Celtic kicked off their new Scottish Premiership campaign the way every champion dreams of, with a packed Celtic Park watching the title flag being unfurled before a ball was even kicked.
Martin O’Neill was among the 60,000 supporters packed into the ground for what is always one of the most emotional days in the Celtic calendar. Flag day is more than just a football match. It is a statement of intent, a moment for the support to breathe in what was achieved last season before turning their attention to doing it all over again.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric from early on, with fans in full voice as the champions banner was raised above Parkhead. For a club that has made a habit of winning titles in recent years, the ceremony has never lost its shine. If anything, the supporters seem to enjoy it more each time.
O’Neill, who led Celtic to some of their most celebrated domestic success during his time as manager, was spotted in attendance soaking up the occasion alongside tens of thousands of supporters who had made the trip to the east end of Glasgow.
The big question hanging over the day, of course, goes beyond the ceremony itself. Can Celtic back it up and make it another season of dominance in the Scottish top flight? The flag going up is the easy part. Keeping the chasing pack at bay for another ten months is the real challenge.
Rivals will be desperate to close the gap this term. The Glasgow derby alone guarantees that no title race in Scotland is ever truly straightforward, and there are sides throughout the Premiership who will be looking to make life difficult for the champions every step of the way.
But the mood around Celtic Park on flag day suggested a club and a fanbase that is not thinking about obstacles. There was nothing but confidence and celebration in the stands, with supporters young and old turning out to mark the occasion and get behind the team from the first whistle.
On the pitch, the players will know that the expectation is sky high. Flag day sets the tone and the standard. The supporters who fill that stadium week in week out demand that the level of performance matches the occasion, and the squad will be eager to deliver a result that sends the right message to everyone watching across Scottish football.
For new signings, if any were involved in the matchday squad, there could be no better introduction to what Celtic means. Sixty thousand people, a flag ceremony, and the weight of a club that expects to win. It is a unique environment and one that either lifts players to another level or reminds them quickly of what they have signed up for.
The match itself provided the backdrop to all of this, with supporters roaring every tackle, every chance, and every moment of quality. Celtic Park on a big occasion is one of the loudest and most passionate football atmospheres in Britain, and flag day never fails to deliver that in full.
Whether this season ends with another flag being ordered is the only thing that really matters now. The ceremony is done, the celebrations have had their moment, and Scottish football is back up and running. Celtic will be expected to lead the way once again.