More Drama at Celtic Park

5:30pm kick offs on a Saturday may not be for everyone but for those of us travelling from Dublin Airport and lucky enough to live within a short drive or bus journey from the airport it was ideal.

The later than usual kick off gave us the option of flying out later in the morning or for me at 13:50 and we had very little time for hanging around Glasgow to get the 22:30 flight home. No red eye flights is always a bonus.

Celtic Park was quieter than usual as I walked up Paradise Way. The fans boycott of the game impacted that but it was not until I got to my seat just before kick off did I really see how much support there was for the boycott. The stadium was half empty.

 

I was asked why we did not boycott the game. Some of the More than 90 Minutes crew attended the game some others chose not to attend the game. Big shout out to Michael Pringle who was boycotting the game but still made the time to pick me up and drop me at Celtic Park before he went to watch the game on TV.

From a personal point of view I think it would be dishonest of me to report on the impact of the boycott from the comfort of my sitting room watching the game on TV. Yes you can write a match report from watching on TV but you can not write about the fan experience if you are not at the game.

Last weekend due to work commitments I was unable to attend the Falkirk game and watched on TV. I was asked why I did not write about the fans chants of Sack the Board. The answer was simple I was not there to report on it.

 

When the game kicked off yesterday pockets of Celtic fans tried their best to get the songs going but it was not sustained without the drums and colour of Green Brigade and the Bhoys the only noise you could hear was coming from the Dundee Fans in the away section. Chants of what a Shite home support and keep the board could be heard but when they sang the Billy Boys it was drowned out by Celtic fans boos.

Celtic continued their unbeaten run since the return of Martin O’Neill. The team always seems to find a way to win and on an evening of late drama in Glasgow it was no different. It was all even at half time as we sipped our Bovril and scoffed our steak pies.

Dundee had proved hard to breakdown in the first half and scored a cracking to goal to put them ahead early in the second half. As the game wore on the moans and groans of Celtic fans got loader until a late goal brought Celtic back from the dead as seconds ticked down on a Scottish Cup exit.

 

With the clock ticking down 3 or 4 Celtic fans sitting in front of the Celtic directors turned their attention to the Celtic board shouting at them to just go! 

What a debut from second half sub Adamu his back heel sent us into wild celebrations. Tounekti another second half sub done brilliant with his assist and in extra time he scored the winner.

The officials in charge had another poor day allowing Dundee to run the clock down and while Celtic were not allowed when the tide turned . Then there was the penalty claim inside or outside the box. Video shows inside those on VAR saw it with orange tinted specs.

 

Kieran Tierney sustained a head injury in extra time and lay still on the ground. Always worrying to see. His replacement was Saracchi. He returned from injury and he was a joy to watch. His pass selection is impressive and he can be an important player for Celtic if he stays fit.  The arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when match fit could also be a game changer.

The Celtic board will finally start to talk to Celtic Supporters representatives during the week although as I write to my knowledge they have not extended the invitation to the Celtic Collective or the Celtic Trust. If the relationship between the Celtic board and the Celtic Support is to be mended talks should be all inclusive and transparent.

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