Celtic is like a family. I am privileged to be part of it.

Let me start by introducing myself. I’m Paulina—a big Celtic fan and Glasgow lover. My nicknames on social media are Glasgow Genuine and Celtic Daftie. I also have a YouTube channel, GlasgowMyLove, so I’d love to encourage you to subscribe!

I am from a place just outside of Warsaw, a place called Siedlce; it is the town Celtic fans will know best as the birthplace of Artur Boruc, so right away there was a connection between myself and the club.

In my first article, I want to share my story: how I became a Celtic fan, what it means to me, and how it feels to be one. I am sharing this because I intend to become a regular writer on Celtic, and I want you to understand how I got here.

I have to be honest—I didn’t grow up with Celtic.

But when I watched a Celtic game on a Celtic website, I thought, “Yes, Celtic! That’s the team for me! I’m going to follow you wherever you go and be faithful through and through.” It was a spontaneous decision, and I’ve never regretted it. From that moment, I fell in love with Celtic. I knew I had to learn about its history, understand the game, and embrace the Glasgow Celtic Way.

There are still things I need to learn from more experienced Celtic fans about this tremendous club, but I feel I’m on the right path.

One story that shows just how much I love Celtic might seem funny, but it truly captures my feelings. Three years ago, I was in Glasgow with my godmother.

One day, we took a train to Bellahouston Park because she wanted to visit the Mackintosh House for Art Lovers (she’s an architect and mad about Mackintosh). Guess where we got off? Yes—at Ibrox.

As we walked past Ibrox Stadium, she asked, “So this is the stadium where your beloved team plays?” I laughed and said, “No, not this one! My beloved team is Celtic FC, and their home is Celtic Park!”

She was a bit shocked, but in that moment, I realised I was angry at the very notion of mixing up these two teams. I knew just how precious Celtic was to me. This was the only club I would ever love.

Another incredible moment in my journey as a Celtic fan was meeting James Forrest—a brilliant Celtic blogger and writer.

He fuelled my passion for Celtic, igniting the flame even brighter.

Thanks to him, I was able to bring my love of the city of Glasgow and the team to the Celtic world; you may have seen my YouTube visits on some of the Facebook groups.

James even took me to some Celtic matches; I was delighted to watch the league decider last season with him and some friends in the pub, I was fortunate enough to attend the women’s league decider at my beloved Parkhead, and I can’t put into words how I felt during my first-ever first team game at Celtic Park, which I enjoyed attending during this campaign.

Hearing You’ll Never Walk Alone sung by thousands of passionate fans—every time I hear or sing it, I get goosebumps. Those green and white colours floating proudly all around the stadium… Celtic Park is our Paradise, and there is no stadium like it.

There is no club like Celtic, because Celtic is a club like no other.

Looking back over the past year, I visited Glasgow in May and I booked my first-ever trip to Celtic Park so that I could do the official tour.

I told myself, “This will be a fantastic and unforgettable experience—to be at Celtic Park, take a wee tour, and learn more about this great football club.” And I was right!

On the way there, I had a brilliant chat with a taxi driver about how I became a Celtic fan. It turned out he was a Celtic fan too, and he shared his own story with me. When I got out of the taxi and saw Celtic Park in front of me, I felt a rush of excitement—my heart was pounding with joy.

Exploring Celtic Park with a tour guide made me feel even prouder. When he took us to the trophy room and shared stories of the club’s history, it was truly special.

But the most breathtaking moment was walking through the tunnel as You’ll Never Walk Alone played—and then stepping out to see Celtic Park in all its glory.

Celtic is more than just a football club to me. It’s a way of life.

Without Celtic, my existence would feel empty. It’s my inspiration, my love. I will wear the green and white with pride and shout C’mon Celtic! until the very end!

Joining this incredible Celtic family was the best decision I ever made. Without Celtic—and without writing about Celtic—my life would feel incomplete.

I feel like I have found a home and a family amongst the fans of this wonderful club, and I am thrilled to have been given an incredible opportunity to write about Celtic, and I promise to make the most of it.

It is my hope that I can become a great writer like those I admire in Celtic cyberspace right now, my friend James included.

As Tommy Burns, the great Celtic legend, once said: You don’t play for Celtic, you live for Celtic.

And he was absolutely right—because from now on, I am devoting my life to this amazing club, and I cannot wait to experience all its ups and downs with you, and to explore further my passion for it and its wonderful history.

Paulina Jaczek is a Celtic fan, and writer, from Poland. She regularly posts her videos on Facebook, and can be found on YouTube at GlasgowMyLove, where she talks about her love for Celtic and Glasgow in her trademark traffic cone hat!