YESTERDAY was a very special day at a sunny Celtic Park. In what was an entertaining match Celtic came through, after a spirited fightback by Aberdeen, to win the match by 3-2 thus making Celtic’s 5 in a row official.
Of course we all knew it was over bar the formalities after the 3-1 win at Tynecastle the week before but it was wonderful nevertheless to put 5 in a row to bed and celebrate an achievement not seem at Celtic Park since the early 1970s when Jock Stein was our manager.
CELTIC GRAVES SOCIETY
The day kicked off when the wonderful Celtic Graves Society unveiled their plaque to commemorate the site of the original stadium which was built after the club was formed in 1887.
This lovely plaque was unveiled yesterday morning in a ceremony attended by Lisbon Lion Jim Craig, Celtic legend Paul McStay, whose family is steeped in Celtic’s history and Celtic historian Terry Dick.
You can read more about the building of the original Celtic Park in Brendan Sweeney’s brilliant book Celtic The Early Years (available HERE from CQN Bookstore). Brendan is also a committee member on Celtic Graves Society.
Briefly, it was a volunteer workforce who built the stadium on the north east junction of Springfield Road and London Road.
It took just six months to build the original Celtic Park and the club played their first match at the stadium on May 28, 1888 against Old Firm rivals Rangers, which Celtic won by 5-2.
SUPPORT FOR THE HILLSBOROUGH FAMILIES
After a visit to the very busy CQN Corner, where things wrapped up a little quicker than usual, it was time to head into the ground. Celtic had asked the support to get into their seats by 12.15pm, some 15 minutes before kick-off as the club wished to pay tribute to the Liverpool families who recently achieved justice for the 96 at the specially convened court in Warrington. 
Celtic had staged an emotional match in April 1989 which allowed a grieving city and a distraught football club to begin the healing process. Little did anyone who attended that match in 1989 think that it would take 27 years for the families of the 96 to find justice.
Celtic and Liverpool share a song but after Hillsborough they have shared much more. The Celtic family has offered support every step of the way to make sure that Liverpool has never had to walk alone.
CQN had two regulars carrying the banner around Celtic Park yesterday – Hamilton Tim and Giggsy. The reception was wonderful and there were very few dry eyes in the crowd as they made their way around Celtic Park as the support sang You’ll Never Walk Alone.
It has to be noted that the Aberdeen supporters joined in on the applause so credit to them for that.
OUR INVINCIBLE BHOYS!
At half time Celtic’s Development Squad, who last week completed their league programme without losing a single match, were presented to the crowd and awarded their League winning trophy. This just added to what was a Perfect Day in Paradise!
BIRTHDAY BHOYS!
We even had a birthday to celebrate as the Green Brigade, who do so much to add atmosphere to Celtic Park, celebrated their Tenth Birthday in style. After a silent protest against Ross County, they returned to their noisiest best on Sunday. Here’s to the next ten years Bhoys!
5 IN A ROW CHAMPIONS!
Celtic of course won the match and the league championship for the 5th season in a row as we reached the halfway point in the quest for Ten in a Row.
Afterwards there were some great scenes and here are some of the highlights for you to enjoy.
