From the other side of the pond. American Bhoy offers us an insight on the global appeal of Celtic, and what its like to have to get up early to see a game. Without the nominal six or seven hours drinking in between, that is.
I’m a 22 year old American living in Richmond, Virginia that has a deep love for Celtic. I’ve been a supporter since I was a young child. It started when I saw clips of King Henrik Larsson scoring wonderful goals for the Bhoys and since then my love for the club has only grown. The history of the club and the immense support I saw when I watched clips on youtube of highlights and moments from over the years only increased my deep love for the club. As football, or soccer as we call it here in the United States grew, my friends and family started following clubs like Barcelona, Bayern, Manchester United and other clubs from the top leagues across Europe. I was always isolated in my love for Celtic as its not a club that many recent fans of the sport are aware of here in America. None of this deterred me from my passion for the club though, and in fact it only increased it.
As the rise of social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook came, access to more news and information about what was going on in the world of Celtic and I have come to learn much more than I previously did. Whether it was reading historical facts from the Lisbon Lions era, or more recent events such as the UEFA Cup run of 2003, every time I watched clips or learned more information, I fell deeper and deeper in love with the culture and history of the club and its supporters. As an American who’s passion has always been soccer as opposed to the popular sports of America like American Football, Baseball, and Basketball, I have been forced to use social media to talk to people about soccer instead of how others can simply talk with their mates about other sports.
Starting when I was about 16 I began to follow every move of the club and am now a subscriber to Celtic TV and watch as many matches as I can given the fact that the games are sometimes played at 7:00 AM local time here in Virginia. I have fond memories of waking up early, pulling out my computer and watching to Bhoys go to work. The support I have seen in the stands from the fans and the passion with which the players go about playing the game amazes me every time. I support sports teams here in the USA, but the passion I see from Celtic supporters and players is 100x as intense as anything I have ever seen from an American sports team. I often try to express to my friends how much the supporters of Celtic care about the club, but it is really quite difficult as the only way to get them to understand is to make them watch a match with me. The first time I got a group of friends to watch a match with me turned out to be the most incredible match I have witnessed in my young life. It was the 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Champions League group stage of the 2012. The moment that Tony Watt scored the seconds goal had me jumping through the roof and when I turned to look at my friends, I finally could see that they understood for the first time how much the club meant to me and how much it meant to every supporter of Celtic across the world, and I think from then on, it changed their view of the sport and the club forever.
I have seen Celtic play in person on two occasions. The first was in Boston, Massachusetts at Fenway Park where Celtic won the match 2-1 with Georgios Samaras scoring the winning penalty kick. The second time was while I was on a trip to Scotland in 2013. I took a tour of the stadium and saw the dressing rooms, walked out of the tunnel, and got to sit on the benches in the same spot as the players, which was a sublime experience for me. Later that day I went to see the Bhoys take on Elfsborg in a Champions League qualifier where we won 1-0 on a Kris Commons header late in the second half. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life and I hope to be able to experience it again as many times as possible over the course of my life.
It has been quite the season with the bhoys going 27 games in a row unbeaten.
Quite the accomplishment as they march on the road to another title. Not only are they securing another title but they are doing it in some style. Going into the game against Hearts on Sunday, confidence was certainly high which was important, but the play on the field was what I had hoped to see from the players given the circumstances surrounding the game. Finally securing the record was a big step for these players and for fans, as it shows a huge improvement from last year. Whether it be the record, the prospect of winning the domestic treble this year, or the development of some of the squad members under Rodgers this season, there has been a lot to be excited about.
A lot of the players have had resurgent seasons this year, from Stuart Armstrong to Jozo Simunovic, many players in the squad have shown their importance. Today I thought the two players that looked the most sharp were Gamboa and Bitton. Gamboa looked lively up the ride side of the field all game and really showed that he has advanced as a player. He had great runs all game and really showed that he can play the right back spot very efficiently. Nir Bitton also played one of his best games in a Celtic kit in my opinion. He ran the midfield well, looked like he was up for every challenge, and slowed the movement of the opposition so that they found it hard to get to our defense, much less all the way to the keeper. The third player I was excited about was Tierney. With him having been injured for a fair portion of the season, it was nice to see him swinging in crosses with the accuracy that he used to, and his timing on his tackles was perfect. I was impressed with the whole squad’s performance, but particularly impressed with the performance of these three specifically.
Obviously a lot goes in to breaking a record of this magnitude, and you must know a certain amount of history to fully understand it. To break a record set by the side that went on to win the European championship is incredibly impressive. There is not much to talk about in terms of how big of an achievement that is, but it is important for me to note that even though I am not in Scotland and have been exposed to Celtic in different situations then most of you overseas, the importance and history of this accomplishment is not lost on me.
When I think of the difficulties of being a supporter overseas, I think about waking up at early hours to watch matches, or having to search harder for news and information than those of you across the pond, but once you are in the moment and watching the game, you remember why you do it. I also understand that in order for some fans in certain parts of Scotland and England to get to the games they must wake up at early hours to get prepared, so I want to thank all the fans that were at Celtic Park for making it such a welcoming and fun atmosphere as you watched the win today.
Safe travels to everyone going home and hope you all enjoyed the game,
Nice piece that an great insight into how our Club manages to reach areas in the World so far away.
More than just a Football Club.
We don’t ‘DIE’ we multiply. HH
Family…..
Crackin piece American Bhoy….I’ve seen the hoops here in The Basque Country,Scott Brown gave my son his armband after the match with Eibar……a memory that will never fade for both of us.Hail Hail.
