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Season opening hike

This year the hike is organised by Hene. Thank you very much. We’ll walkig from Langenthal to the Irish Pub in Herzogenbuchsee, wehre we’ll watch the game against Livingston. 

When: 04.08.2018

Where: Bern, 11.20h Meeting Point @ the main station in Bern or 12.10h @ the Train Station in Langenthal.

If you have any questions, send an email to info@celticfc.ch

THANK YOU STEPH!

For four years, CSC Switzerland had the pleasure and the honour to have Stephanie on our board! Since the start of the refounding of our club she was a vital part of our team and the good heart of the club and a fantastic treasurer! Steph will still be a part of CSCS as a member, but as she is opening a new chapter in her private life and will even leave Switzerland for a while, she will not be able to work for the board. We would like to thank you very, very much Steph! Thanks for your work and dedication and we wish you all the very best in future! Hail, Hail!

Newsletter 1/2018

Dear members,

It’s time for our newest newsletter! As you will find out, we have a new column which let’s all members write about their trips with Celtic. Are you interested to share your story with us all? Contact one of our board members. We as well can help you out with translation, ect.

Hail, Hail and see you all at the GM on 28th April. Further info about the GM you can find here.

Küse, Heinz, André, Steph, Steven

CSC Switzerland board

 

(Click on the Newsletter pages to open them in big size)

 

CSC Switzerland donates to Christmas appeal

On tuesday we donated money to Swiss Christmas appeal «Jeder Rappen zählt» – and Swiss Radio SRF 3 played Just can’t get enough as a wee thank you. Here you can listen to the last seconds of it, including the comment from the Radio presenter Fabio Nay. Hail, Hail!

We were having a party in the Champions League

Roughly 300km was the ride in the green bus, that took us to the promised beer land. Weissbier, Brezn and Weisswurst was up for the next few days – and one hell of a party! Celtic was about to play their 3rd group stage match in Munich, which is a very short ride for us Fondue Fenians to see the mighty Hoops play. Obviously, a few of us got some days off at work and were up to enjoy one of the best away trips ever – at least for me, Stevie, it was a highly enjoyable one.

Supply on the road – last NOT Weissbier seen for 2 days.

Arriving in Munich on Tuesday afternoon, it was all about getting started easily. And getting the tickets sorted. In the evening, we enjoyed the concerts of Glasnevin and Co at the “Backstage” München.

I didn’t count the amount of Weissbier we enjoyed throughout the trip, but I am sure all Celtic fans together drank more than most Oktoberfest visitors over several days. On match day, Marienplatz, the main square in Munich, was covered in in Green & White and bottles. – And flags.

 

Our wee flag on show on Marienplatz.
Marienplatz covered with tims.

Then, it was time to leave Marienplatz behind us and go to the stadium. The subway trains were crowded with a mix of both groups of fans and the Celtic fans were having a party (again!) in the U-Bahn – probably a bit too much, as the train couldn’t move for 20 minutes. But as friendly as we are, we shared beers with strangers, gave them our scarves and badges and won new friends, even an old Munich fan, who said he had never seen something like the Hoops fans before in his life. He left for the stadium with a bright smile and saying he will be a Celtic fan from this day on – mission accomplished. 🙂

The Allianz Arena is stunning! When you leave the subway you need to walk 1km+ and the red enlighted stadium gets closer and closer. The tension rises with every meter you get closer. Entering the stadium (built by Herzog & De Meuron, Swiss architects, btw.) you will be left stunned. It’s huge and well organized (yes, we are in Germany). Because of the problems in the subway we got there late, missed kick-off by some minutes, so the fans were already in full voice, so we joined in.

 

The Allianz Arena from outside.
Stunning – ‘nough said!
The away section.

Celtic lost 0-3, which, in my eyes, wasn’t too bad and better than expected before the match. We should have scored though. But all in all it was a good performance, with some bad minutes in the first half and good ones in the second. The atmosphere in the away section was great. And with Celtic’s good second half performance it got even better. Dancing, singing – having a party in the Champions League!

After the match, we were allowed to leave the stadium immediately – which is unusual! Outside, the atmosphere was friendly and on the subway back into the city centre the party continued. Well, not only in the subway…

In the metro station Marienplatz after the match – Grace being belted out in full voice.

