Sunshine in Paradise

The sun was scorching as I walked towards Celtic Park yesterday about an hour before kick off. Shorts and shades were the order of the day for the faithful all heading in one direction up the Celtic Way. The Billy McNeill statue overlooking Celtic fans with tickets held high in their hands for purchase ahead of the traditional 3pm Saturday kick off.

There were some familiar faces from the pop World including the late Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria enjoying the atmosphere and hearing The Pogues Fiesta played before the game brought a smile to her face.

Ireland international and former Celtic player, Roco Vata was also back at Celtic Park supporting the bhoys as was former boxer Jamie Conlon no doubt he watched his fellow Belfast native Anthony Cacace later on the evening. Cacace was very impressive when retaining his IBO World title in Nottingham against Leigh Woods. The towel came in from the home town boxers corner in the round 9.

Yesterdays opponents Hibs did not live up to their billing as the best of the rest in Scotland and Celtic ran out comfortable 3-1 winners. Martin Boyle put the visitors ahead much to the delight of their traveling fans who unveiled a banner about tickets prices in Scottish football. Banners also appeared at the same time in the Bhoys section and by the Green Brigade in the North Curve.

Nicholas Kuhn opened the scoring for Celtic and Adam Idah added a second Celtic goal after missing a handful of chances in front of goal to make the half time pie all the more enjoyable. Adam splits opinion within the Celtic support but after the game Brendan Rodgers spoke very highly of his performance.

Reo Hatate put in a man of the match performance and was rewarded with a second half goal to make it 3-1. All in all a great day out in Paradise. We travel to Aberdeen on Wednesday for our last away day of the season. We have had some great adventures this season throughout Scotland and around Europe following the bhoys and lets hope we can end the endless miles over land and sea with another 3 points in what will be a dress rehearsal for the Scottish Cup Final later in the month.

Glasgow city centre was buzzing after the game as I strolled to Buchanon Bus Station, As people enjoyed the later afternoon sun with bars and restaurants doing a bustling trade On sunny days like these I wished I had booked an overnighter but an aeroplane awaited for an 8:30pm flight from Edinburgh to Dublin. There were plenty of familiar faces on the flight home from St. Margarets CSC & Mid Leinster CSC its always great to catch up and talk Celtic with like minded people.

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

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