Delighted for Athletic Club and Ange, loved the Celtic presence in Estadio de San Mamés | OneFootball

Amid a huge Celtic presence inside ‘The Cathedral’ that is the Estadio de San Mamés, trophy-less theRangers went out of the Europa league after falling to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of The Basque Country’s finest, Athletic Club of Bilbao.

An Athletic Club Bilbao supporter outside Celtic Park ahead of the Celtic v Kilmarnock match,. Photo Celtic Curio

Not the highest quality football match we’ve seen this season

It was a game that didn’t really shine a great light on the Europa league such was the quality of the football on show. But in the end it got the winner it deserved as the La Liga side were the only ones trying to play football the right way with skill and desire, as opposed to their opponents who were just intent on stopping the flow of the game whilst lumping hopeless balls up the park hoping for the best.

Despite howls of injustice from the SMSM and Ibrox supporters alike the right team prevailed over the two legs, and The Ibrox club will now finish the campaign without silverware once again.

Not that they stood much chance of winning European football’s second tier club competition, as some very optimistic and deluded Bears were suggesting. Anyone with any knowledge of the game could have told you they had virtually no chance, and if any lurkers believed otherwise then more fool you.

Oihan Sancet of Athletic Club celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from a penalty kick with teammates during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Athletic Club and theRangers at Estadio de San Mames on April 17, 2025 in Bilbao. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)

An incredible Celtic presence inside The Cathedral last night

Athletic Club v theRangers – with a strong Celtic presence

There was an incredible Celtic presence inside The Cathedral last night with Celtic tops and flags prominent on television screens every time a crowd scene was shown. And the Irish tricolour was there too. So many of the Athletic supporters who travelled to Glasgow last week stayed on to enjoy an afternoon at Celtic Park and watch the finest team in Scotland putting on a how in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock.

Athletic Club v theRangers – with a strong Celtic presence

You’ll Never Walk Alone

For the Celtic support last night watching the match, it was a delightful evening witnessing the Ibrox side lose and ultimately condemned to another trophy-less campaign. You could say it was a win for football, well done Athletic club. You’ll Never Walk Alone…

Tattoo on his right arm…

For Celtic it’s back to Scottish Cup action this weekend when we face St Johnstone in the semi-final at Hampden before heading to Tannadice needing just one point to secure a 13th title in 14 years. Having already won the Premier Sports League Cup, beating theRangers in the final on 15 December 2024, the Hoops have a ninth Celtic treble in their sights – that of course would be another world record.

Celtic v Aberdeen – Ange Postecoglou celebrates with the league trophy after the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday May 27, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

Well done Ange Postecoglou

A final word on the Europa League, good to see Ange Postecoglou make the semi-finals with Tottenham, with a great chance of reaching this final which is at Estadio de San Mamés – a Tottenham v Athletic Club final would be something else!

Well done again Athletic Club and of course, Hail, Hail to everyone wearing the Hoops last night!

Athletic Club v theRangers – Press Cutting

PS Crying with laughter…

Celtic colours on show in Bilbao last night. Photo social media.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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