Working in the No7 Restaurant


This first blog is going to be on what it's like working in the No7 Restaurant on a match-day at Celtic Park.

So many of you Celtic fans when going to the game generally buy a standard ticket, however the part of the stadium that I work in can cost you up to £4000 a season! You must be thinking wow that's nuts paying that amount just to go and watch a game of football! I must admit at first before I worked at Celtic I was the same!

It wasn't until I began working there that I realised how wonderful a place it actually is to be, the atmosphere in the restaurant before and after the game is IMMENSE! I would definitely recommend that every Celtic fan give it a go. Even if you can't afford the season there is special packages on offer all the time!

Here's a sneak peek inside...

It's nice yeah?! Well it looks even better when you're there! Now I thought that I would give you the low-down on what goes on behind the scenes in the No7 restaurant on a match day. When we first come in we have to finish setting up the restaurant from the day before (yawn) it can be quite boring plus it's early in the morning and who likes setting up a restaurant for like 150 people first thing!

Now I don't do the typical waitress job, I actually work in the kitchen dealing with the cheques and the orders that come in. Not going to lie it can be very stressful at times, however the banter in the kitchen with the chefs always cheers me right up! Maybe in a future blog I'll get them talking find out what it's like from a chef’s point of view working on a match day.

Once everyone’s fed, they sit back and chill and enjoy all the free drinks under the sun before the game starts (jealous much?) Then after that it’s game time!

Whilst the first half of the game is underway we set up the restaurant for halftime! As if a four-course meal wasn't enough for these people they now get to enjoy some cakes and pies. The staff are always praying there's some left over and then we sneak back into the kitchen to stuff our faces. It's the best part of the day!

When the game is over we now have to polish all the cutlery and plates that were used before we are allowed to head home! This is the worst part of the day. All I'm going to say is that polishing makes you want to kill yourself! However after polishing is done it's home time woohoooo! Work done.

I hope you enjoyed my little run through of what it's like working behind the scenes in the restaurant. Maybe might see some of you there, but until then goodbye until next time!

If you want to find out more about home packages for the games log onto to the Celtic website for more information

http://www.celticfc.net/

The Lisbon Lions


The year 1967 is one of the most important in the club's history. It's the year in which Celtic won their first ever European cup. 


It all began on the 25th May 1967 when our very own Celtic bet football team Internazionale 2-1 in Lisbon, Portugal. It's a day in which all Celtic fans know about. 


Not only was it a huge achievement for the team but also for the country as Celtic where the first ever British team to win the European Cup and the only Scottish one to have ever reached the final. 


In 1970 they reached the final again, however were eventually beaten 2-1. It has been said that this has been one of the best teams in the club's history.


And I'm lucky enough to actually be friends with some of them! 


When I first started working for Celtic I had heard of The Lisbon Lions but didn't realize how huge they are within the club. It wasn't until I started telling people that I was friends with The Lisbon Lions that I realized how important they are.


Somebody even said to me "They are my heroes".  But to me they are just nice old men who love a good gab. Every time I speak to them I actually forget who they actually are.


I'm very close to Joe McBride he tells everyone I'm his granddaughter because we have the same last name. Imagine that being related to one of them! Must say I feel so privileged when he says that to people.


I love him telling me all the stories of the past. He told me an interesting on the other day of when he had scored 9 goals in just one game! 


The No7 restaurant also gets the pleasure of having Berty Auld and Stevie Chalmers in it as they join us just about every match  for something to eat before going to watch the game.


As I've said before I am very lucky with all the wonderful people I get to meet when working and just knowing that I get to call some of The Lisbon Lions my friends is amazing. 

Me with Joe McBride and Evan Wiliiams

Celtic Charity Game


In August 2011 there was a charity game in which Celtic legends took on Manchester United legends. This blog is going to take a look back to the game that saw the likes of Gerard Butler taking part.

It was a night to remember for everyone who attended! There where so many celebrities and football legends it was hard to take in who was all there. 

Before the game I had the pleasure of serving Gerard Butler who I must say is one of the nicest most genuine people you could meet. He was talking away to everyone. He even made a wee joke to me about not giving him too much food as he's trying to keep the weight off.

