An incredible night in Celtic Park under the lights on February 2nd 2022 had every Celtic fan filled with excitement and expectation for what most believed was the beginning of something special. After a blistering first half which saw Celtic take a 3–0 lead into the break, Celtic Park was absolutely rocking and by the end of the night most Celtic fans believed they had just experienced an old-school classic — a game that will be recalled to the grandchildren.

Something that really stood out that night for me was former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s post-match comments. While every Celtic fan was jumping for joy, the manager said this:

“We had 60,000 in here. I’m sure a lot walked in with some problems in their lives and for 95 minutes we made them forget that and feel good — and that’s something special.”

Click cover above to order print edition of the latest issue 

Why this stood out to me was so simple and yet so complicated at the same time, because the conversation around mental health is a tough one. I mean, it’s OK to use the tagline “it’s OK not to be OK”, but I speak from experience when I say that “not being OK” is a brutal battle to try to navigate every day.

In recent times we have seen that conversation more front and centre. Tom Rogic’s incredible retirement statement, where we were all reminded that these players are human beings too, is a powerful example of how the mental health conversation is so deep and invisible to most. Without exactly telling the fan base the in-depth details of his private life, Tom said in his Instagram post:

“Throughout the past seven years my wife and I have been on an immensely challenging journey with fertility issues.”

Click image above to download digital edition of the latest issue 

To put that into perspective, when Tom Rogic was scoring the last-minute goal to secure an Invincible Treble, he was likely dealing with some extremely stressful and emotionally draining personal circumstances that we, the fans, never knew about.

On the 10th of February 2024 my youngest daughter Penny, who was born with a rare genetic disorder, passed away aged 10. I’ve dealt with grief in the past with the sudden deaths of both my parents, and a divorce which crippled me emotionally and financially. However, nothing even comes close to the day I held Penny’s hand as she took her last breaths.

It is an image that is engraved on my mind in a way that never rests. It’s there when I try to fall asleep at night, when I get up and go to work, or when I’m standing in a stadium full of Celtic fans. The grief can hit like a bullet train and there is absolutely zero respite from it. It is relentless.

Outside my immediate family and friends, who have given myself and my daughter Lucy unwavering support, what has helped me on a level that is hard to put into words is the Naomh Pádraig Chariot — or as I call it, “the men’s shed on wheels”. A group of Celtic fans getting together and travelling extreme hours for sometimes poor performances makes absolutely no sense. It’s something I’m doing coming up to 30 years now, and yet I still love it.

The members of the club collectively put their arm around me in a way that only the Celtic family can do. Nobody will ever know what it was like to head for the Chariot for my first trip back after losing Penny, but the lads on the bus that day were so good to me. I owe them more than they know and I’m extremely grateful to them all.

The utter madness that is the Chariot can be best explained by a trip we took in January 2025 to watch Celtic v Dundee. We left Dublin at midnight, got to Celtic Park at 8am, and the game was called off after poor weather had damaged the stadium roof. We waited around in the freezing cold until 5pm before setting off for home — no football seen at all, and yet it was an absolutely fantastic trip. We sat in the Forge Shopping Centre drinking coffee and reminiscing about days gone by, and it was brilliant.

Click image to subscribe so you never miss a copy

What stood out to me was that I never sit and drink coffees with my mates. It’s something I’ve always thought women are fantastic at doing — they get together, talk their stuff out, and go about the rest of their day. Men tend not to do that. We bottle things up, and that comes from a generation where we were told that “this is what men do”.

In October 2024, after severely struggling with my daughter’s passing, I began counselling with LauraLynn Children’s Hospice. LauraLynn had provided respite care to Penny during her far too short life, and I always loved going there. The friendly staff providing such love and care to extremely sick children is so powerful to witness. The dignity they show these children is something that should be commended. These are real-life heroes.

