American's questions re Scottish Football

[captdf]

I am an American who will probably be travelling to Scotland sometime next season (2004-2005). I will probably go to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

1) How difficult is it to get football tickets generally for Gers, Celtic, Hibs & Hearts.

2) Is it possible for non-members to get tickets to see the Old Firm, or to see the Edinburgh derby?

3) Of the above 4 team (religion aside) who do you think has the best/worst atmosphere?

Any help you could offer would be appreciated.

[musicl]

Im not Scottish and have never been to a match in Scottland but ill answer anyway.

1) Pretty easy.

2) Old Firm - no. Ed City - yes.

3) You will get a good atmosphere at nearly any game, you get a good atmoshere at Colraine v Ballymoney games (and these teams are terrible). Best atmosphere probs Celtic, espically Rangers v Celtic matches at Celtics ground (Celtic Park I think its called?).

[Gordon EF]

1) It will be easy to get tickets to any Hibs or Hearts games. It might be tricky to get tickets to Old Firm games though.

2) Would think that it would be very difficult for non season ticket holders to get to an Old Fim derby. It shouldn't be that hard to get tickets to the Edinburgh derby.

3) As bytheway says, most games should have a decent atmosphere. Every derby in Scotland has a unique atmosphere. Tynecastle (Hearts) is generally accepted to have one of the best atmospheres in Scotland due to the steepness of the stands. Celtic Park is also a great stadium.

[John T]

When I went to Scotland in 2000, I e-mailed the Celtic ticket office regarding tickets and they were very helpful in getting me a pair. It wasn't an Old Firm match, though, so that might be more difficult.

The day before, I went to a Hibs match and simply got my ticket at the gate.

Both matches were a lot of fun to watch and the people sitting near me were very friendly.

[CelticOnFire]

The Edienburgh Derby should not be a problem. I went to the ticket office less than an hour before kickoff and got mid field tickets. It was also Hibs home opener, great atmosphere.
I imagine Hearts will be easier then ever next year as they mover to Muarryfield.

[markdickson]

I imagine Hearts will be easier then ever next year as they mover to Muarryfield.

What does "easier then ever" mean? We're 3rd in the league this year, were 3rd the year before and top 6 before that!

And nothing is set in stone about moving to murrayfield!

http://mardi.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/pollresults/007

[Holyjoe]

What does "easier then ever" mean? We're 3rd in the league this year, were 3rd the year before and top 6 before that!

"easier than ever" for getting tickets, I'd guess. I doubt he's denegrating the ability of the side too much! ;)

[captdf]

Thanks for all the help you've given so far.

Here's some follow ups:

In Scotland do they usually have Saturday matches, and then have one match on Sunday like they do in England? Also, do they have varied match times on Saturday? In other words, if I were only in town for one weekend would it be possible for me to go to multiple matches?

[Gordon EF]

There is almost always a match on Sunday (the live TV match). Sometimes you get matches at 12:00 on Sturday, although most games are 3:00 on Saturday.

If you only had one weekend it's likely you could go to two matches, although not definate.

p.s. After the split, I'm sure the top and bottom halfs play on different days i.e. alternate Saturday's and Sunday's.

[AdTheLad]

Colraine v Ballymoney would be an Irish game. The guy said he's going to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Duh.

[AdTheLad]

I mean a NORTHERN Irish game. I know how fussy you lot can be about that (!)

[markdickson]

"easier than ever" for getting tickets, I'd guess. I doubt he's denegrating the ability of the side too much! ;)

Ah, thanks for setting the record straight!

[captdf]

Colraine v Ballymoney would be [a Northern] Irish game. The guy said he's going to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Duh.

I was wondering who the heck those guys were.

[ManUtd R16]

I am an American who visited Edinburgh early this year. I called the Celtic tickets office and they informed me that Old Firm match tickets are not available to non-members period.

Hogmanay was fun though, even though it was cancelled!!