 

It was a wonderful trip to a beautiful city. We met many old friends, but many new ones as well. Thanks very much to all who made it a brilliant trip for the Fondue Fenians!! See yous on tour!

Hail, Hail!

BTW: The bus trip home was a very silent one.. 🙂

 

Some kind words The Celtic blog wrote about us and the Celticfans:

“Today I met some of the most amazing people ever, including the Bhoys of Switzerland.

I am going to tell you some stories about them, and their passion for our club, tomorrow or the day after.

They are inspirational.

All of these supporters are. The collection of tales about how fans got here and the lengths some of them went to – phenomenal.

And you know what? Whatever happens in the game, our club is world class because these guys are world class.

Never been so proud to be a Celtic fan, I mean it.

It’ll be time to go to the game shortly; the result is now the least important thing about the trip.

This is my first European away match.

It will not be my last.

In terms of feeding the soul, as it were, this trip has been off the scale.

What a club we are.”

James Forrest – author the Celtic blog

Read more: here

Here another blog with our flag in centre spotlight

 

Season Opening Hike – Report

We had a lovely day on our season opening hike 2017 in beautiful Central Switzerland. 6 members met in Luzern at the train station at 9am (yes, early start…) and 2 more joined us in Küssnacht am Rigi (sounds a wee bit like Killie, that’s why we did chose it… aye, Heinz was drunk that day…). There we made a short hike to the Hohle Gasse, where Wilhelm Tell shot Vogt Gessler (history lesson can be taken further down on this blog). Back to the village of Küssnacht we boarded on the MS Titlis and did enjoy an hour on lake Vierwaldstätter (for Heinz: Lake Lucerne).

Arrived back in Luzern we went to the Shamrock Pub and set everything up for the Kilmarnock-Celtic match. The match itself wasn’t the best in history, but the focus was set on having a great time together anyway – which was loads of fun.

Here some of the impressions of our Season Opening Hike 2017:

The legend of William Tell
At a time soon after the opening of the Gotthard Pass, when the Habsburg emperors of Vienna sought to control Uri and thus control trans-Alpine trade, a new bailiff, Hermann Gessler, was despatched to Altdorf. The proud mountain folk of Uri had already joined with their Schwyzer and Nidwaldner neighbours at Rütli in pledging to resist the Austrians’ cruel oppression, and when Gessler raised a pole in the central square of Altdorf and perched his hat on the top, commanding all who passed before it to bow in respect, it was the last straw. William Tell, a countryman from nearby Bürglen, either hadn’t heard about Gessler’s command or chose to ignore it; whichever, he walked past the hat without bowing. Gessler seized Tell, who was well known as a marksman, and set him a challenge. He ordered him to shoot an apple off his son’s head with his crossbow; if Tell was successful, he would be released, but if he failed or refused, both he and his son would die.
The boy’s hands were tied. Tell put one arrow in his quiver and another in his crossbow, took aim, and shot the apple clean off his son’s head. Gessler was impressed and infuriated – and then asked what the second arrow was for. Tell looked the tyrant in the eye and replied that if the first arrow had struck the child, the second would have been for Gessler. For such impertinence, Tell was arrested and sentenced to lifelong imprisonment in the dungeons of Gessler’s castle at Küssnacht, northeast of Luzern. During the long boat journey a violent storm arose on the lake, and the oarsmen – unfamiliar with the lake – begged with Gessler to release Tell so that he could steer them to safety. Gessler acceded, and Tell cannily manoeuvred the boat close to the shore, then leapt to freedom, landing on a flat rock (the Tellsplatte) and simultaneously pushing the boat back into the stormy waters.
Determined to see his task through and use the second arrow, Tell hurried to Küssnacht. As Gessler and his party walked along on a dark lane called Hohlegasse on their way to the castle, Tell leapt out, shot a bolt into the tyrant’s heart and melted back into the woods to return to Uri. His comrades were inspired by Tell’s act of bravery to throw off the yoke of Habsburg oppression in their homeland, and to remain forever free.Do you want to know more about it? Here you will find the whole Saga.

