Celtic Celebrations Redux

The traditional end-of-season bacchanal

I love being among people who are revelling in the moment.

All too often, we find ourselves scrolling on the phone, numb to the world. However, if you’ve spent all day drinking, you tend to get lost in emotion. These guys looked like they were fresh from a Renaissance painting.

Earlier in the day, I walked past the supporters waiting for the game at Celtic Park to finish and the party to get started.

There was a group of photographers standing by, hoping for things to kick off. Alas, I needed to get across town for a talk by Michael Clark.¹

By the time I got back in town, I assumed it would all be over. This guy was still in the spirit of things.

It was fairly quiet and there were hardly any flares. Also, I only had 3% battery left on my phone so had to be efficient.

But when I saw this guy wearing a green mask I remembered why I love these occasions. He reminded me of something from Diane Arbus or Peter Hujar.

There were teenagers climbing the Mercat Cross like medieval soldiers in a siege.

There were even a few pyrotechnic flares.

I am slightly reluctant to post this photo of young couples finding love among the celebrations and hope they don’t mind. It certainly captures something of the romance of the moment.

Alas, with all the smashed bottles there were some injuries. I think this guy got cut by the glass.

Another guy got stretchered away by the paramedics in green.

By the end of the day, Glasgow Cross was a mess …

… but some fans did bring black plastic sacks to pick up the rubbish.

It felt more subdued than last year’s celebrations. That time I saw Simon Murphy. He was there earlier in the day and did a great photo essay for Lower Block.

1. Clark himself was not averse to using football tropes.