Celtic welcome Aberdeen and a certain Scott Brown to Celtic Park today in SPFL action.
Rangers play Livingston before we kick off at 3, so we will know if we can close the gap or can maintain the four points difference. No matter what it’s a crucial game as we look to maintain our recent good form in the league.
We go into the game on the back of Europa League elimination following the late 3-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. In the end we were unlucky to leave empty handed after leading 2-1 with minutes remaining. Plenty of positives to take from a game against top opposition and also things for Ange and the coaches to work on for the Conference League after Christmas.
Aberdeen travel to Glasgow with back to back defeats against Motherwell and Dundee United. The Dons haven’t had the best start to life under Stephen Glass, with 4 wins, 3 draws and 7 losses in their 14 games played. They picked up a point at Ibrox last month so are capable of picking up some decent results.
Celtic could have Tom Rogic and Carl Starfelt join the squad for the game. With Forrest getting the nod on Thursday I’d expect him to start along with Kyogo and Jota. Any sort of win is a must in the cold conditions.
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 & Celtic AM pre-match events at Murphy’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.
Celtic Fans will be making their way home by trains, planes and automobiles today disappointed that we did not secure a famous away victory against Bayer or even a share of the spoils but happy in the knowledge that Celtic as a team are moving in the right direction and improving under Ange Postecoglou.
The atmosphere was electric inside the stadium last night as fans swayed and sang to the beat of the Ultra drums. Bayer opening the scoring to go 1-0 but this could not dampen our spirits as we took over almost half of the stadium something you would not expect to see on an away day in Europe and especially in Germany.
The home fans behind the goals did create some atmosphere but empty seats throughout the stadium signalled that Bayer have only a fraction of the support of neighbouring Cologne. The penalty kick was the tonic we needed before half time as we caught our breath and looked forward to the second half.
When Jota put the ball in the back of the net to put us 2-1 up the place went mental, beer flew in the air and soaked us, hugs were exchanged and the noise levels increased in the cold German night air. The January transfer window will bring new blood into the squad but Jota will be the signature on a permanent contract we all want and when he was substituted the fans let this be known in full voice. I think the last time I was this excited about a loan signing was Artur Boruc.
Losing 3-2 in the end was like a severe kick in the nuts but we could be thankful that we were not held in after the game which always adds to the frustration of a painful defeat.
We could walk and board the football special to get us back into Cologne safe under the watchful eye of the Police who had a handy night at the office with no trouble around the stadium.
As the game was not classed as a high risk fixture fans were able to enjoy a carry out right up to the turnstiles as recyclers gathered up bottles and cans for cashing in. Getting into the ground took about a half an hour, the first check was for your Covid Vac Cert, once through that you joined the queue to show your match ticket then it was single file through a cage then one by one we had a body search before finally getting in to get the first taste of the atmosphere.
In some cities we visit to watch Celtic there can be an edge of tension in the air with the home fans like in Rome when we played Lazio or even in Budapest a few weeks back with the right wing fans of Ferencvaros looking for trouble.
Pre-Match in Cologne was different gravy in the Christmas Markets and Bierkellers. Celtic Fans mingled with the locals and enjoyed the food and drink on offer and even joining in Carol Singing while giving the local hospitality economy a boost.
No bar or restaurant were letting anyone in without Covid Vac Certs and even in the outdoor markets you had to produce the certs to buy anything or to have a drink or food.
Next stop is Glasgow on Sunday when Aberdeen come to Celtic Park. We also have a cup final to look forward to and at least one more European Away Day in the new year.
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 & Celtic AM pre-match events at Murphy’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.
No-one typified Celtic in the Lisbon era more than Bertie Auld. It was he who started singing “Sure it’s a grand old team to play for” in the tunnel at Lisbon to the wonder, horror and amazement of the Italian superstars, but that was just what Bertie was – very Glasgow and very Gallus, almost naïve in his belief that Celtic were going to do well. And it was he who made sure that they would do well. He was the midfield general. He was the man who made them tick.
He first signed for the club in 1955, and he was clearly a young man of some ability but his character was such that he was not well liked by Mr Kelly and he was transferred to Birmingham City in 1961. The supporters were not happy, but what could they do about it? With Birmingham he won a League Cup winners medal and played in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup final.