Season Opening Hike 2017

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, 19th August 2017, Season “opening” hike

  • Meeting point: 9:00 am Lucerne main station, track 9
  • Train leaving 9:06 (S3, direction Brunnen), arrival 9:25 in Küssnacht am Rigi (second possibility to meet)
  • Short hike (about 1 hour) from Küssnacht train station via Hohle Gasse and the ruins of the castle of Gessler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell) to the ship station in Küssnacht
  • Ship leaving 10:55, arrival in Lucerne 11:53
  • Walk to the Shamrock Irish Pub, Lucerne (http://www.shamrock-luzern.ch/)
  • Decorating the pub and getting yourselves prepared for the game vs. Kilmarnacht (Küssnock), kick-off: 13:30

Costs: CHF 27.- for the ship (1/2-Tax/GA are fully valid) + CHF 8.60 for the train Lucerne – Küssnacht (full price) + any ticket to/from Lucerne. For members living in Switzerland: Check the availability of Tages-GA Gemeinde (normally CHF 51.–) at your communal administration. For non-Swiss members interested: please contact Hene, so that we can take care of this issue and get you a daily ticket.

DON’T MISS THIS EVENT! Please let us know, if you’re joining us, so that we can bring enough (cooled) provisions for the hike (it will be hot, the doctors say, you need to drink enough, when it’s hot… 😉 ). You can do this by text/WhatsApp to Hene or any other board member, mail, online on our Facebook page/group, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media platform we’re on, letter, carrier pigeon or smoke signals etc. But best would be the first three possibilities. 😉

NAFCSC Celtic Convention Las Vegas 2017

From the 4th until the 11th of June, the North American Celtic Supporters Federation (NAFCSC) organised a convention for all Celtic Supporters from all over the world. CSC Switzerland was represented by president Markus, vice-president Heinz, the members Lenny and Fanny and the non-members (but girlfriends of Hene and Lenny) Daniela and Tina. After a wee 2-weeks-trip around California (see pics), we arrived at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, one block off the Strip, on the 4th of June, while the weather was not quite Scottish (sunny, completely dry and 40°C)…

Around 4.000 Celtic fans stayed in the 3.261 rooms of the hotel, and at the “International Bar” there were never less than around 30 Tims (24 hours a day!). Therefore, the Pool Party on Tuesday got really (really!) crowded, as you can imagine. At times, you couldn’t even see the water in the pool and the hotel staff was just not able to keeping up the beer and ice supply for bars in the pool area… Nevertheless, probably almost nobody kept sober. The NAFCSC had one hut at the pool set up as stage for music, so that we could celebrate our Celtic music heritage. Even hotel staff learned a few songs! J It was just incredible! By the way: The water in the pool got never dark blue (as in the film “Grown Ups”), but was probably around 50% beer at the end of the party…

On Thursday, we went to watch the documentary film “Anyone but Celtic” by Paul Larkin. The opinions about the film within the present members are still not agreed. In the evening, the Green Night took place. We re-met a couple of old and some new friends, which was very nice, as always. Brian Warfield and the Young Wolfetones did a great job on the stage and all the crowd was singing, drinking, celebrating and enjoying themselves. What a night!

We left out the Golf Day, as no one of us plays golf, the Cabaret Night (both on Wednesday; instead, we took a trip to the incredibly impressive Grand Canyon), the Gala Dinner Dance on Friday (which was quite formal) and also the Pub Night on Saturday, as we had our 11-hour-flight back home on Sunday night and had to get our stuff packed and get some rest. After three weeks in a beautiful country with generally nice people (nevertheless, Trump is still a cunt), we were back in Switzerland on Monday afternoon. It was an impressive trip and we will be telling stories about it for a long time. And we do strongly recommend a visit at the NAFCSC convention to every Celtic fan. The convention next year will be held in Toronto, it was said.

Pictures from road trip

 

Lots of fun and new friends at Letzi Cup 2017

CSC Switzerland for the first time ever took part in a fanclub tournament. Letzi Cup 2017 this year took part for the 38th time. We enjoyed our time in Zurich very much, the tournament was very well organized, the teams played fair and there was even time & space for friendship photos and giving handicapped players the chance to play alongside their team mates.

CSCS became 10th out of 16 teams. We started well, won 2 out of 2 and by noon had won 3 out of 5 matches. Sadly we ate too much and then lost the next 3 group matches.

