Back at happy hunting ground

Celtic super fan Jay Beatty took to the pitch at Hamilton Accies last weekend, five years after scoring the SPFL goal of the month award at the club.

Jay, from County Armagh, is a regular face at the Fountain of Youth stadium when his beloved Celtic side face Accies away from home, and on Sunday he was overjoyed to be back on the pitch along side his heroes.

The 15-year-old, along with his dad Martin, enjoyed watching Celtic and Accies warm up and had a wee kickabout on the pitch prior to the game, which Celtic won 4-1.

And the pair were also keen to reminisce about Jay’s wonder goal back in 2015.

Martin told the Advertiser: “obviously Jay’s first love is Celtic, he adores them, but he’s always happy to travel over from Ireland to Hamilton Accies as well.

“Back in January 2015 it was here that

Jay stepped up and scored a penalty to thousands of fans from both sides chanting‘ there’s only one Jay Beattie’.

“That was a memorable day for Jay and I, and of course a few weeks later he was awarded the Scottish Professional Football League Goal of the Month award. It was all very surreal. But we are always delighted to be back at Hamilton and receive such a warm welcome from everyone associated with the club.”

Jay added: “it’s great being back at Hamilton. It’s always a good day and a good game.”

He rose to fame back in May 2014 when fellow Lurgan native Neil Lennon spotted him in the crowd during jubilant title celebrations at Celtic Park. Lennon, during his first stint as Celtic manager, gave his league winner’s medal to Jay, and Greek striker Georgios Samaras carried him around the pitch on a lap of honour.