Author: StevieBhoy

My journey started on Wednesday 18th of February. Early in the morning I travelled via Luzern, Olten to Basel. In Olten Beat „Bob“ joined me and we did take an EasyShit flight to Edinburgh. There we took the bus to Glasgow Buchanan Station. After checking in our Hotel (Travelodge City Centre) we headed for a first wee journey to Kilmarnock. Martin and his family awaited us for dinner. After enjoying the dinner together with them, a Spanish Celtic fan and Greg, a family friend and big Killie fan, we went to a local pub. After some rounds we headed back to Glasgow for the first big day.

On Thursday we met up with Martin and Carlos for having a bit of match day drinking. We went to Failté where we met Pascal and friends from the French CSC. Later we moved on to Babbicy Bewster and enjoyed Scottish meals and drinks. From there we went on to another Pub before heading to Parkhead.

The atmosphere was electric. It felt so good to be back home, to see the stadium. Each meter was a step closer to where I wanted to be every weekend, but obviously I can’t. So happiness and excitement floated through mine and Beat’s bodies. We couldn’t wait to go inside the stadium to sit on the CSCS’ seats.

After enjoying the fantastic pre match atmosphere we were blown away with the YNWA. What an experience it is each time you can hear, feel and see this song been sung at Parkhead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXuhUuLLlJg

The game started bad. After just 4 minutes swiss national player Shaqiri scored and Parkhead reacted fantastically by trying to give the players courage to hit back. It did come different: After 13 minutes Palacio scored a second and the stadium was silent. The fans were shocked and thanks to an superb pass form Matthews and the good finish from Armstrong after 24 minutes the hope was back and so was the singing and pushing by the supporters. And it helped to give Inter’s player a shock themselves as Armstrong scored the second in between 2 minutes, although the ball was deflected by Campagnaro and therefore given to the Italian as an owngoal. Paradise exploded and Celtic went on dominating most parts of the first half. Shortly before halftime it was Inter with their 3rd goal out of nothing. Campagnaro took advantage form a rare Gordon error and scored an easy 3rd for his team.

Celtic played on level with Inter during the second half and had chances. But Gordon was needed several times as Shaqiri stared the match with his skills and pace. Inter showed for a first time how good they can be in time wasting and diving too. Italian team are worldclass in that. It didn’t save them from conceding the equalizer after 93 minutes. Guidetti after a chip pass form Henderson volleyed home in front of my end. A fantastic goal, but it wasn’t the end. Shaqiri had a late freekick saved brilliantly by Gordon.

What a game it has been, what a night, a match to be remembered for years to come. And Celtic were left with a good chance for the away leg.

We went on drinking and partying till late. As usual. As we did on Friday too.

On Saturday Beat, Carlos and me enjoyed a trip to Edinburgh to watch Hibs taking the better of Dumbarton (3-0) and another night out in Glasgow.

Sunday is match day. So was it on that weekend. The second Celtic match for us in 4 days was a different one. It was one way traffic, but Celtic failed to score the first goal against Hamilton in the first half. Rain and wind showed us what cold and wet means, even sitting underneath the stadium roof. But we didn’t care as Celtic went on to score 4 in the second half and handing Beat a good bit of money thanks to a tip for a 4+ win from Celtic.

After the game we went back to Edinburgh and enjoyed the night there, although it was just for food and a shooooort sightseeing trip (we saw the Edinburgh castle and ladbrooker…).

The morning was all about getting home and getting back to normal life for at least 3 days.

 

On Wednesday morning I got up early again, it was time for my 3rd Celtic match in 8 days. By train I went to Bern where the other members awaited me in the train to Milano. The journey was lovely. Beautiful landscapes and nice people around me, just fantastic.

Arrived in Milan at around 11 we took the metro to Duomo square and searched our hotels. First fans already started covering the square. After check-in we directly headed to the square and placed our banners on the floor. Friends from all over the world came to say hi and we enjoyed quite a few beers. And some even a good bottle (or 2..) of red wine in a restaurant.

At around 5 we left Duomo Square and by metro we arrived near the stadium. The police wanted us to board busses but thankfully they hadn’t enough so we walked to the stadium, entered the away end without having tickets for that end (yes, we were surprised as well when the entrance turned green when scanning the tickets). Martin, Brian and Paddy already did place our banners in the first row so we found them easily. First row seats in the away end of Meazza? Not too bad…

The atmosphere was fantastic and the Celtic fans did make the team proud. And so did the team the travelled supporters. They played with passion and heart. Inter played on level, although Mackay-Stevens had the best chance till around 35 minutes were played. Then the dreadful ref showed a second yellow to VvD and it was a very very harsh one. Celtic tried their best, fighted, fired up by the fans, played great football and even created some good attacking moments. Gordon showed that he is one of the best keepers and saved the team 3-4 times from a 0-1. The ref went on showing yellow after yellow to Celtic, while the dives and tactical fouls from Inter mainly stayed ignored by the Slovakian Ref. He even showed Gordon a yellow for time wasting.. yes, time wasting from our goal keeper when we needed at least one goal.. while the Italian needed 2 minutes to sub 2 players. While they took every chance to fall, to complain and to asking for yellows for Celtic players. Inter players got 2 yellows in all the game. Guarin settled the game with his beautiful shot in the right hand corner from Gordon after 88 minutes. Seeing their superiority with 14 to 10 men it was a deserved win….

The fans went on partying and celebrating our team, even singing YNWA some minutes after full time and the Meazza fans waited outside to applaud us. Some fans swapped scarves, as i did. Their supporters generally showed class and fairplay. I want to wish their team good luck for the next rounds and the season, but i also hope that they stop their diving and complaining, as this is not a fair behaviour. Anyway, it is not the fans’ fault, so good luck to them!

After the match we walked away in direction of a metro station and ended up for a “Pete-Stop” at a mobile snack bar. After 2 hours we went on and in the city centre we eat good pizzas and drank wine / beer (again).

The next day we did a bit of “cultural CSC” and did a small sightseeing tour to the Duomo. Some even went upstairs with the elevator. After that we went for O’Connoll Pub and enjoyed a great afternoon with other Celtic supporters.

In the evening we took the train Bern and enjoyed our own mini bar.

On this point I want to thanks all my friends and all the Celtic Family. Special thanks to all my swiss and scottish friends who travelled with me and made me enjoying my trips to Glasgow and Milan. As well thanks to all the new and old faces I / we met on tour! Three Celtic matches in 8 days, something i will never forget!

Hail, Hail!

StevieBhoy