Playing another two matches for the end ranking we won the first clearly (3-0), but then lost 1-2 end missed out on place 9.

A special thank goes to Paddy McGuire who specially travelled over from Liverpool to play with us!

We look forward to the 2018 version! Hail, Hail!

 

38rd Letzi Cup – Fanclub tournament with CSC Switzerland

Hi folks!

We have great news! With the help of Paddy, who joins us from oversea, we completed a team for the Letzi Cup to compete for the famous fanclub cup! 

If you want to join our team, write to Stevie. But what we still need is a big group of supporters! So join us for a lovely day and support the CSCS for the first time in football action! 

Sportplatz Juchhof II, Zürich

8 am – 5 pm

The following supporters clubs take part:

  • VfB Stuttgart Fanclub Mondgucker
  • VfB Stuttgart Fanclub RWS Berkheim
  • Hertha BSC Berlin Freunde Berlin Süd
  • FC. Winterthur Fanatics 2008
  • SC. Kriens Supporters
  • FC. Bayern München Fanclub Zürich
  • Arsenal FC Fanclub Switzerland
  • FC. Zürich Fanclub Tigers
  • FC. Zürich Fanclub Letzi
  • Inter Club Zofingen
  • FC. Basel Fanclub Basilisk
  • FC. Zürich Team Immerblau
  • FC. Zürich Team Füürloie
  • Celtic Supporters Club Switzerland
  • FC. Wil Fanclub Sektor D
  • FC. Wil Fanclub Black Bears
  • BVB Dortmund Swiss Crew
  • GC Fanclub Eastboys

All info on their official website: http://www.fanclubletzi.ch/

Hail, Hail!

 

 

Celtic vs. “Them” – 12th March at McArthurs Thun

We will be watching the game versus the zombies (k.o. 13:00 CET) in McArthur’s Pub Thun this time.

Thanks to Tony, we will pay only CHF 5.– for every pint between 12:00 and 13:00.

The pub will be open from 11:30.

Join us there, as it might even be the champions decider! If not, it will at least most probably be the last nail in their coffin (only in their hopes for the title!)…

 

General Meeting 2017

The annual general meeting will take place on Saturday, 8th of april at Aareheim, Langmauerweg 11, Bern! It’d be great to see as many of you guys as possible! We will publish further info in the next week! Hail, Hail!

Programm:

  • 13:30 arrival
  • 14:00 GM
  • 16:00 Celtic vs. Kilmarnock live on Celtic TV

Will you take part? Send your yes/no to marcus(at)celticfc.ch till the 3rd of April. Thanks & HH

Newsletter 2/2016

Hail, Hail dear member!

Our second season together is over and it was a sheer pleasure to share this experience with you. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did and that you are ready to spend the next one in our company.
As you may know if you were present at the AGM last May, some changes occurred in our internal structure: committee member Beat Glarner left us while André Bomatter and Robert France joined the board. Our tasks have been rearranged as follow:

  • Markus: President and tickets manager
  • Heinz: Vice-president and trips / journeys coordinator
  • Steph: Finances and merchandising
  • André: Secretary / Actuary and legal advisor
  • Stevie: IT / communication / social media
  • Rob: Technical support / Mechanics of the web

the new committee thanks you for your trust and is really looking forward to working together to accompany you throughout next season and to offer you some fantastic moments. And what a season it’s going to be! 2016/2017 will be at the CSC Switzerland better and more active than last year: for example, we are planning to deliver you an Online Shop with new merchandising items (yes, really); a few trips abroad for the Champions League games; many events in Switzerland; some trips to Scotland (of course!) and even a trip to Las Vegas next June! The first highlight is going to be the “Season opening weekend” on the 6th-7th August though (see flyer). We will of course keep you informed about each project throughout the year.
One thing is already done and secure: we’ve just renewed our two CSC Switzerland’s season tickets at Celtic Park! That’s the guarantee to offer you unforgettable moments in Glasgow. Due to the return of the Rangers in the Premiership, the demand for the Old Firms is going to be very important and to avoid fights between us and unfair treatments we are introducing new season tickets regulations. Please read them and contact us if you have any question.
Do you fancy another season in our company and take advantage of our club? Then you must know that each CSC Switzerland’s member has to pay an annual fee (this was decided at the AGM and is written in our statutes). This fee allows us to buy the season tickets and to cover our various administrative costs during the year. The amount to pay depends of the chosen member category as follow:

Jimmy Johnstone (active, priority for tickets) CHF 50
Henrik Larsson (active) CHF 30
Neil Lennon (passive) CHF 20
Mini-hoops (for children U-16) free

A payment slip is enclosed and the annual fee is to be paid before the 5th August. Thank you very much for paying on time and for your further support. Feel free to contact us if you have any enquiries at info@celticfc.ch.

