Confirmed – Celtic will offer £1 tickets to Under 13s for next Euro match, probably v AK Alkmaar

Ange Postecoglou and Dom McKay are finding their feet as the two men essentially running Celtic, on and off the park. Today McKay will rather bizarrely, be included as a target for a group of Celtic fans protesting outside the ground ahead of kick-off on the day of the first home Scottish Premiership match of the season.

We have been featuring Charlie Gallagher’s biography – “Charlie Gallagher? What a Player” on The Celtic Star as a tribute to that great Celtic man who recently passed away. Author David Potter tells the story about his Jock Stein played mind games with Rangers in the spinning of 1968 that effectively left them empty handed and allowed Celtic to nip in to claim the title. The fortunes of one can have a major impact on the situation at the other – and we are once again seeing that playing out this week.

The defeats in Malmo and at Tannadice yesterday swings momentum towards Celtic without kicking a ball. A decent win today and Celtic can go ahead of theRangers –  not to be confused with the one Stein outfoxed – who would have predicted that a week ago? And the contrast with last season when after Celtic blinked they never did and so that caused us to collapse, this being the main reason for the protest today.

Last season’s woes should NOT be allowed to impact what is happening at Celtic now under Ange Postecoglou and Dom McKay. Both by this evening will have a much better idea of the job that they are in and be better prepared to carry it out. Both must carry the supporters and after several disappointments on the park early in the season it has to be said that the support remains 100% behind the manager.

McKay seems to have got tied up in the resentment that supporter have for the Celtic Board under Peter Lawwell leadership last season – that seems a somewhat confused position to hold, McKay should be judged on his own performance as Celtic CEO and the delay in getting the show on the road this season was down to the decisions taken under Lawwell – McKay only became CEO on 1 July.

Liel Abada

He has made mistakes – the double ballot plan has left so many supporters frustrated, feeling that the club has a tier system in place and angry that they are being asked to pay an extra £19 for their first game back when others will have had two games on their season tickets. That is down to McKay and the Celtic Ticket Office whose ears are burning, such is the supporter frustration on this matter.

One ballot – everyone gets a shot – and whether you get a friendly, a Champions League qualifier, a Europa League Qualifier, or a Premiership opener – that’s down to Lady Luck. Dividing the season ticket holders into 2/4, 1/4 and 0/4 was a big, big mistake and that is something that The Celtic Star has argued forcefully over the week or so in somewhat frank and heated conversations with Celtic.

Jablonec 2 Celtic 4 Photo/Radek Petrasek

And this morning we can tell you that the club are listening, that’s an improvement on what went on previously. This morning we can confirm that for the next European match at Celtic Park, probably against AK Alkmaar U13s will be admitted to the ground for just £1 a ticket. That will make a difference for many families with young supporters and is to be welcomed.

As for the support today, if you are lucky enough to have a ticket, get behind the team 100% and remember you are representing the rest of us who are not there so cheer twice as loud.

Three points today please Celtic.  COYBIG

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. How many kids paid £600 average last season for awful celtic tv
    CELTIC PR need to wise up and get in touch with the majority of fans
    £50 ADDIDAS VOUCHER was an embarrassing gesture