What a lovely piece from our American Bhoy
Good to read. I am in Western Australia and we get the lunch time games at 8pm which is good but the evening games are on At 3 or 3.30 am.
So glad I have a pay TV recorder. In the 80s and nineties we only ever got to see the Scottish cup final on TV. So had to settle on listening to the games on the radio and then going to the Celtic supporters club to watch the game many weeks after the event.
I have seen Celtic live here in Perth during the Neil Lennon era and twice at Easter Road when I was a Kid in 1985/86 as my cousin was a Hibs fan and Took me to their home games.
I have Celtic tattoos and collect a lot of signed memorabilia and probably have close to every Celtic home and away strip released in the past 30 years.
My mood rises and falls with this club and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Hail. Hail
Stew, I’m in Perth for the next huns game, what pub would yi Recommend watching the gemm? Ah emailed “Rosie O’Grady”pub but never got a reply, their site said it was for ‘members only’ to watch Celtic.
Anyhooo nice wee article from American Bhoy.
MON THE HOOPS !!!!!!
So….you are a member!!
Hi Brian.
Rosie o gradies will let you in if they are not full but I prefer the winners bar at the casino. Might pay to check they are showing the game though as due to the new TV rights restricting English games, they may be showing Epl. The Irish club in Subiaco used to show every game too and may be worth giving a call.
I am down in the south West so a bit out of the loop.
Cheers Stew. I’ll let yi know how it goes. I’ll be doon in Woodanilling for aboot a week but got ‘time off’ fae the outlaws N missus to go watch the Tic, hence escape ti Perth for the night.
HAIL HAIL N aw that !!!!!!!!!
Nice article , welcome to the Celtic family.
When you see guys in hoops and tri colours in the early hours of the morning in America you know the hoops are playing. HH
Great read buddy. Whatever your nationality, religion, skin colour, sexual preference you’re a part of the Celtic fraternity now. Hail hail
Ah agree Elcormaco but lets be realistic some on this site think differently from your sentiments.
Indeed i do…but then are you saying it’s not ok to be ” different “?
Doesn’t that make YOU intolerant?
Great read Amaerican Bhoy. If your ever in Houston TX come watch the game with the Houston Emerald CSC. You’ll find us the web and on Facebook. You may have to get up earlier though, 6AM here for early KOs, but you’ll be made welcome. Hail! Hail!
I’m also an american (from NJ, the rest of the country can fuck off) supporter, have been since the aforementioned match against Barcelona. I was 17 and that was what got me into soccer in the first place. I lived in england the past 3 years and my interest in Celtic spread to an interest in scotland, I made the trip north as much as I could. Glasgow is my second favourite city I’ve ever visited (behind Lisbon but ahead of Paris, Prague etc) and I look forward to making it further north when I’m not a poor student. I think it’s a wonderful country.
I’m the only american I know of who is a fan who does not have any sort of irish roots, and I feel like the club definitely plays up the fact that it’s a club for the irish people when trying to promote it to the foreign market (and it works, walk into any irish pub around me and you’ll see a Celtic scarf or shirt) but I still love the club all the same.
DP,
we are a Club proud of our Irish roots ( and have often been targeted because of them ); but , as Elcormaco (post above) best put it “whatever your nationality , religion , skin colour , sexual preference , you’re a part of the Celtic fraternity now “.
As if that wasn’t good enough news , have you heard : MOUSSA’S GOING NOWHERE 🙂
Good article and welcome to the “voice” of Celtic support online! Hopefully transfer day passes without any surprises, I hate surprises. Really pleased with Calum McGregor’s contribution this season may lack the glitz of some others but goes about his job tenaciously and without fuss, every team needs an unsung hero, Calum could be ours.
I wish Leigh Griffiths would sort himself out, a team that wants to make a bigger impact needs more than just guys who enjoy playing, training and preparation are important.
Nicely written, American Bhoy. With youth on your side you have many years of joy and pride ahead of you. Hail ! Hail !
We want oor fucking colonies back,yous stole them off us,gies them back.Please.
American bhoy,
What are the women like in America in terms of their work rate?
Do they have a good positive attitude to doing chores?
Have you heard of Dundee?
Mair importantly,have you heard of crocodile Dundee,he is a big scaly thing with a tail and big teeth,he goes under the name of King.and hes no king of the jungle,cos that is jimmybee.
He isny scaly but he his goat a tail,a tale of yore.
Good piece mahn,i enjoyed it.H.H.
From what I can tell there is huge variation as to the wummen in America.
Mike,
That’s the first time the words teeth and Dundee have been used in the one sentence.
A Dundonians teeth are the same as a crocodiles though..three inches of space between each tooth!
Ken
Interesting read American Bhoy, we come to the club from all angles, from drilled in family tradition to chance encounters over the web leading to curiosity and a love for the club. But that’s what helps makes the club what it is – a diverse support, inclusive and open to all held together by a passion for the Hoops.
Good man American Bhoy Hail Hail
American Bhoy. Brilliant. I have been doing a blog from Australia this season called Staying Up Late getting Up Early about watching the games. Whilst I was born in Scotland and grew up watching the Hoops it is great to read of newer fans like yourself. Great job!!
PS My latest blog. Hope this is okay to put the link on.
https://stayinguplateblog.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/window-closes-as-the-wolf-stays-in-paradise-victory-for-brendan/comment-page-1/#comment-615
Excellent piece AB. Very articulate young man. May you have a long happy life following Celtic as we go from strength to strength.
Great read AB.Nice to read an article on this site that doesn’t involve religion or politics, just a love of Glasgow Celtic F.C. Football or soccer ; it’s a sport….isn’t it?