But he was a homesick Glaswegian at heart, and as early as December 1964 when Celtic were on their knees, a few contacts started talking. Bertie insists that he knew Jock Stein was returning to Celtic, and the return of both men was no coincidence. Basically Bertie wanted Jock, and Jock wanted Bertie, and the two of them brought back the Scottish Cup in 1965 as a stepping stone to a period of virtually unbelievable success, including of course the European Cup.
Bertie had changed position. He had been a left winger in his early days but he now teamed up very well with Bobby Lennox, and soon Bertie dominated the left side of the midfield. With Bobby Murdoch on the right, it was a mighty combination, indeed an unbeatable one. He was part of everything that happened from 1965 to 69. By 1970 he was struggling to keep his place but his Celtic career had a glorious sunset one day in January 1971 at Dens Park when Celtic beat Dundee 8-1 and it was all orchestrated by Bertie Auld who seldom left the centre circle! His passing was superb.
He won 5 Scottish League medals, 3 Scottish Cup medals and 4 Scottish League Cup medals, in some ways, he symbolised Celtic. Like Gemmell and Johnstone, there was a wild side to him but there was always a basic respect for Jock Stein. The trust was mutual. He had his moments with referees and with officialdom and was once sent home in disgrace for misbehaviour on an American tour, but then again, he was simply that kind of guy.
He played briefly for Hibs, and was Manager of Partick Thistle, Hibs and Hamilton Academical, but his heart was never very far away from Celtic Park. He was a well known figure around Celtic Park, he spoke to all the punters “just like an ordinary man”, especially, and was always willing to attend supporters’ functions where he was charming, entertaining and good fun.
He was a mighty player and a great entertainer on and off the field. He was one of the true Celtic characters. He will be much missed. And sadly, there are now only four of the eleven Lions that started in Lisbon left – Jim Craig, John Clark, Willie Wallace and Bobby Lennox. RIP Bertie Auld.
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. 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.
It’s back to Europa League action for Celtic on Thursday as we travel to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen.
The home match didn’t go as planned as the Germans ran out 4-0 winners however the back to back wins against Ferencvaros has put Celtic back in the running to qualify from the section, with Conference League football guaranteed for after Christmas if we don’t.
In the nine games Bayer have played since they beat us they have only won three, beating Arminia and Betis 4-0 and then a 1-0 win at the weekend at home to Bochum. They have been hammered 5-1 at home against Bayern Munich, knocked out the German Cup at home against Karlsruher and also beaten by Wolfsburg 2-0 at home. After sitting atop the Bundesliga they now find themselves in 4th place seven points behind Munich.
In the Europa League they see still undefeated with 10 points knowing a win against us puts them through. They are three points ahead of second place Betis who are a point ahead of Celtic.
Celtic have also played nine matches since the defeat against Leverkusen and we are unbeaten, winning eights and drawing one, reaching the League Cup Final, so should go into this game with a bit more confidence than we had in the first game.
It’s never easy going to Germany, Celtic have played 11 times there and only had three draws to show against Werder Bremen, Hamburg and Moenchengladbach, not the greatest record. However we all know Ange and the team will go with the mindset to attack and I have a feeling we will score, can we keep the ball out of our net too?
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.
Big game night in Germany as Covid Restrictions tighten here in Cologne ahead of clash up the road between Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen. Many Celtic fans have made Cologne their base for a few days and the Irish bars are doing a roaring trade as the atmosphere builds up ahead of the crucial Europa League Clash.
Celtic Fans have travelled in large numbers to Germany but the furthest travelled award has to go to Joe Cook and his crew who have left the sunshine of Los Angeles for the cold of Germany.
The bars in Dublin airport were buzzing yesterday even if they did run out of gas for pints at the departure gate bar as a packed plane took off for Germany city. The bar cart was emptied very quickly and as the aircraft circled over Cologne Airport to land a chorus of Celtic songs echoed throughout the cabin. “Hail Hail the Celts Are Here”
German Covid Locator forms were checked before Passport control and we were soon on a train for the short journey into the city to sample a few beers, the local cuisine, talk Celtic and hear some tall tales of past trips.
Another day of the same shenanigans awaits as more Celtic Fans flood into nearby airports and train stations as we dream of a famous Celtic European Away Win against the table toppers. COYBIG
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 & Celtic AM pre-match events at Murphy’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.
