The Celtic Underground

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This week, Andrew is joined by legendary Scottish football writer Hugh MacDonald to explore the history, identity, and modern dilemmas of Celtic.

From European triumphs to agonising near-misses, the discussion revisits defining chapters in the club’s story including the enduring legacy of Billy McNeil and the transformative influence of Jock Stein, whos…

This Sunday, the Celts will head to Ibrox, a ground that has been home to both of the Rangers teams.

However, Celtic have also been the ‘home’ team at Ibrox on various occasions.

This latest podcast tells these surprising stories.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This week we decided to go back to basics with The Collective. When you’re online all the time talking about Celtic, it can be easy to forget that many people just dip in and out of the Celtic chat and therefore some of the detail of the Celtic fan

dispute with the board can pass them by. For that reason we decided to go back to basics with a who, what, why, where podcast.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Harry and Andrew briefly revisit the dramatic victory over Kilmarnock before the focus quickly shifts to the looming European test against VfB Stuttgart. The bhoys discuss Celtic’s fluctuating performance levels, the psychology of late wins, and whether scraping through domestically builds resilience or masks deeper issues. They explore how trust within the squad, particularly in midfield, remains fundamental to controlling games and why conviction in possession will be critical against stronger opposition.

Celtic’s character has been tested repeatedly in recent weeks; now the question is whether they can translate late drama into sustained authority. Winning remains the priority but doing so with consistency, clarity, and confidence will define the weeks ahead.

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

95 years ago this week was the birth of Bobby Collins, one of the most popular Celts of the 1950s.

Collins was involved in numerous memorable Celtic moments, as well as having a very successful career in England.

This latest podcast tells his story.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Player.fm

Spreaker

Audioboom

Youtube

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

135 years ago this week, the Celts had an important reason to ‘love’ Valentine’s Day.

The Bhoys won what is considered to be their first major trophy, the Glasgow Cup.

This latest podcast tells the story.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Player.fm

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Audioboom

Youtube

Thanks for reading & listening to The Celtic Underground Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This week, Harry and Andrew begin with a wander through childhood memories - growing up in the 1970s, when health-and-safety was optional, teeth were questionable, and television meant characters like Harry H. Corbett and Steptoe & Son. Those early reflections set the tone for a conversation about how upbringing, culture, and shared experience shape the way supporters view football today.

Nostalgia gives way to a broader discussion about how fan expectations have evolved, and how moments of joy in football often land harder precisely because they sit alongside frustration, cynicism, and long memories.

The emotionally draining cup win against Dundee was a game that summed up much of the current Celtic experience. Celtic’s struggles in midfield, questionable game management, and ongoing refereeing controversies are all examined, alongside wider concerns about why fans boycotted and the curent and the direction of the club.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

The story of Jimmy Delaney

80 years ago, the Celtic career of one famous Celt came to an end.

Jimmy Delaney was a hugely popular figure at Celtic Park in the era of World War Two.

This latest podcast tells his story.

Every week you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours that visit the sites that have shaped the bhoys history. To find out more you can visit www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Player.fm

Spreaker

Audioboom

Youtube

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

There’s a glass half full and a glass half empty way of looking at this window. It’s a window where it’s possible to have multiple thoughts all happening at once and all seemingly contradictory.

* Are we stronger today then we were going into the window? Absolutely.

* Did the manager get his preferred options of 2x strikers, a right winger and a centre half. Again, absolutely.

* Have the two we’ve seen so far looked like an upgrade on what was in the squad 31st December? You’d better believe it.

* So all the fans will be delighted? Ehhhh…naw!

The proof of the pudding in judging any window is how the players perform when here. We’ve secured 5 signings and people are understandably concerned that they are all loans. It’s what I expected with a temporary manager so I’m pretty ambivalent. It all looked like it was going south early evening and that is no doubt where so much of the fan angst is coming from. If you leave it to the last minute you give yourself no wriggle room.

But do I think this window has made us more likely that we’ll win the title than if the players didn’t come in? 100%. Do I think the current boardroom will be the one that runs next January’s window? I’d be very surprised.

Anyway, Andrew and me discuss all 5 newcomers (even though 1 was confirmed 10 mins after we’d finished).

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com

In this episode, Humza Yousaf reflects on what it meant to be the first Scottish First Minister who was openly a supporter of Celtic Football Club, and why he chose authenticity over caution.

(Issue with video for first 15 mins or so but up and running thereafter)

He speaks candidly about the pressure, early in his political career, to downplay his love …