Scotland- Celtic v Aberdeen 27th May 2023

The end of May in Celtic’s history is always a special month. Every year that goes by marks the anniversary of that special day in Lisbon, where we became the first British club to ever win the European Cup in 1967 as well as dominating all the domestic competitions we entered. For some of us we just missed out on seeing it, or listening to it on the transistor radio (remember those).

More recently the word “dominated” has again made an appearance, as the end of May 2023 saw us take a step closer to our 8th domestic treble. Unfortunately this year we were made to wait until June to claim that title, due to the ridiculous and corrupt decision by FIFA to allow Qatar to buy the World Cup competition.

On this particular day though, the story begins in an area 9 miles outside of Glasgow. There is a quiet place that I invariably return to when I return to Glasgow for any reason. I’m not telling you where it is for selfish reasons, I don’t want it ruined.

On this day it was a 12.30 kick off and to get my space in a Celtic car park I knew I would need to be there early. Having claimed my spot I sat back, made a coffee, added my 14 sugars and read a book. No, it wasn’t the Beano summer annual it was an actual book. It’s fair to say I devoured a wonderfully written book by Stewart McGill and Vincent Raison called The Roaring Red Front about them visiting the worlds top left wing football clubs. Celtic get plenty of mentions so you wont be disappointed if you order it.

Whenever I park up at Celtic Park I smile and then instantly feel sad. In all honesty it would be unlikely I would be here today if it hadn’t been for the loss of my partner and best friend of 15 years, Louise in August 2022. It is after all her season ticket which I will always renew religiously and without hesitation each year, and who to be honest, in true warrior fashion told me to go and make new memories, travel the world and let no one tell you you can’t do something.

There is a lot to be said about this stadium. It has a rich history which has seen so many occasions to celebrate, it is hard to pick out a favourite…..but we all have one. I will go into more detail on the stadium which has undergone many renovations in its time in the forthcoming book Around The World In 90 Minutes however, too many of us it is the place we call home.

As I said the game was a 12.30 kick off but as we looked forward to the players coming out, it was great to see the visiting team Aberdeen show some class and receive the Celtic team with a guard of honour.

Stand On The Shoulders Of Giants was the tifo which was displayed in the North Stand (the Jungle too us oldies) and rightly so, while the West had Jock Stein and ourselves in the East had Willie Maley. A tremendous effort by everyone who yet again surpassed themselves in creating, funding and then bringing the display together.

Giants was a fitting term, as this was a team that was rebuilt in a very quick period of time, and yet over the past two seasons has gelled together as if they were a team which was nearing the end of their playing days, rather than the opposite.

The Bhoys kept us all waiting until the 27th minute before Kyogo put us 1-0 up with a left footed shot which he blasted high into the top right hand corner of the Dons net from 16 yards. It was a sublime finish which left about 4 of the Aberdeen defence looking bemused.

Five minutes later and up stepped the wee man with the big stature once again. This time it was much more of a poachers goal as he followed up a Cal Mac shot and finished it with a deft touch from 7 yards.

We waited until the 78th minute before scoring again. We all looked around amazed. Was that really Carl Starfelt who had scored ? It was indeed, thankfully it was a header and not his left foot eh ?

We seemed to be in the mood by now, or Aberdeen just weren’t, but two more goals from Oh gave us a resounding 5-0 victory.

Watching the team re-emerge from the tunnel after their customary walk around the ground applauding the fans, we were greeted with the spine tingling Champions League anthem as the players approached the makeshift stage to collect their medals and lift the league title. This was our 53rd and every one of them is sweeter than the next.

It was emotional and I wont lie. I’m big enough and certainly ugly enough to admit to shedding a few tears. I would have given everything to not be here, and instead have Lou celebrating with a wee half bottle of Buckie afterwards.

I was one of the last people to leave the stadium that day and as I walked back to the motorhome I prepared myself for a long wait too get out the car park. Feet up, coffee again (after checking how many bags of sugar I had left in the cupboard) and the book I began to settle down until the car park emptied.

It was an ok day weatherwise in Glasgow, and by that I mean it was May and it wasn’t raining so I had left the door of the motorhome wide open. Suddenly I could hear cheering. It was coming from the front of Celtic Park.

Now my mates who know I am to sprinting what Boris Johnson is too telling the truth, I did make it round to the front in about 27 minutes, just in time to start seeing the players coming out the main entrance.

I really didn’t think I was all that bothered about being a fanboy at my age but before I knew it the phone was out and the camera opened. There was a Mum and Dad with their wee girl who were yelling at every player to come over and get a photograph with them, so I cutely stood behind them and got all the pics I wanted and some even looked like the players were posing for me….clever eh. I did ask Greg Taylor for his winners medal but he politely told me to go away and reminded me that it was his.

The highlight though was when Bernabei hearing the Argentinian voice shouting “muchacho” came over with a cheesy grin on his face. I knew that Argentinian trip late last year would be beneficial at some point.

An astonishing day. You do think we are spoilt a bit. My Dad reminds me of the years spent supporting Celtic and seeing nothing but disappointment as we fell at every available hurdle to us. Yet every one of these glory days is relished. Every one of these days are remembered. And yes everyone who couldn’t be with us celebrates with us.

Sometimes it is only a few hours or even days after days like this when you think…….it is really special being a Tim.