The support since her passing has been nothing short of incredible. They presented me with some handmade gifts Penny had made before her passing — gifts I didn’t know they had made with her. Even as I write this I find myself emotional just remembering the day they called to my home with them. Now they are my greatest possessions, and I cannot thank the staff of LauraLynn enough for the impact all this has had on me.

On March 8th just gone, Penny should have turned 13 — a day which should have been a celebration but is now a day of crippling sadness.

After forcing myself to the game that day, I stood in Ibrox for the quarter-finals of the cup — 120 minutes of football with almost nothing to discuss at the end of it. Several moments during the game I found myself fighting the emotions of her birthday while trying to keep it together, looking to the sky and questioning whether I was mad altogether being there when I felt like this.

Then came the euphoria of winning the penalty shootout. The songs, the chants and the atmosphere were incredible. I found myself completely lost in the moment, jumping around like young kids while trying to avoid the bottles and seats that were being thrown towards us.

On the way back on the Dennistoun bus all I could think about was Ange’s statement. Celtic had allowed me to forget — even just for a few minutes — the woes of the day.

Click Image to order Back Issues 

I wanted to give something back to LauraLynn as a thank you for their incredible support. To try to use all the pain and sadness to create something positive.

So for all the reasons above, and with the help of my own club, the Naomh Pádraig CSC committee have supported me as I have arranged that on the 30th of May we will be climbing Djouce Mountain in Wicklow in an attempt to raise as much funds as possible for a charity that has been an incredible support to my family and to countless families around Ireland.

All Celtic fans are welcome to join. Afterwards we will be heading back to the Ardlea Inn in Artane where there will be prizes raffled off, followed by live music and some finger food.

In other words — a great Celtic day out in aid of a children’s hospice.

Click Image to watch on Celtic Fanzine TV 

The post Why Celtic is good for your health-Even this season appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

Martin O’Neill and Auston Trusty faced the main stream media again today with fan media remaining banned. Trusty and Celtic return to Hampden on Sunday for the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup after mixed luck at the stadium this season. This will be Celtic’s third visit to the national stadium after a League Cup semi-final win over the rangers and that painful defeat in the final against St. Mirren.

Martin O’Neill was on the sideline in Hampden when we beat the rangers that day but the league cup final against St. Mirren it was Wilfried Nancy who was in charge. Stephen Robinson was the Buddies manager when they lifted the cup but he has moved onto Aberdeen. Criag McLeish is now in charge and he has got the new manger bounce but lets hope that’s not the case on Sunday.

O’Neill hinted that Trusty will line up on the left side of the central defence with Liam Scales suspended with Benjamin Arthur or Dane Murray to play alongside on the right side of that central defence. But could the Celtic manager throw a curve ball in and keep Trusty on the right-side to be joined in that central role by Kieran Tierney with Marcelo Sarrachi at left back?

Click Fanzine Cover to Order the Print issue of the latest More than 90 Minutes 

Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand trained this week but the game has come a little too soon for them but it is positive news ahead of the league run in.

Last weekend Celtic beat St. Mirren 1-0 but it was not a convincing performance. After the game Martin O’Neill spoke about how tired the team looked. Hopefully on Sunday we see a Celtic team full of beans and chomping at the bit to get the win and get back to Hampden in May.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Mintues & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast

Martin O’Neill Presser: https://youtu.be/Dn3k9w5PFdA?si=JlDJKZfHv3K6UIyw

Auston Trusty Presser: https://youtu.be/RFn9RLATFu4?si=x88dgWOeP9c8GHgH

Click Image above to watch on Celtic Fanzine TV

The post Scottish Cup Semi-Final Build Up / Martin O’Neill & Auston Trusty Media Conference appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

It is clear now that a lesson has been learned by the Celtic directors that a lack of investment in the team is a strategy that does not work. The result of not replacing key players with those of an appropriate standard has become painfully obvious.

At the present time Celtic are threadbare in midfield and up front and it is only as a result of the management of MON that they are still contenders for the two most important competitions in Scottish football, notwithstanding the fact that the team at present is not particularly good.