And as if that wasn't good enough I turned round to find Henrik Larsson and Martin O'Neill on the table next to him. I was in complete shock I couldn't help but staring. They must of thought who is that crazy waitress!

There was a never-ending list of amazing people there from singers such as Tinchy Stryder to actor Ricky Whittle. 

The game was so exciting and ended with Celtic winning 5-2 thanks to a typical Larsson hatrick and two goals from the legendary Bobby Petta. Our own manager Neil Lennon even went on to play with Martin O'Neill returning to manger for the game.

Overall the game managed to raise £300,000 for the Oxfam East Africa Famine Appeal. The night was a great success and everyone came back in for a wee party. So I can now say I have partied with the likes of Gerard Butler and Henrik Larsson. 

Here's a wee interview with Gerard Butler during the game

And if you didn't get the chance to see it before watch it here ! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHIa16a1NPY

Top 10 Old Firm Games


With the last old firm game of the season now over, I'm going to take a look back at previous old firm games which can be considered memorable.


It all began in 1888 where these two clubs met and became instant rivals. Back then they were known as Celtic and Rangers and together they became known as The Old Firm.


They are Glasgow's Giants with each team winning the Scottish Premier League 96 times. No other team in Scotland has had the privilege of winning the SPL. 


Now over the years there has been many memorable games, however, in this blog I'm going to talk about the top 10 most talked about old firm games. 


1. CELTIC 7 RANGERS 1, 1957 LEAGUE CUP FINAL- It was a sunny day at Hampden park, Rangers were champions however it didn't take long for Celtic to change this with a memorable 7-1 win. It was such a good occasion that a song was made to remember it. 


2. CELTIC 4 RANGERS 0, 1969 SCOTTISH CUP FINAL- A crowd of 137,870 watched Celtic claim the last cup of the Scottish Treble. This was the year where they reached their second European cup final. Not only this but they also had the pleasure of beating Sir Alex Ferguson who played up front for Rangers in this game.


3. CELTIC 5 RANGERS 1, 1965/66- This was a special day as this was the first of nine successful titles won by the legendary Jock Stein. 


4. RANGERS 3 CELTIC 2, 1973 SCOTTISH CUP FINAL- A crowd of 122,714 watched on as Rangers thrashed Celtic and took the cup back home to Ibrox, it was the first cup win in over 7 years. 


5. RANGERS 5 CELTIC 1, 1988/89- This was Rangers biggest old firm win in over 28 years with goals from the manager of Rangers today Ally McCoist. This began the nine straight cup wins from Rangers.


6. CELTIC 5 RANGERS 1, 1998/99- Even though they had won the previous year's SPL to end Rangers 9 year straight win, they again lost the title the next year but not without dominating Rangers in the very last old firm game of the season.


7. CELTIC 0 RANGERS 3, 1998/99- This was a huge day for Rangers fans everywhere when they managed to win the title at Parkhead, however they game didn't go smoothly when the referee was hit on the head by a coin. 


8. CELTIC 6 RANGERS 2, 2000/01- It was a breath of fresh air when Martin O'Neill came to Celtic as he went on to be one of the greatest managers to ever be at the club. This game led to them winning the treble in his very first season. 


9. RANGERS 5 CELTIC 1, 2000/01- A couple of months after being beaten 6-2 by Celtic, Rangers came back for revenge and ended up beating Celtic 5-1. Despite Celtic still winning the league that year, Rangers fans everywhere remembered this day.


10. RANGERS 3 CELTIC 2, 2002 SCOTTISH CUP FINAL- Even though Celtic had won the previous two games, Rangers under manager Alex McLeish ended the season on a high.


So there you have it, the top 10 old firm games according to TalkSport. Despite these games being classed the best all fans of the old firm know that each game is memorable in it's own way. 


To watch clips from all of these games go to 


http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/top-ten/2011-04-23/rangers-v-celtic-10-best-old-firm-games

Old Firm Disappointment

With losing 3-2 to Rangers on Sunday Celtic has to wait at least another week before being presented with the trophy.

It was one of the most explosive old firm games of the season with 3 red cards and a booking, two of the red cards being Celtic players. Cha Du Ri and Victor Wanyama were both sent off by referee Calum Murray.

