A young Celtic fan, whose heartwarming moment with BSC Young Boys supporters went viral after the UEFA Champions League match at Celtic Park on January 22, has received a remarkable invitation to further strengthen their “unique connection.”
Thanks to the generosity of BSC Young Boys, Joshua McLaughlin and his family from Elderslie will travel to Bern, Switzerland, to attend the club’s Swiss Super League match against Yverdon on April 5.
Joshua’s journey also ties back to an earlier invitation from Celtic, where he was offered a Directors' Box experience for the Scottish Premiership match against Dundee on January 25. However, with that fixture postponed due to storm damage, Joshua has been assured he will still get to enjoy the experience at a future game.
The eight-year-old first captured hearts on social media when he attended the Champions League league-phase match with his family and formed an unexpected bond with the visiting Young Boys fans.
“Joshua loves to go along to see the supporters, particularly at European games,” said his dad, Kevin. “Last night, he was fascinated by the noise, the colour, and just the general good nature, humour, and banter of the Young Boys fans.”
As Joshua stood mesmerised by the energetic away section, he began waving at them. To his delight, they waved back. Encouraged, he walked closer, and as he did, the supporters raised their voices in song, welcoming him into their celebrations.
“The moment he went towards them, they sang to him. That’s when he really started having fun,” Kevin recalled.
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The connection deepened when a few Young Boys fans were allowed through by police to hand Joshua a club scarf and stickers.
“He was over the moon. On the way home, the car could have floated back itself - it was like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” his father added with a laugh.
What started as a spontaneous moment of joy has now blossomed into a lasting friendship. Joshua is excited to meet those same supporters again in Bern, where he plans to bring a gift from Celtic’s superstore as a token of appreciation.
This heartwarming story highlights football’s power to forge meaningful connections across borders. Joshua and his family will travel to Switzerland as honoured guests, experiencing the iconic Stadion Wankdorf and deepening the bond formed on that unforgettable night at Celtic Park.
The club’s generosity has extended beyond the invitation itself. BSC Young Boys have covered all travel expenses for the family and even sent Joshua a Young Boys shirt and ball as a special gift.
This remarkable act of kindness is a testament to the friendships that can grow from a simple exchange of smiles and songs. Joshua’s story is a beautiful reminder that football is more than just a game - it’s a universal language of connection and goodwill.