When players such as Kyogo, O’Reilly, Kuhn and Idah left little effort was made to replace them with players of similar ability. I believe that the board of directors had a particular plan at the time to try and muddle along with players of lesser ability in the knowledge that they would still be good enough to rake in domestic trophies and that success in Europe was not prioritised as they were never going to win a European competition in any case.

Click cover to order latest print edition of the fanzine

I remember writing in this column about a year ago about the exploits of Nottingham Forest under the management of Brian Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor and the plan they had known as “observe and replace”. What this plan involved was to look at all the players and when it was felt that a particular players performance was slipping he would be moved on and someone at least as good as him would replace him. It seems clear that Celtic had no such plan [or any other plan]. There is a term for this type of approach when applied to industrial relation where it is known as “manpower planning” and thousands of books have been written on the subject.

In any event, when the above-named players moved on, there was nobody to replace them but it seems that the board felt that the existing panel could compete with the opposition in Scotland and keep winning. Europe was not prioritised as it was felt that the team was not strong enough in any event. In fairness to the board, it has to be admitted that injuries formed a major part in the unavailability of players with such luminaries as Alistair Johnston, CCV, Jota and Engels, Tierney and Calmac being unavailable for large parts of the season. This meant that at least half of the first team was injured for a sizeable portion of the year. In addition we have Kelechi Iheanacho who has been sidelined for most of the season.

 I think we can safely say that Celtic have been unlucky with injuries this season. It seems that the board did not foresee this happening and its’ potential impact on the team and this is another lesson. Football clubs of any kind must anticipate injuries and it is clear that this was not the case. To make matters a lot worse the penny pinching continued with the appointment of Wilfried Nancy. I don’t need to say a lot about this time as it has all been said already except to say that we would be twelve points better off at this stage if Martin O’Neill had been left where he was the first time and we would be out of sight by now.

Click image to download the latest edition of the fanzine

MON has performed a minor miracle keeping Celtic in the race for the title. It is as a result of O’Neill’s great work that we are in this position.

I turn now to the team itself. Whatever happens this season, Celtic are not strong enough for the coming season, although we have an excellent keeper and defence. Sinisalo has come in instead of Schmeichel, who is injured, and is playing really well. The full-backs Araujo and Sarachi have been playing very well [and in addition Ralston, Donovan and Tierney are also available] and there is a wealth of choice in the centre in the form of Scales, Trusty, Murray and Benjamin Arthur [on loan from Brentford]. With Araujo is now out injured.

It is further out the pitch where the problems lie. Firstly, it’s a pity that Hatate is not playing as well as he was previously. I’m not saying he is playing badly – it’s just that he doesn’t seem to be as good as he was before. When you add to this the absence of Engels and Calmac during the season through injury it is clear to see that there are problems in this area. It’s just as well that we have McCowan and Nygren in this area and the signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain has been prescient even though he doesn’t seem to be fully match fit in the sense of being able to compete for the full game. As regards the forward line Maeda is not playing as well as previously and this is a pity.

Click image to subscribe and get every issue delivered into your inbox & letterbox 

We are lucky that Yang is playing well now. I remember writing previously saying that Yang was improving. Since then has has been up and down but now we can see the potential being realised. He was great recently in the home game against Motherwell, scoring twice. As regards the players brought in on loan recently, it is clear that they are not good enough to play for Celtic and they will have to be moved along. Cvancara is an odd case. He has converted two very important penalties for which were eternally grateful it is necessary that a centre-forward be capable of scoring regularly other than from penalties.

