The Boxing Day fixture. One that has been a staple for Football fans during the festive period. One day after Christmas, there aren’t many better things to do than sit down, watch football and maybe even have some of the leftovers from the day before.

Celtic’s success in these fixtures over the years have been pretty good having not lost on that date since the 1992/93 season. So I thought I would take a look back at the last five fixtures, on this day.

St Mirren 2-1 (A) 2019

Last season saw us travel to Paisley in the hope of taking home all three points. At that point, we were on a run of 10 victories in a row in the league, dating back to the start of October.

Callum McGregor opened the scoring for Neil Lennon’s men after 22 minutes before shortly after, winger James Forrest doubled the lead with a well-worked goal. The Buddies grabbed a late goal back with a deflected free-kick by Cammy McPherson throwing Fraser Forster completely off guard but it was too little too late for Jim Goodwin’s side.

Aberdeen 4-3 (A) 2018

Looking back at this game, it probably goes down as a bit of a classic game in what was an entertaining afternoon at Pittodrie.

Celtic took an early lead once again after six minutes, in what was his first of three on the day but was pegged back after Emilio Izaguirre fouled Niall McGinn resulted in Stevie May scoring from the spot.

The game really kicked off with 15 minutes to go as the Hoops took the lead again in the 76th minute. Once again though, Aberdeen was back on level terms with a controversial penalty given by Willie Collum.

Substitute Odsonne Edouard played a massive part in getting the three points as just minutes later a beautifully weighted dink over Joe Lewis found the back of the net. His mazy run also set-up Sinclair for his third of the game and Celtic’s fourth. The home side grabbed a late goal back but it wasn’t enough with the game finishing 4-3.

Dundee 2-0 (A) 2017

A key theme in these games seems to be Celtic starting on the front foot and grabbing an early goal. Against Dundee in 2017, James Forrest got the opening goal after seven minutes at Dens Park.

The game was wrapped up just before half-time as Leigh Griffiths got the second of the game. The three points saw the Celts go 11 points clear at the top of the league.

At this time, Jonny Hayes was starting to get a run in the side with some decent performances but unfortunately broke his leg in this fixture leaving him with a lengthy lay-off

St Johnstone 1-0 (A) 2013

The next Boxing Day clash was a few years before 2017, going all the way back to 2013 in Neil Lennon’s first spell as boss, against St Johnstone.

Similarly to the last fixture, Celtic managed to open the scoring inside 10 minutes as defender Virgil Van Dijk scored. Many may remember this goal, which saw the big Dutchman turn defence into attack as he went on a galivanting run, finished off with a toe-poked effort from outside the area.

The Hoops also went 11 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership just as they had against Dundee

Dundee 2-0 (A) 2012

Back to Tayside again, Celtic came away as 2-0 winners against Dundee

Popular duo Georgios Samaras and Gary Hooper scored the goals in the game to take the three points back to Glasgow, just as they did a few years later with the same result.

Some familiar names such as Efe Ambrose, Kelvin Wilson and Tony Watt all featured in the match, just over a month after the famous result at Celtic Park against Barcelona.

 

Next up- Hamilton Accies 26/12/2020

With a crucial future ahead against Hamilton tomorrow, three points really is a must going into this game.

Hopefully, we can keep up the record of Boxing Day fixtures with another convincing victory, in South Lanarkshire.

 

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