It’s always amazing to see where support for Celtic pops up across the world. So much so that a country’s President has started a Celtic Supporters Club.
It comes from a long term Celtic fan from overseas who like many has watched the team, been wowed by the players and the support and become part of the family.
Ilir Meta has held many political roles in his home country of Albania, including Prime Minister and he is the current Albanian President. But his latest title is one he has created himself, President of the newly created Rudi Vata Celtic Supporters Club in Albania, based in the bar beside their House of Parliament. Meta has been instrumental in setting up the CSC which finally came into being on the 9 July, a year after he met a bunch of happy Celtic fans in Bosnia.
(2/2)🍀🇦🇱Celtic Supporters Club Albania🇦🇱🍀 had to be opened exactly on this day because a year ago, during an official visit to Sarajevo, I met a wonderful group of #CelticFC💚 fans. Fiery hugs from Tirana for all the wonderful Celtic FC fans around the world. Hail Hail! 🇦🇱🍀 pic.twitter.com/4mnDeF9VWA
— Ilir Meta (@ilirmetazyrtar) July 9, 2020
How did he end up following Celtic. Well, it accelerated and became more public over the last 12 months after he bumped into a group of hoops fans on an away trip on 9 July last year for the clubs 3-1 Champions League qualifier win over FK Sarajevo. But it started a long time before that.
Meta talked in the Scottish Sun late last year to explain. He started to watch out for Celtic as a kid after they played against Partizan Tirana in the European Cup in 1979. He remembers both games well still, it was a big occasion in the communist and secretive Albania of that time. But then his interest depend further when Rudi Vata , the Albanian team captain signed and played for the hoops in the 90’s:
"“When I became Prime Minister I would discuss football with Rudi when he played for the national team. He’d talk to me often about being part of a great club at Celtic.”“I’m a fan of this great club and of the fans of that great club. Once you’re a Celt, you’re always a Celt!“I had the good fortune to meet some Celtic fans in Bosnia last July.“I was on a state visit and I was walking down a street in Sarajevo with my delegation, when we found some fans singing and drinking beer.“I didn’t know they were playing in Sarajevo that night, but I introduced myself, mentioned Rudi and they all wanted videos and photos.It was a pure coincidence but that day I was wearing a green tie!”"
Rudi Vata like many other ex players has clearly been a great promoter of Celtic to others, let’s not forget his own current connection to the club. His son Rocca is signed to the Hoops as a midfielder for the U17s and has played at international level for Ireland’s youngsters.
Meta himself has been very prolific in his support for Celtic on social media, his Twitter @iliametazyrtar (give him a follow, he’ll love it) has been full of posts about the club, possibly more so than about the country he leads! He’s often added pictures of himself with a Celtic scarf or shirt celebrating after matches. And he’s posted plenty over the last few days about his new CSC. He’s also advocating a Celtic fans world convention in Albania, that could be some event indeed!
He’s another fan who just can’t get enough and loves his club, the Sun also reported that when he sends text messages they often end in Hail! Hail! So he’s a pretty dedicated fan indeed. Great to have you with us Mr President!