Looking at the team in the round, Celtic will have to sign a new keeper to back up Sinisalo. I believe that the back line is sufficiently strong, particularly if Celtic are able to sign the two full backs Araujo and Sarachi on permanent contracts. In midfield there is every chance that Engels, Hatate and Nygren will move on. I’m not too worried about Engels or Hatate but I would prefer if Nygren stayed. At the time of writing he has scored nineteen goals. This is a fantastic scoring rate for a midfielder and in the absence of these goals Celtic would be out of both competitions already. However, because of this ability, we will have a number of English clubs knocking on the door to prise him away. Arising out of all this Celtic will have to sign one or two players in this area. I understand that Celtic are looking at Miguel Chaiwa the Hibs midfielder and he would be a good signing.

As regards the forward line I think Celtic should sign the two Motherwell players Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise. I also believe that Celtic are looking at the Plymouth Argyle player Aribim Pepple. This is a worthwhile approach, that is to search the lower leagues in England. For example, if a player is scoring regularly in League One, this means that he is Championship Level and if he is Championship Level he is good enough for the SPL [think of Gary Hooper].

And who will be in charge of all these players? The current favourite is Jens Berthel Askou. Having said that, I was looking at his CV lately and I thought it was a bit light. He is doing well with Motherwell but we’ll see.

Click image to order back issue print & digital editions

Finally, after this difficult season, I will be more than satisfied if Celtic win the Scottish Cup alone, after the gutless display away to Dundee United in the League. This loss means that Celtic have lost 8 games in the League. No team has ever won the League after losing this amount of games. This fact will not be changed this season. In this context, and having regard to the difficulties experienced by Celtic this season [some of which were self-inflicted], this is a significant achievement [i.e. winning the Cup], and it is clear that normal service will be resumed next season.

Tim Molloy lives is a life-long Celtic supporter and an Irish language enthusiast.  He is a law graduate of London University. Read Tim’s column in every issue of  More than 90 Minutes

Watch on Celtic Fanzine TV https://youtu.be/ejj84hMzww8?si=d6wCVS9f7hmMXHuu

The post Lack of Investment in the team is a strategy that does not Work appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

Celtic’s non-executive director Tom Allison has stepped down from the Board of Celtic plc. It was announced on Wednesday on the club’s official website.

He spent almost 25 years on the board which some Celtic fans thought was far too long. In business non executive directors would normally serve between 6 to 9 years.

He joined the Celtic board in 2001. He said “It has been my great pleasure to serve on the Board of Celtic for nearly twenty-five years.  The transformation of our Club over that period has been enormous and it has been my privilege to be part of that journey.  I wish our Club and our supporters every success in the future.”

Click Cover to order the Print Edition of the latest fanzine

Tom is the second board member to step down this season after Peter Lawell stood down as club Chairman earlier in the season.

When he arrived at the club Martin O’Neill was Celtic manager and Celtic were competing in Europe and signing players like John Hartson and Chris Sutton proven goal scorers in the English Premier League.

During almost 25 years he has seen Celtic dominate Scottish Football and Rangers go bust. The opening of Lennoxtown and redevelopment of Barrowfield. He leaves the club during a season of turmoil both on and off the pitch.

Was the FOOTBALL club in a better place in 2001 when he was appointed to the position than it is now? I think so and I am sure many will agree with me including Martin O’Neill.

Enjoy your retirement Tom.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast 

Watch Now on Celtic Fanzine TV https://youtu.be/q-NwVJkMrow?si=MD8n5wmjqYStuPsp

Click image to order one of our Celtic Soul Tees 

The post Was CELTIC FOOTBALL club in a better place in 2001? appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

The Green Brigade returned to take up their rightful place in the North Curve section of the ground they unfurled a banner before the game “Everyone has their particular part to play” . They did play a big part in creating noise and colour for over 90 minutes. From my viewing point in the main stand I noticed there was not a heavy Police presence visual near the section.

The Bhoys Ultras in their corner of the stadium also brought the noise and like the GB sang for 90 minutes. The scene was set before kick off! A sold out Celtic Park, the Fields of Athenry being belted out, scarfs above our heads and the players come out of the huddle to a big cheer. The sun was shining it was game on. 3pm football on a Saturday as it should be.

