Baku Bhoy reflects on Wednesday
So that was it then. The historic first competitive match played on Azerbaijan soil. I now know what it is like to be famous. Celtic fans could not get into the ground as we were weighed down by the number of Qarabag fans asking to get their photograph taken with the travelling support.
We started in Mexicana being serenaded by Charlie Devlin who ran through the whole back catalogue of tunes that would have Strathclyde’s finest performing their infamous kettle procedure.
The banners went up as fans arrived. Inverness, Bathgate, Gilmerton, were the bigger ones but a fair cross section soon covered the walls. By 7.00pm the place was bouncing
7.30 onto the supporters buses and off to the ground. 3 buses arrived in tandem and we hit the car park with a rousing Hail Hail startling the Qarabag supporters who then immediately crowded us shaking hands and welcoming us. Unusually for a European away fixture there was no segregation. We all entered by the same main gates and has free access right round the ground.
We filed into section 28 and let them know we had arrived. For Qarabag fans the atmosphere was electric. The stadium announcer led the chanting and kept them fired up. (which I thought was not allowed).
The game itself was odd as we actually looked like a proper European defence with everyone on their best behaviour as there was no doubt the referee was a real homer. Think Willie Collum wearing a wig. As time wore on tension increased as the implications of a mistake were becoming enormous for both sides. The final whistle brought relief for our small band and despair for the majority in the stadium.
It was another swarm of fans on the way out with scarf, badge and shirt exchanges as we made our way to the buses mingling and discussing the nights events with Qarabag fans who wished us every success as the adventure continues. My abiding last memory is of the applause and waves of Qarabag fans as we pulled away and headed back into The City and the after party.
Charlie took to the stage and off we went again. One travelling fan asked, when does the bar close, and the reply was how long are you here for.
After a few more diet cokes it was home and bed. In work today all the locals can talk about was what a great night they had trying to drown out the songs of The 200 or so travelling fans. Once again we have shown what it is to be Glasgow Celtic.
And if Mark from Uddingston is still being served in Mexicana someone make sure he gets the 8.50 pm BA Flight to Heathrow.
Excellent, thanks lads! Well done to all of you. Celtic away support: what’s not to like? I’m proud to be a Bhoy.
All that and still made work next day! Top Bhoy.
Baku Bhoy
These are the tales that make me proud of Celtic for it is the supporters who fly the flag in the public domain. Once again we have hit the bullseye and carved another notch on our bow of friendship. Well done to all who made it happen and especially to you for keeping us informed of these good news stories. Heaven knows we need them here with the media coverage we have to suffer.
H H
The media was all about how terrible it was for celtic players to celebrate.
Of all the Scandanavian players the Beeb could have asked about this tie with Malmö , look who they dredge up ??? Larsson ,Mjalby , Riseth, what t f are this mob all about. I listened to the interview on the radio and even Prytz was incredulous at the guided questions he was being asked , he ended up laughing!! What a bunch of Bluenosed Cretins run BBC Scotland. I am Jim Spence!!!
Baku bhoy,
excellent report,wish I had been there.
Sorry Baku bhoy,meant to ask,any names of the Bathgate bhoys that you met?
Swapping shirts? I bet the Celtic fans got the best of that exchange given the problems with NB.