If you want to attend the first Old Firm game next September at Celtic Park, please inform us until the 31.07.2016 at marcus@celticfc.ch or 079 770 44 81. Only register if you seriously plan to go to the match. The tickets will be allocated as described in the new Tickets Rules inclosed.

We wish you a fantastic Celtic season, a lovely summer and fun watching the Euros.

Cheers,
CSC Switzerland’s committee

Appendix:

 

 

Can you spot parts of Celtic’s football history on this picture?

Just found this on web. Who can spot everything Celtic related? It’s tricky to find all the artist built in.. 😉  Solution on the bottom of the page, but don’t cheat!football_mishmash_by_roundheadillustrates-d6h3nhn

 

You can buy this amazing art work of football history online on: http://www.footballmishmash.com/

 

spoiler-alert

SOLUTION (SPOILER ALERT):
 
• ‘Welcome to Paradise’ – Celtic fans
• Celtic players do their pre-match ‘huddle’ (1995 onwards)
• Henrik Larsson of Celtic (1997-04)
• Rod Stewart crys with joy as Celtic beat Barcelona (2012)
• Phil O’Donnell Flag tribute at Parkhead (2007)
• Billy McNeill of Celtic lifts the European Cup (1967)
• Robbie Keane doing his trade mark celebration in the Hoops

Steph on TV

Last 20th November our board member Steph had been seen on TVs all around Switzerland – okay.. on the Romandie!

Anyway, she was portrayed by the RTS and thank to our club soul Steph the CSC Switzerland came under the spotlight along with her and got a nice advertising by the Swiss french TV.

 

If you want to see the whole broadcast, then check it out on the rts.ch website. Search for «Au-dessus de la mêlée». Otherwise you’ll soon find the link and a short part of it on our website! Great piece of TV, Steph!

 

 

Newsletter 3/2015

Here it is, our third and last newsletter of 2015! Enjoy the reading! Hoopy Christmas and a Hoopy New Year from all at CSC Switzerland! Hail,Hail!

 

 

Newsletter_3_2015_1 Newsletter_3_2015_2

[button] Link text[/button] [box] Here we go – The links to Stephs post (http://www.celticfc.ch/steph-on-tv/) AND Celtic Highlight pages: https://www.facebook.com/CelticHighlights/ & https://twitter.com/CelticHighlight[/box]

Glasgow November 2015

A bunch of CSCS-members went to Glasgow for the game against Kilmarnock.
Many of them travelled on their own or had already been in Edinburgh / Glasgow the day before. Finally, we all gathered at Babbity’s where we met many other friends. In the end we were about 15 persons (Swiss, Spanish, Basque, Scottish, Irish, Japanese). After a quiet Friday, we met our honorary member Martin and we handed him a wee present over – a fondue set, with a personalized steel sheet.
The same set was made for Brian as well. Unfortunately he couldn’t join us this time, because of his health condition.

Afterwards we headed off to Paradise and watched a poor 0:0. The Bhoys were not able to score any goal. But all in all it was a cozy afternoon @ Celtic Park.

After the game and a few beers at Kerrydale Suite, we moved on to the highlight of the night: The Wolfetones concert @ Barrowlands. The venue was sold out and it was good craic!

On Sunday some flew back to Switzerland, others relaxed, and a few did a stadium tour.

It was a fantastic weekend with fantastic people in a fantastic city! We will organize another trip like this in the next months. So please keep yourself informed!

Marcus – president CSCS

“Oh Molde in the rain..”

Early morning on the 21st October we started from Zurich with Helvetic Airways to Oslo. While some of us preferred to sleep, some played cards. Arrived in Oslo we were surprised by beautiful rainy and windy weather. Therefore, our traditional “Cultural Celtic Supporters Day” was shortened to seeing a bit of Oslo, like the Kings house and the harbour. After that we were soaked and decided to get a first pint. Surprise, the pints were more expensive than in Switzerland. For us a totally new experience.

