That's brilliant. My wife always asks me would I want any of our kids to be Celtic fans, we have not started yet. I'm on the fence about it. I'd love them to play soccer, I've got a pretty good grasp of the game, I'd be clueless about baseball or football ( American). I mean, I can't throw a spiral never had a mitt etc. I love the game but the whole living in Scotland and the Old Firm left a bad taste in the mouth. More so looking back and being in the U.S for so long.He hasn't been to a Sox-Yankees game yet, but the crowd intensity of those games has subsided significantly since 2004, at least to my eye. Not that I'd trade 2004 to get it back.
At this point in time, I think the closest atmosphere a Boston sports venue can come to an Old Firm match would be a B's-Habs Game 7 playoff. The Pats have some bitter rivals, but the crowds at Gillette are just too sedate (comparitively). A Sox-Yanks ALCS matchup would probably get there, but the stakes don't seem as high anymore; nothing can top 2003-04.
This is me and the kid at the boozer on Sunday morning. Hopefully I've set him on a course toward an inferiority complex and the inevitable struggle with alcoholism.
When I moved to Boston, this girl took me to a bar in Southie for a Rangers -Celtic game. I can't remember the name of it , but if I saw it on a list I'd be able to pick it out. Anyway, it was a real Republican bar and they had a "whip round" for the "cause" at half time. I felt really uncomfortable. I soon found other bars showing Celtic games which were a bit more....family friendly for lack of a better word. I was living at Coolidge Corner at the time. That must be an old shirt you are wearing, I have the same one (NTL)....I think it's from around 2003-4?
I've heard the Yanks-Red Sox games have lost a bit of passion but I've not been to one since the late 90's. I used to get tickets behind home plate courtesy of someone in the front office. However, I had mates who would always be in the bleachers for the Yanks-Red Sox games. I gave up my tickets and would join them in the bleachers and had an absolute blast. I loved that atmosphere. Some of the heckling was hysterical...you got to hear Boston fan's humor at it's very best
When I first moved to Boston in 94 the Red Sox were crap as were the Patriots. I used to get free tickets to Patriots games and they were so bad I could never get anyone to go with me. I get accused of being a band wagoner all the time...then I have to explain I became a fan during a pretty dark spell for both teams when I first moved to Boston from Scotland. The thing I will always remember most is never missing a Pedro game...I feel blessed that I saw him play when he was at his best. The atmosphere was always electric.
I would suggest taking your son to Parkhead for a European game...it's absolutely the best. Something on the bucket list if time permits. An old firm game not so much...it's far from healthy or at least wait until he's older. My wife wants me to take her to a game in October when we are over there...we may or may not. Of course we have no idea what the fixture list is but she is determined to go.
The other day I was watching some game, I can't remember who was playing. Anyway she disappeared out of the room and came back 30 seconds later wearing a Man Utd away top. We've been married 10 years....never had a clue she had a football shirt...it was a WTF moment for sure.