Scottish Football Journey

Celtic Park, Celtic 

I don't consider myself a diehard Aberdeen fan. But because I am doing this website, I wanted to go to Parkhead to see the Celtic v Aberdeen game in the SPL. Neil Lennon's team have had a great start to the season and have won every game except the Old Firm derby, which they lost 3-1 to Rangers. Mark Mcghee's men have had a poor start to the season and were looking to put in a really good performance to show signs of promise to the fans. However, Mark Mcghee's men were in for a shock and quite frankly, an embarrassing show for the Aberdeen fans.

My day started at Asda, Portlethen. I got some chocolate for the train down to Glasgow from Stonehaven. Caramel Nibbles are very good indeed. Definitely a good snack for a journey. On the way down, there were no spare 2 seats together, so I sat on my own on the seat next to the train doors, which wasn't too bad I guess. It would have helped if I brought my ipod.

When the train reached Glasgow Queen Street, there was a bus waiting outside which would take us to Central Station and from there we would get the train to Bridgeton. A friendly Celtic fan was kind enough to take us to Parkhead Stadium and when I first saw it, it looked small on the outside, but when I got inside, WOW it was huge. The seats we had been allocated were behind the large pillar holding up the South stand. This restricted our view of the game and is the only negative about Parkhead I can think of.

The Aberdeen fans were in full voice and the players were giving their all. We created 2 really good chances but Maguire failed to convert a 1 on 1 and Scott Vernon was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line. This was to be the best Aberdeen would get as a Ki Sung Yueng's shot was cleared off the line by the hands of Paul Hartley and he was then sent off. Anthony Stokes stepped up and he comfortably put Celtic 1-0 up. Not long after Gary Hooper eased Zander Diamond off the ball and slotted past Langfield in goal. 2-0 and more to come. The next goal came from Hooper again after the ball dropped to him at the near post and he blasted high into the net.

After each goal Celtic were playing a tune similar to "I Just Can't Get Enough" by The Saturdays and the Celtic fans were singing along and bouncing. They were clearly enjoying the show Celtic were giving them. Aberdeen were given hope when Rogne was sent off for a last man challenge on Maguire. But Aberdeen failed to show urgency now that the teams were level on men. Celtic got their 4th and last goal of the half as they were awarded another penalty and again, Stokes converted. 4-0 at half time and the game wasn't finished, although Aberdeen would have wanted it to. Swedish Legend and former Celtic goal scorer Henrik Larsson and English born Chris Sutton were both given a huge reception as they were welcomed on the pitch to do the half time competition draw. The Celtic fans were making a really good atmosphere and I was enjoying it, despite the score line.

It wasn't long until Celtic got their 5th goal, Aberdeen substitute Josh Magennis headed the ball into his own net and 2 minutes later, Gary Hooper headed in a cross from the right for Celtic's 6th. A tame Joe Ledley through ball pass evaded everyone and went into the bottom left corner. Just before I left to catch the train back to Central Station, poor concentration from Chris Maguire led to his pass going to Celtic forward Stokes and he finished to get his hat trick. I now left and heard a cheer on my way back to the station, Paddy McCourt converted a 3rd Celtic penalty and the final goal of the game. 9-0 and game completed.

This certainly was an embarrassing result for Aberdeen fans and now Mark Mcghee has tonight's game against Inverness CT to save his job. Parkhead is the biggest football stadium in Scotland and it is very impressive indeed. I believe they have planning permission to increase the South stand to level height of the other 3 and overall capacity would be 80 000. If and when Celtic do this Parkhead will be up there as one of the best stadiums in the UK, possibly even Europe.