Another packed issue of the fanzine is now available to download as we wait for the print edition to arrive from the printers. Anyone pre-ordering the print edition will get a digital copy FREE while they wait for the print edition to drop through the letter box.
Johnny Doyle the man who loved the Green graces the front cover on the 40th anniversary of his sad passing, Inside the Editor, Andrew Milne looks at the state of play at Celtic while the Shamrock Editor Paul McQuade, Author of Celtic Daft, The Johnny Doyle Story pays tribute to the great Celt. Glasgow Poet, Erin Boyle pays tribute to Johnny also with a poem she performed at Celtic AM in Murphy’s Glasgow during our Johnny Doyle Special recently.
The Panel features More than 90 Minutes stalwart, Henry McGarvie, Glasgow Journalist Mick Kane, New York based Bronx Bhoy Brock McVeigh and the Kano Foundations Joe Mackin.
How was it for you makes a return with Real Betis fan Jorge Martin joining us for a chat and the Fan Focus is back with Raj Gandhu. Away Days is also finally back and features our trip to Seville in Spain for the Real Betis game.
Martin Donaldson, GOAL! looks back to Paul McStay’s 87 minute equaliser against Hearts back in December 1987. Regular contributor Rachel Lynch reflects back on the closure of the Celtic Shop in Dublin after 22 years.
Liam Kelly writes about The Chasm In The Celtic Support which Only Seems To Manifest Itself Online and Eoin Coyne embraces Ange Postecoglou and the unknown. Ciaran Kenny writes about forever keeping the faith and the Home Bhoys Room 1 on 1 features in our Podcast Review.
Celtic historian David Potter pays tribute to Celtic Legend Bertie Auld after his sad passing and he looks back at the Celtic career of Jack Morrison and former Celtic manager Ronnie Delia’s first season in charge.
All the regulars are inside including Since Last Time, Snap which features some great Johnny Doyle images, Comment, Scoby, Media Watch, Tim Molloy, The John Fallon Column, The Anorak and All Our Yesterdays
The semi final of the Premier Sports League Cup, sees Celtic take on last seasons winners St Johnstone on Saturday with a 5.15 pm kick off.
The match will be the first Celtic game since the sad passing of club legend Bertie Auld, with a minutes applause announced before the game and all Celtic players wearing number 10 on their shorts in memory of the much loved Lisbon Lion.
Celtic go into the match in good form, unbeaten in our last eight matches in all competitions, with the home draw against Livingston the only blip. We beat St Johnstone 2-0 at Celtic Park during this run of games. We have beaten Hearts and Raith Rovers to reach this stage of the cup.
St Johnstone are unbeaten in their last three games since we beat them, drawing with Hearts in Perth, beating Dundee United at Tannadice and drawing last time out at home to St Mirren. In the cup they have beaten Arbroath and Dundee to reach the semi final.
It looks like the Saints will be without Stevie May and Glenn Middleton due to injury. Celtic will still be without, Taylor, Jullien and the match will likely be too early for Tom Rogic and Carl Starfelt to return. Reports are also suggesting that Giakoumakis has a knee injury.
The Saints have proved worthy cup opponents for any team in recent years, winning the League Cup and Scottish Cup last year so Celtic will have to be wary of the danger the Perth side can cause. The wide Hampden pitch should offer our attacking players the width and space to exploit the Saints backline.
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.
More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine’s Erin Boyle chats to Celtic Manager, Ange Postecoglou as he joins Erin and other members of Celtic Football Club Fan Media.
Celtic FC manager Ange Postecoglou chats about his time so far in the Celtic managers hot seat as we enter into the winter months which includes the shut down and the transfer window. He chats about the players he bought in including Jota and how he is enjoying his football at Celtic.
The Celtic Football Club manager talks about how he and his family have settled into life in Glasgow and the togetherness of the Celtic team and the Celtic fans after having to settle in with a new back room staff and the positive impact his captain Cal Mac has had in the dressing room along with senior players like Tom Rogic and Joe Hart. He also praises the support the Celtic fans are giving the team home and away.
After attending the recent Tommy Burns Story at Celtic, Erin asks Ange how did he enjoy the story of the Celtic Legend and the culture of Celtic and us the fanbase. Ange talks about Tommy and Bertie Auld and the importance of both men to Celtic.
