and the local cuisine under the watchful eye of the Police before leaving for the stadium.
Once off the buses some Celtic fans were fined on the spot for drinking with some getting handcuffed and put in the back of a Paddy Wagon which was hidden behind the very large water cannon but visible from inside the stadium in the concourse area where fans enjoyed the 3.2% beer and hotdogs before kick off.
Stewards were non existent once inside the turnstiles where everyone was frisked and had their ID checked and tickets scanned. So you could sit where ever you wanted and there was also an area next to the Celtic away support with a large number of Celtic fans mixed in with fans of the Ukrainians.
The atmosphere was brilliant and the team were backed from the warm up till they left the field of play by our very vocal support who made their feelings clear about the British monarchy. Joining Bayern Munich Fans in displaying banner the night before and AEL Limassol also let their thoughts be known on the monarchy.
The problems only started for fans trying to leave the stadium when they found all the exit gates locked for at least an hour. Caged into a small area with day trippers trying to get to the airport for the club charter, children and disabled people including Rory who is deaf frustration was growing.
Riot Police lined up on the other side of the gates including ones with gas canisters at the ready. The longer the gates were locked the more frustration was felt with one of two fans arguing with each other but over all the fans should be congratulated for their behaviour while being treated like animals.
The treatment continued once the gates were finally opened and the use of shields and police horses were used to make it almost impossible to get to the buses with the only exit being a small gap between the Riot Police in an area that was very badly lit.
Once finally back in the packed buses we were brought back to the old town we could finally get back to feeling like a normal person. Would any other sports fans be treated like this? I hope not.
I expect better organisation from the German Police in Leipzig and I don’t expect to be held in the stadium after the final whistle if memory serves me, I don’t recall ever being held back at full time in Germany.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine which he started in 2001. He has been involved with fanzines since 1989 and has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic.He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com.He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast, Talk form the Terrace Podcast, Grand Auld History Podcast on Celtic Fanzine TV.He has hosted the live show Celtic AM in Thailand, USA, Ireland and Scotland and follows Celtic Home & Away.He is the man behind the Thailand Celtic Supporters Festival and the official merchandise designer and supplier for the NAFCSC Las Vegas Convention.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 Consumer Champion, Martin Newman, has worked with the club on this project after the successful launch of the Invisible Disability ID and Martin has now kindly agreed to donate the sensory packs which we hope will make a positive difference to young supporters.
The pack is designed to support our fans who face a range of challenges, particularly those with autism, when attending Celtic Park. These are designed to make our fans’ match day experience more comfortable, memorable and enjoyable.
The Celtic Sensory Pack, which will come in a Celtic FC drawstring bag, includes a number of items including a Celtic branded Tangle Toy, Stress Ball and Fidget Spinner. The pack also includes an Invisible Disabilities Lanyard.
