When I was but a bairn, I went to a Catholic primary school only 18 miles away from Glasgow. This meant you were a Celtic supporter, or you didnae like fitba. I ended up settling on the latter. When I went to a “non-denominational” high school, which realistically meant CoS, although there was a fair minority mix of Catholics, Hindus, etc amongst the majority Protestant pupils, saying you didn’t like football was easier than engendering hostility if you didn’t support Celtic / Rangers / Hearts / Hibs / whoever.

Fast forward 20 years, Celtic play probably their best season in a decade, despite losing out on the UEFA cup by dodgy refereeing, and despite losing out on the SPL title on goals scored in the last game of the season. Tonight they beat FBK Kaunas in their Champions League qualifying tie, and after sitting watching the World Cup last year, and quite a few games this year, I find myself latching on to Celtic again. Whether or not this is a bad thing, I don’t know yet, as I routinely find myself with Rangers supporters, and professing a love for the Bhoys may leave me unwanted and unloved. Or more likely with a pint in the face. Probably with the glass still attached.

In other, but randomly related news, ra Celts had problems coming home tonight after their Britannia 757 aborted their takeoff from Lithuania (I assume they were flying out of Vilnius Intl) due to the airspeed indicators not functioning. Hardly news — minor fault causes airplane to abort takeoff — but of course with the whole Celtic squad and management staff on board, it instantly becomes news :)