Ange Postecoglou also chats about his philosophy on football and his idea of how Celtic should win and perform and the importance of Celtic Legends around the club like Danny McGrain and John Clarke. He mentions standing on the shoulders of giants from the supporters to the club founders.
Ange talks about the players who have yet to make an impact, some may go out on loan in January while others who had no pre-season will get their chance when they get up to speed and he is sure they will show their quality and says all the players are working hard each day in training and are improving.
As expected new Celtic fans favorite Kyogo popped up in the conversation and Ange is happy that he will have the January break for some rest and relaxation. He also draws similarities and differences in the environment between Japan and Scotland including the media.
The Celtic manager chats about the growth of football in Asia over the last 20 years. The quality of football players in Japan, South Korea and Iran and their technical ability and attitude.
He talks about his upcoming first visit to Hampden along with the majority if his players who will make their Hampden debuts. The importance of the win over Hearts so early in the season and how the team are more settled now and how the team has grown since the early Champions League exit.
He finishes off the press conference talking about what he expects from his players both on and off the park and the character that is needed to succeed with his style of play.
Erin Boyle is a poet from Glasgow who is currently studying Journalism and Media at university. She has a love for theatre and is passionate about working with young people and helping to empower marginalised voices in the arts. Her love for Celtic is echoed in her poetry and her earliest memories are dancing around the living room to ‘ Four Leafed Clover’ and ‘Let The People Sing’, while browsing through her Dad’s jersey and fanzine collection. Inspired by her Dad she joined the Kano Foundation, a charity set up by fellow Celtic supporters, where she plays an integral part in taking deserving kids groups to Celtic Park to sample the match-day experience.
Celtic Manager Ange Postecoglou with More than 90 Minutes and the Celtic Fan Media (Part 3)
More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine’s Erin Boyle chats to Celtic Manager, Ange Postecoglou as he joins Erin and other members of Celtic Football Club Fan Media.
Celtic FC manager Ange Postecoglou chats about the growth of football in Asia over the last 20 years. The quality of football players in Japan, South Korea and Iran and their technical ability and attitude.
The Celtic Football Club manager talks about his upcoming first visit to Hampden along with the majority if his players who will make their Hampden debuts. The importance of the win over Hearts so early in the season and how the team are more settled now and how the team has grown since the early Champions League exit.
He finishes off the press conference talking about what he expects from his players both on and off the park and the character that is needed to succeed with his style of play.
Erin Boyle is a poet from Glasgow who is currently studying Journalism and Media at university. She has a love for theatre and is passionate about working with young people and helping to empower marginalised voices in the arts. Her love for Celtic is echoed in her poetry and her earliest memories are dancing around the living room to ‘ Four Leafed Clover’ and ‘Let The People Sing’, while browsing through her Dad’s jersey and fanzine collection. Inspired by her Dad she joined the Kano Foundation, a charity set up by fellow Celtic supporters, where she plays an integral part in taking deserving kids groups to Celtic Park to sample the match-day experience.
More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine’s Erin Boyle chats to Celtic Manager, Ange Postecoglou as he joins Erin and other members of Celtic Football Club Fan Media.
Celtic FC manager Ange Postecoglou chats about his philosophy on football and his idea of how Celtic should win and perform and the importance of Celtic Legends around the club like Danny McGrain and John Clarke. He mentions standing on the shoulders of giants from the supporters to the club founders.
The Celtic Football Club manager talks about the players who have yet to make an impact, some may go out on loan in January while others who had no pre-season will get their chance when they get up to speed and he is sure they will show their quality and says all the players are working hard each day in training and are improving.
As expected new Celtic fans favorite Kyogo popped up in the conversation and Ange is happy that he will have the January break for some rest and relaxation. He also draws similarities and differences in the environment between Japan and Scotland including the media.
Erin Boyle is a poet from Glasgow who is currently studying Journalism and Media at university. She has a love for theatre and is passionate about working with young people and helping to empower marginalised voices in the arts. Her love for Celtic is echoed in her poetry and her earliest memories are dancing around the living room to ‘ Four Leafed Clover’ and ‘Let The People Sing’, while browsing through her Dad’s jersey and fanzine collection. Inspired by her Dad she joined the Kano Foundation, a charity set up by fellow Celtic supporters, where she plays an integral part in taking deserving kids groups to Celtic Park to sample the match-day experience.
