Closing out 2023 I thought I’d wrap up the year with my own personal favourite moments of 2023 with a three part blog on my top 3 moments of 2023. The short list pretty much picked itself. It didnt take me long to decide to celebrate 2 footballing triumphs and a trip to an iconic stadium in Dublin. So, for part 1, we go to a sunny day at Hampden in February.
Date - 26th February 2023
Venue - Hampden Park, Glasgow
February 2023 saw Celtic travel to Hampden for what the club and fans hoped would be the first leg of a domestic Treble. The league cup final had produced the showdown the sponsors , TV companies, footballing authorities and fans had wanted. Celtic were up against our city rivals and were eager to lay down a marker for the remainder if the season.
Ninety minutes later it was the fans on the East side of Hampden celebrating. A 2-1 victory didn't tell the full story of a dominant display from the Hoops. Two goals from our Japanese sensation Kyogo grabbed the headlines , but a tactical masterclass from Ange Postecoglou and his squad really showed the gulf in class between the teams on the day. The Celtic players were hungry, energetic and decisive. We capitalised on our opponents hesitance and punished their mistakes.
The result was perfect, but the standout performance that day came from the 25000 Celtic fans wedged into our national stadium. At no point in my previous 40 odd years going to see Celtic have I experienced anything like it.
The synergy amongst the Celtic support that day echoed something of a festival. Everyone and I mean everyone was united in chorus. From the Ultras sending fireworks high into the Southside sky, to those in corporate seating in the north and south stand, the atmosphere was electric.
Our opening goal came after 44 minutes. Kyogo scored a tap in from 6 yards out, the goal sparked a 15 minute chorus of jubilation that echoed around Hampden for the entirety of the halftime break.
For our team to hear that from the dressing room, it must have been inspiring, because 10 minutes into the 2nd half we had doubled our lead. Celtic were in control and even though we conceded a scrappy goal to make it 2-1, the result never seemed in doubt.
Part 1 of a Treble complete. The result was great, beating our city rivals was fantastic, but for me the fans that day showed what a unified Celtic support is all about.
