Thousands of Celtic fans were celebrating in the sunshine of Santa Ponsa yesterday as they watched their team triumph in the Glasgow Derby.
Most holidays were booked before the SPFL announced the post-split fixtures, many Season Ticket holders will have found themselves in their favourite part of south-west Mallorca which provided a fairly decent alternative venue to view the action.
Celts Well, Brennan’s and The Dubliner are three of the most popular locations to watch the action with all of them offering something different with a seat half an hour before kick-off strongly recommended.
The night before a big match there is always a special feeling in the air, the holiday excitement mixed with the tension of knowing how high the stakes are back home.
Daizen Maeda’s return to the side was as welcome along the Carter de Ramon de Montcalm as it was on The Celtic Way with the homeside starting the match swarming all over their nervous opponents.
There was no early settler for the Celts in the sun to celebrate but late in the first half the match exploded into life with Matt O’Riley and John Lundstram finding the net.
Cyriel Dessers cut the celebrations short but when Lundstram was red carded the supporters could relax a little with the half-time rounds ordered with a degree of assurance that the points and the SPFL title were on the way.
There were some sweaty moments through the second half but the final whistle was greeted with joy, the holidays had an extra edge as supporters slipped back to their hotels, apartments and the beach to take stock of an eventful afternoon with further celebrations assured across the resort.
The place to be to watch the match for most fans is clearly at The Square where the Celts Well has an incredible setting.
Since August 2022 the installation of Harry’s Big Telly has quickly become a tourist attraction with a screen the size of a double-decker bus allowing 400 fans to watch a crystal clear picture in the baking sunshine.
Indoors there are a few good screens to watch the match with Harry, Marina and Katie bolstered by extra matchday staff to keep the thirsty fans well hydrated.
Walking into The Square, which is actually circular, for the first time is a special experience, the screen dominates with a variety of outdoor acts on through the summer while Karl Byrne provides Celtic tunes and more late into the night.
About half a mile away, along the Carter de Ramon de Montcalm is The Dubliner which provides six hours of live music every night from the start of April until well in to October.
Indoors there are no shortage of screens, outdoors on the terrace you can enjoy the match with a smoke in the ultimate Celtic minded atmosphere.
With Sonia, Sofia and Ciaran calling the shots only the very best musicians make it on stage with the brilliant Mairtin O’Huigin putting in 10 out of 10 performances every night of the week throughout the season. Abley assisted by Darrin Cahill and Cammy.
Keen to stay out in front, other top musicians appear in fortnightly shifts with Chris from Erin Go Bragh booked in for the whole of July and August.
Between The Dubliner and Celts Well there are plenty of options for supporters to watch the match or enjoy their night out with the area east of the small roundabout at Daniels Corner known as The Strip.
Brennan’s is in action before St Patrick’s Day with Michelle putting in Maeda type performances morning, noon and night.
The drinks are flowing, the tables cleared and the glasses washed in the blink of an eye, outdoors there are different acts on from 9-11.30pm every night. Indoors JJ McBrearty, known locally as Jesus keeps the tunes going well into the morning.
There is off course much more to Santa Ponsa than Celtic friendly pubs and bars, it is a very cosmpolitan resort, completely different to Magaluf which is a 10 euro taxi fair away where you’ll struggle to escape from a ‘diet’ of pizzas, burgers, chips, kebabs and overweight gammons.
Central to the appeal of Santa Ponsa is the white sanded beach which never seems to get overcrowded.
The bay of Santa Ponsa provides a very sheltered beach, the waves are never fierce and from June onwards the chill is removed from the water.
Running parallel to the beach is Gran via Puig de Galatzo which has a Burger King and McDonalds for those needing a taste of home comforts.
At the bottom of Gran via Puig de Galatzo is the big roundabout, take a left and it opens up a very Spanish main road with a massive selection of restaurants with something for those that enjoy their steaks and tapas alongside Sangria.
You can eat out well every night, with or without your Celtic top on and get an authentic taste of the Spanish lifestyle that makes Mallorca the most in-demand resort in Europe.
On the other side of the big roundabout you have what is known as the quiet side of the bay, an area with more German themed hotels and restaurants. Before you reach that area you have to stop and get a picture on Carrer de Lisboa which is likely to have a few Celtic stickers.
Following the coastline round takes you to the exclusive Country Club area with properties belonging to Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp and Rafa Nadal.
Last June that area was the centre of attention for Celtic fans, after Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay indulged in some sweet talking Callum McGregor and Odin Thiago Holm were among Brendan’s guests.
Whatever the age range Santa Ponsa has an incredible pull, few visitors can resist the magic of the place with many guests returning two or three times each year, and never disappointed.
CLICK HERE for two faced Keevins performs u-turn on Rodgers.