Celtic had to do the business to keep in touch with leaders Hearts who also kicked off at the traditional football kick off time. One eye was on the phone screen to see how they were doing it turned out they won 3-1. Motherwell had took the lead on the 50 minute but could not hold on but its all about what Celtic do and they held out for a 1-0 unconvincing win.

Click image above to order the print edition or digital download

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain kept his place in midfield and paid the managers faith in sticking with him with the winning goal. He also picked up the man of the match award which would have been a hard pick for the sponsors because no one performed to levels required to win the title.

A former player commented to me over a half time pie and Bovril that he did not think Celtic played friendly games in April. That just about summed up the game. We sat for 90 minutes waiting for some excitement but apart from the goal and the relief of 3 points at full time it was a poor game.

At times Martin O’Neill cut a frustrated figure on the sideline but he did get the win and after the game he said “The energy levels concern me a bit, we didn’t seem to have that. “For long periods in the second half, St Mirren were in control. However, we dug in and defended strongly to keep the clean sheet.”

For Festival Tickets Click image above or Scan the QR Code 

It was not pretty but it was 3 points and a clean sheet but if we are to progress in the Scottish Cup next week we will need to see improvement throughout the team. Likewise if we are to win the league the players will need to show more desire and find the energy that was lacking on Saturday.

All our thoughts now turn to Hampden next Sunday and another encounter with St. Mirren at the national stadium and chance to banish the League Cup final defeat earlier in the season.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast

Click image above to order one of our T-Shirts. Prices start at €10 plus P & P

The post Celtic Dig in for 3 Points – Player Energy Levels Concern Martin O’Neill appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

News, Views, Opinions, & Reviews

Click Image to download the latest issue of More than 90 Minutes

The post More than 90 Minutes Issue 142 OUT NOW appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

This week’s announcement of the imminent return of the Green Brigade to Celtic Park promises to lift the stadium on Saturday against St Mirren, and with six league games left we all need to come together and get fully behind the team to help drive them over the line in the title race. Given the position the team is in and the importance of retaining our championship, matchday protests and actions have been scaled back. We acknowledge that the shared focus of supporters for now must be on backing the players in these final weeks.

However, that does not mean the wider issues at the club have gone away. The failures of recent transfer windows, disastrous managerial and football department appointments, and the mistreatment and dismissal of supporters over the course of the season means that change is still needed within our club.

It remains our firm belief that Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay should be removed from their positions and replaced with suitable professionals willing to stand up to the presumed authority of Dermot Desmond and his family.

With season book renewals to be released in the coming weeks, we are asking supporters to withhold their renewals until the final day possible. This is a simple way to send a clear message to the current custodians of Celtic Football Club that fan anger over this season is not limited to a small minority. A huge swathe of the support has had enough and is demanding change.

We urge all fans to loudly and colourfully back the team as they push for the title and the Scottish Cup, but also to use their renewal to send a message the board that change is necessary.

Celtic Fans Collective

The post Celtic Fans Collective Update appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

Another 48 page More than 90 Minutes comes out on Friday 10 April packed with articles and opinions. Lisbon Lion Jim Craig graces the front cover after the recent launch of his Govan Foundation.

Opinions: If Celtic win the league this season will it be Martin O’Neill greatest ever Celtic achievements?. The Green Brigade Return. Celtic a team in decline. Divided we fall – United? Who Knows.

Snap: Tommy Gemmell Statue

Click image above to order the print copy of the new issue 

Supporters: Thomas Moran on Mental Health and Why Celtic is Good for you. Brian Keenan CSC 25^th Anniversary. First, Worst & Leave the Best till Last Gerard Glackin. Why I support Celtic: Maurice McEvoy

Charity: Celtic Supporters Hike for LauraLynn. John Fallon & the 12^th Lion Legacy. Jim Craig Govan Foundation.

Reviews: Celtic Retro News. Jungle Days Supporting Celtic in 1980’s.