Not only was two of our players sent off  but at half time Neil Lennon was also sent to the stands for having words with Calum Murray in the tunnel.

In my opinion I thought the referee was a bit biased and seemed to favour Rangers throughout the game. For instance two of our players were sent off for minor tackles, however when two Rangers players ganged up on Celtic player Emilio Izzaguirre  they were let off with a warning.

I wasn't alone in thinking this as many people who came to the No7 restaurant to have food and watch the game were left angry and frustrated. There was the occasional shouting at the screens with my manager joining in.

What makes it worse is a lot of the chefs that work in Celtic support Rangers and boy oh boy did they enjoy rubbing it in everyone's faces.

However, when it came to nearer the end of the game everyones mood lightened up a bit as Celtic seemed to be making a bit of a comeback. One customer said, " I can accept what the score is now".

After the game Neil Lennon was interviewed by a news reported from the BBC. If you want to have a listen go on to http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17419735

Lets hope next season they will start off the next old firm game with a bang!  

Do you think Referee Calum Murray was biased?

The Old Firm

With the old firm game coming up this Sunday, this blog will take a look back at previous meetings between Glasgow's Giants.

With the game fast approaching it's all anyone can talk about! It's the game of the season and it's the one everyone waits for to come as it is the last meeting between the two Glasgow clubs.

Despite all the violence around the game and the bad press the old firm games are actually something to look forward too. It is known to have an atmosphere like no other game in the world.

Not only does both clubs have huge fan bases worldwide other footballers are also fans. Wayne Rooney has been photographed at  a Celtic game before and also stated on twitter during an old firm game " Come on Celtic get a win today and win the league. Come on the Hoops".

Rio Ferdinand tweeted " Atmosphere sounds unbelievable at the old firm game. 1-0 to Celtic !"

Not only is the atmosphere amazing in the stadium, inside is just as good! Last time when Celtic bet rangers 1-0 with Joe Ledley's wonder goal, all the players went around all the restaurants and went back to the players lounge to have a party.

Because it's the last old firm game of the season, my work has done a special offer where you can come to Parkhead and eat before, got to the game and come back afterwards, just like the cup final. Though lets hope the game doesn't end the same way!

We could of been celebrating not only a possible win over Rangers but the fact they have won the SPL, however because Celtic had a draw with Aberdeen, the presentation of the cup will be held off another week.

But could you imagine? Winning the cup at Ibrox? The feeling for all Celtic fans, the players and Neil Lennon would be unbelievable. It would of definitely made up for Sundays disappointment.

However, here's hoping once again they show us why they're top of the league and come back home to Parkhead with a win.


A trailer made for the upcoming game...

The Dream Dies 


As Celtic lose 1-0 to Kilmarnock the dream of winning the Treble is quickly destroyed.


Am sure all Celtic fans across the world are very disappointed in yesterday's performance as most believed this was the first in winning all 3 cups of the Treble. The odds were on Celtic to win considering they had played 19 games straight without losing.


Before yesterday ended with everyone being disappointed, the day started of with everyone in high spirits. Many people were coming to the stadium to eat a 3 course meal before the match and they were all buzzing for the game as were the staff. 


The No7 restaurant had twice the people in it than normal. On a normal match day we have about 130 odd people, however yesterday there was at least 212. All enjoyed a champagne reception with free beer bottles of beer already on the table for them coming in.


As they went to watch the game we all set up for them coming back, this included setting up two buffet stations of rice and curry, pasta and steak pie all to be served to them when they got back.


When they came back we expected them to be all down and quite silent, however it just goes to show Celtic do in fact have the best fans in the world as soon as a man called The Dubliner started to sing with his guitar he managed to get the whole room on their feet.


He reminded them that it's not the end of the world and that we still have the old firm game and the SPL to look forward to. If only Neil Lennon and the players would have the same spirit.


When they came back they were all very silent sitting with their pints barely talking. Just seeing Neil Lennon's face made me want to cry just a little bit, you could see how gutted he was and I'm sure the team also felt really gutted for him.


However, the best advice I can give him, the players and all Celtic fans is don't let this put a stop in winning two out of three trophies. This is still an amazing achievement for any manager. Lets hope next time they give everything they've got.