My defining Celtic moment – the Scottish Cup final of 1988

I answered. It was my Auntie Betty, she sounded excited and then she blurted out those magical words “We’ve got you a ticket, son! You can go on the Kirkintilloch bus with your Uncle Alex!” I don’t think I even said “thanks” as I put the phone down, shouted “DAD!!!!” and he got me over to Kirkintilloch from Cumbernauld, just before the bus was about to leave for Hampden.

What a ‘wummin’ my wee Auntie Betty was, an absolute gem, a real character. I loved being in her company and spending time with her, my Uncle Gerry and my cousins Gerald, Catherine and Kevin. Even to this day, I still see my Uncle Gerry and my cousins on a match day. A real Celtic family. Just like everyone else!

God bless you Auntie Betty. I’ll never forget you (or that phone call) as long as I live.

Of course, it could all have been worthless. We could’ve been beaten by United and then it would all have meant nothing. But then I wouldn’t be sitting here with tears in my eyes writing these words for publication on The Celtic Star. It wasn’t worthless, it was absolutely magical.

The bus ride over to Hampden was full of excitement. The colours were on show, the bus in full voice with the Celtic song. One of the daft things I remember is a guy getting thrown off the bus for peeing in a beer can! Once the can was full, the contents overflowed and were running up and down the aisle. Needless to say, the bus convener was not too pleased. I wonder if the guy made it to Hampden and if not, what happened to his ticket!

As the bus parked up and I’m walking down Aikenhead Road with my Uncle Alex, I felt that he was treating me as his equal, not as a kid. Alex, you see, isn’t actually that much older than me so I was doing his head in every time I called him “Uncle Alex” until he finally snapped and said “For heaven’s sake, Robert. Stop calling me Uncle Alex, you’re making me feel auld!” I’ve never called him “Uncle Alex” since. Well, only when I’m winding him up!