Click image above to subscribe to get every fanzine into inbox or letterbox

History: The Potter Archives: John “Jean” McFarlane

Following Celtic: Away Days: Ibrox Glasgow Derby: Its more than football – its simply the best. Home Days: 48 Hours on the road to Glasgow.

Columnists: Tim Molloy, Andrew Milne, Rachel Lynch, Eoin Coyne, Brendan Ogle, Paddy McMenamin.

The post More than 90 Minutes Issue 142 out on Friday appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

The approach of Easter in 1916 probably did not mean much to the average Celtic supporter in Glasgow. The only real difference was that Easter Monday (April 24) would be a Holiday (a rare event in wartime Britain) and that Celtic would be playing Third Lanark, after they had played Hearts on the Saturday. Not that it really mattered of course, for Celtic, thanks to their heroics the week before against Raith Rovers and Motherwell (two victories on the one day!), were now League Champions for the third year in a row!

While this was going on in Glasgow, other more significant events were taking place in Dublin. St Stephen’s Green and the GPO were seized by Sinn Feiners of the Citizen Army and the Republican Brotherhood. Oddly enough, (well, maybe not, given wartime censorship) these events were not mentioned in the Scottish Press on the Tuesday morning.

Tuesday’s Courier and Glasgow Herald contain mentions of Roger Casement’s arrest for gun running, but nothing about the actual rebellion. That had to wait until Wednesday! Clearly, the British Government had been hoping that it would all go away. But “go away” it didn’t, and the “terrible beauty” was born.

Most Celtic supporters probably didn’t realise the significance of the Easter rebellion until years later. They were convinced however that their team in 1916 was virtually unbeatable!

From David Potter’s Archives (RIP)

The post Celtic FC Easter 1916 / The Potter Archives appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.

With bottom of the table Livingston getting a 2-2 draw with Hearts before Celtic kicked off they moved back to the top of the league table the gap now between them and their Glasgow cousins was only a point. Hearts on 67 and the rangers on 66 points.

The pressure was now on Celtic to deliver at Dens Park. Oxlade Chamberlain started in the middle with Nygren and McGregor. This season Hatate has been blowing hot and cold and after one of his coldest performances against Dundee United before the international break. His afternoon was spent warming the bench.

When Yang opened the scoring after 9 minutes it eased my nerves slightly. Before the game I wrote it would be another nail biting Sunday and I was not wrong. At times it was like a slow form of torture watching Cvancara missing chance after chance.

His form in front of goal is a bit like Johnny Kenny earlier in the season. Celtic should have been out of sight with the wind behind them in the first half they were in complete control but yet could not find the back of the net again.

Martin O’Neill mentioned that the game should have been wrapped up at half time in his post match press conference and interviews but his and all our stress levels were about to go through the roof watching the second half.

Dundee with the wind in their backs came out and looked a different team and were rewarded for their efforts when Murray scored from the penalty spot in front of the Celtic fans.

We have had some great escapes this season under Martin O’Neill and today was no different. Iheanacho came off the bench to replace Cvancara and with 8 minutes of normal time left he scored the winner. Celtic were back in the title race.

After 7 minutes of added on time the referee blew the full time whistle much to the relief and joy of the Celtic fans in Dens and all those watching around the globe.

We Go Again next week we are at home for a traditional Saturday 3pm kick off when St. Mirren will be our dance partners. Celtic will be favourites at home. Hearts are also at home and kick off at the same time v Motherwell.

We have said before that Motherwell could play a big part in who wins the league. Could they spoil the party in Edinburgh? The rangers have to wait till Sunday for their midday kick off away to Falkirk who have also impressed this season could they also do Celtic a favour? But most importantly Celtic have to deliver again.

Its tense, it’s a hard watch at times but it is exciting. Celtic need to start taking advantage of the chances they are creating in front of goal and start converting them into actual goals or our nerves will be shattered by the time the season finishes!

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast

The post WE GO AGAIN appeared first on Celtic Fanzine.