In my day job, I work as a scientist. In our lab, we use analytical instrumentation to calculate the concentration of compounds that are present within the body. We mainly focus on compounds such as Cortisol which can be an indicator of stress. I am often tempted to assess my Cortisol levels preceding a big Celtic game such as the hours before a Champions League fixture where the heart starts to race. I think this would be an incredibly valuable scientific experiment. The levels of Cortisol would be interesting on their own to show how the thought of a football match can increase its level but a further study that enables us to determine why a construct such as a football team is able to regulate the levels of such a compound that can affect our human behaviour could be of interest to academics.

We all have our reasons for supporting Celtic. I am what you might call the typical Celtic fan. Born in Glasgow and went to a catholic primary and secondary school. Thankfully, the Celtic I know is about so much more than what school you went to and where you were born. We are a club very much open to whoever wants to support us and that is something to be proud of.

We all feel that draw of Celtic.

I was born in Glasgow and spent the first 17 years of my life growing up there. I lived first in Alison Street, Govanhill before moving to Carnwadric. Carnwadric, for the majority of those who don’t know it, is sandwiched between Thornliebank and Kennishead railway stations and isn’t too far from Pollok (or Silverburn). It was, and still is, a place when you mention it to people always responded to with a ‘Where?’ which is usually retorted with a ‘Have you heard of Thornliebank?’ with which the conversation takes a familiar pattern.

The reason for living in the south side was because of my dads family. They were very much from that area. My family however weren’t all based in the south side. My mums family were firmly Barrowfield natives and still are. So much so that my first experience of Celtic Park came as a result of a cousin with a spare ticket asking for a companion to accompany him to a drab end of season encounter culminating in me watching Celtic beat Kilmarnock 4-2.

That first taste of Celtic Park left a lasting impression and an aim which was to own a Celtic season ticket.

Growing up we weren’t exactly the richest. I always assumed that when I was older I would buy a season ticket for myself.

At 17, I decided to leave Glasgow and move to Edinburgh to go to university where I studied Chemistry. I knew one of the routes to success was through education. While there I, of course, kept up to date with Celtic but did feel a little far removed from it all. I visited Tynecastle once for a Celtic vs Hearts game, and had to endure the Hearts end with a Celtic victory, thanks to a John Hartson goal. It was a massive challenge to remain inanimate at the goal being scored and I think my friends who I was with certainly felt tempted to feed me to the Tynecastle wolves.

I always envisaged getting a season ticket when I graduated but that was before I really realised how expensive they were so kept putting it off.

I finally realised it was something I could afford to do but then I learned I was to be a father. One of the first thoughts that came into my head was ‘at what age can you get a season ticket?’ but with great responsibility comes great restraint…

However, the pull of Celtic is too strong and actually the way in which Celtic have played this season has made up my mind. While everyone externally is telling Celtic fans that they should be ‘bored’ or there is a ‘procession’ to the title we respond with defiance. We can’t help Celtic being so far ahead and actually we have all had to endure periods when that wasn’t the case so forgive us for basking in that glory.

A Celtic season ticket for 2017-18 beckons for me and a realisation of a dream that I had back when I first felt the pull of Celtic awaits.

@gjust67

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