YOUNG Celtic supporter Declan McConville’s diary of our Double Treble winning season continues today with a look back at the match days in September 2017…
Friday 8 September 2017 With Scotland in World Cup qualifying action, the Hoops kicked off September with a visit to New Douglas Park. This was my first visit to the ground and I was certainly not disappointed. Celtic won the game comfortably beating the Accies 4-1 with debutant Odsonne Edouard scoring on his debut.
Tuesday 12 September 2017 It was again exciting to be back in the group stages of the Champions League. I would prefer not to say too much about this game but can only say that Celtic were taught a footballing lesson on the night. PSG tore us apart and were simply sensational!
Saturday 16 September 2017. Before the game against Ross County, I spent my morning at the brilliant Celtic AM in Malones with former Celts Willie Falconer and Frank McAvennie. Andrew’s interview with Macca was excellent on his time at Celtic which put me right in the mood for the three o’clock kick-off. It appeared that the Scottish Champions had not been dwelling on the Champions League defeat to PSG and put four goals past the Staggies.
Wednesday 20 September 2017. After a double period of Advanced Higher History, I headed straight home at lunch to get ready for a trip to Dens Park. Celtic again hit four and kept a clean, booking themselves a meeting at against Neil Lennon’s Hibernian in the Betfred Cup Semi-Final.
Saturday 23 September 2017. I was now beginning to enjoy a visit to Ibrox as Celtic had played so well there the previous season. After much talk about Caravans and barking dogs the Hoops made the short journey across Glasgow to take on the ‘best squad in Scotland.’ After a rather unimpressive first-half Celtic showed their class in the second-half with two great goals coming from Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths.
Wednesday 27 September 2017. “This is the day that we won away!”
Before the match many Celtic supporters would have gladly taken a draw. However, on the night Anderlecht were not at all impressive but Celtic took their chances and easily saw of the Champions of Belgium with a very comfortable 3-0 victory.
Saturday 30 September 2017 Celtic’s final game of September ended two goals apiece against Hibs. Brendan Rodgers made five changes to the side which won midweek in Belgium. Celtic weren’t great in the game but went one up after a great move which was finished off by Callum McGregor. Hibernian responded after the restart and went two-one up after a fantastic brace by John McGinn. Though, Hibernian’s lead didn’t even last five minutes with McGregor also bagging a brace.
A final note about the month is that the Celtic family was extremely saddened to hear of the untimely death of former player Paul Wilson on the 18 September. Wilson was part of the phenomenal Quality Street Gang coming through the ranks with Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, David Hay, George Connelly and Lou Macari to all but name a few. Wilson helped Celtic secure nine consecutive league championships in a row and was also the first player to score in each of the four cup finals in season 1974-75. Many fans will remember his brace against Airdrie in the 1975 Scottish Cup Final which was Billy McNeill’s last ever game for the club.
Paul will be fondly remembered by the Celtic support.
Declan McConville