We went on to pick up our friends Pat and Jill at the station and drinking some pints at Olso Sports Bar, where the local Celtic fans uusally meet up. And ended the day in The Dubliners Pub with loads of Tims and quite good live Irish music.

Early in the morning we travelled to Oslo airport and then to Molde. What a beautiful view we got over the incredible landscapes of Molde from the airplane! In between of 10 minutes two airplanes full of Celtic fans arrived and tried to get all in one bus.. well logically this didn’t work and some had to wait. In Molde town everything was still closed except 1-2 restaurants. So we headed for breakfast and beer.

From 2 onwards the pubs opened and matchday atmosphere spread more and more. The Celtic fans mostly enjoyed the 1910 Puben, the local Molde fans pub.  We had a great time (http://tiny.cc/fodj5x) and at some point Ronny even walked the 3 min way from the Stadium to the Hotel. The fans quickly realized and the pub was empty in between of 30 seconds. Ronny took his time to take some pictures and have a chat.

Some hours ago after we got a small stadium tour by ourselves (we asked one Steward if we can enter and have a look around) I ran back to the stadium as I heard that the Celtic team is doing a round at the harbour at the stadium. I met Broony, Gordon and Fasan. The Captain replied to my “Can I please have a picture with yous, I travelled over from Switzerland to see the Hoops playing.” With “have you been jogging here from Switzerland, eh?!” doing a typical broony-banter. Gratefully they took me some pictures too.

It was time for the match. Of course it was pouring down again, especially for the game. We went early and they wouldn’t let us in with the banners and although they took us out of the rain and placed the Celtic fans with no away tickets all together in the balcony, they split the fans in two groups. We couldn’t hear each other sing. It was a pitty, just like the game. Celtic played dreadful. Molde only played counter football, but at least with skill and passion. The home support was stunned by the Celtic fans, but after the first goal started singing too. The Molde fans were very nice with us, as well as the club stewards.

I better stop talking about the game at this point, but all in all it was a normal Celtic European away game – horrific.

After some pints in the hotel lobby and dried cloths the mood got back and we all enjoyed some good hours talking with fellow Celts and some Molde fans. Some even gave us their scarves and blankets (?). Great people. Thanks for the good time 🙂

The next morning we’ve been surprised by our friend Gary Patrick Mullen, who replayed the “Commons incident” in a genius way and placed in on Facebook. I shared it on our page and it went totally viral.

A good and funny end to an amazing trip in a beautiful country! I will be back to Norway, no question. With or without Celtic, but surely prideful wearing the Hoops.

Hail, Hail!

Stevie

Eibar SD – Celtic, 19.07.2015

Fanny and Küsä were heading off to Eibar (Basque-Country, Spain) for the friendly game on the weekend of july 18th. It was Eibar SD’s 75 birthday. We met there many of our friends from Spain and Martin & Gill from Scotland. A big thankyou to Maureen, who organized nearly everything!

1

We arrived on Friday and after a speed-bar-crowl (7 or 8 bars in one hour) we finally settle down in a nice bar where we have good talks with old and new friends.

Weather was fantastic, beer cold  (for 5 minutes), and it was a pleasure to take part at the festivities on the main place, where we were letting our flag fly. Rebels and Celtic songs habe been played and we could watch bit of the basque-style of the “Highland-Games”.

2

The game wasn’t that bad and Celtic comfortably won 4:1. Ambrose and Griffiths (with a hattrick) were the Celtic goal scorers. Bailly saved a penalty aswell. After the game we had a fantastic time in the city center with Celtic supporters and members of the Eibar supporters club which is named “ESKOZIA LA BRAVA” (Scotland the brave). Could not have matched better!

3

On Sunday, Gonso guided us to different spots at the Basque-coast. We finally ended up in Hondarribia (next to the French boarder / San Sebastian-Airport). Very nice village and the right place to relax, before we were flying back the next day to Basel.

4

It was another fantastic trip, with many stories to tell! Looking forward to the next trips!

Eskerrik asko & Agur

Fanny & Küsä

 

The Inter week

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