Carlisle welcomes Celtic invasion

Upto 300 Celtic fans are heading to Carlisle on Saturday for the Northern League clash between Celtic Nation and Shildon.

Celtic Nation have been attracting a regular flow of Celtic fans throughout the season with buses travelling from Glasgow, Newcastle and Liverpool for Saturday’s match.

The bumper crowd will benefit a local charity with entrance by donation at the turnstile.

A home win is vital with Shildon two points ahead of the Carlisle hoops with two games in hand over Willie McStay’s side.

The former Celtic coach took over as manager earlier in the season and enjoying the challenge of realising club owner Frank Lynch’s dream of taking up a club through the various levels of the English pyramid structure.

“Saturday is a big game for the club and it’s great that we’ll be boosted by lot of Celtic fans making a day of it,” McStay said.

“We’ve had a few buses come down for our games this season, they’ve all enjoyed themselves and been impressed by what the club is trying to do.

“It’s an exciting venture, I’m pleased to be part of it, the club is making great strides but everything boils down to results.

“We were on a great winning run until we lost 3-1 at Newcastle Benfield then drew at home with Durham City.

“Last week’s match against Billingham Synthonia was postponed so we’ve had a bit of extra time to prepare for the game with Shildon.

“There’s still a lot of games to go but it would be great to get the win, get in front of Shildon and try and build up some momentum.”

Among the players that McStay has recruited to Celtic Nation is former Celtic, Sheffield United and Swindon midfielder Jon-Paul McGovern, Willie Gibson who played for Kilmarnock and former Dundee and Livingston striker Colin McMenamin.

CELTIC NATION website