EXCLUSIVE
By Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
An ex-Republic of Ireland international and anti-racism expert has slammed the official inaction at anti-Irish racism in Scotland after the most recent stunt by supporters of Glasgow Rangers.
At the recent old firm match in Glasgow Rangers supporters unfurled a banner with a bus on it imploring that the city’s Irish community should go back to Ireland. The banner was made by “The Blue Order” the Ibrox club’s official fan club.
Kieron Brady, a Glaswegian who played for Sunderland and the Republic, is recognised as one of the leading anti-racist educationalists in the country, who, until recently, worked for the charity Show Racism The Red Card.
The banner is undoubtedly racist. I think many familiar with recent events surrounding anti-Irish racism would opine that the banner is a derivation of the Famine Song’s motivations, only expressed visually as opposed to vocally. The reference to Stranraer and how the word ‘Offended’ is constructed leaves those who view the banner under no illusion that it’s target group is the Irish Diasporic community in Scotland and despite what many in Scotland may think, stemming from the principles of Equality, the Irish community have the same rights not to be discriminated against as any other ethnic or immigrant grouping.”
“My view is that this banner is indicative of a profound intolerance of the aforementioned community. I fail to see how it can be viewed otherwise. I personally find it sad that supporters collective can sate their prejudice by altering the well-documented manifestation of anti-Irish racism. To substantiate the claim of it’s profoundness I would point to the fact that the police, swell as anti-racist groups with expertise in this field had deemed the Famine Song as racist, yet this particular group of supporters still insisted on the creation of a banner similarly themed and were on the face of it were willing to discount any subsequent implications.”
Brady fired a salvo at the Ibrox club itself:
“The attitude of Rangers as a club and the accompanying rhetoric is in stark contrast to how clubs deal with racism by and large in England. Clubs on the whole condemn the racism almost instantaneously and take steps to ensure the racists are located and consequently prohibited from stadia. The lukewarm utterances of those in the employ of Rangers only serves to illustrate that they have comprehended that this represents a unique, significant and serious problem, irrespective of whether we deal in the semantics of a ‘minority’. If there were a forthright perception that this is a small minority that continuously besmirch the name and image of the club then surely it would not be beyond the realms of possibility for those in the higher echelons of Rangers FC to issue a statement asserting that those who hold anti-Irish attitudes are no longer welcome at Ibrox Park. All that said I am aware that Rangers FC do engage with groups campaigning against racism and other forms of intolerance. However, as encouraging as education in the bowels of Ibrox may be through the week, there is a futility if there is a lack of preparedness to banish those from the stadium who are incapable of attendance at fixtures without voicing their ingrained prejudice.
Brady received support from Scottish politicians in the governing SNP. Alasdair Alan the Scottish national MSP for the Western Isles stated:
“However generously, you try to interpret this banner, I am afraid its unambiguous message is that families who have lived in Scotland for 150 years should be “repatriated”. I don’t think Scotland can put up with intolerance on that scale, and I would welcome the fact that all Scottish football clubs are now working to eradicate these embarrassing displays of ignorance.”
Professor Chris Harvie MSP, SNP member for East Scotland said:
”The folk who get their kicks out of the ‘Famine Song’ and this provocative football banner vegetate on their own sad wee planet. No-one wants to visit it or them.”
Patrick
Actually, i do remember Shota Averladze, who was a Georgian Orthadox, crossed himself as a prayer (muslims put their hands on chests alá Samir Nasri, and apparently Geogrian Orthadox cross themselves) he was roundly booed by the rangers fans… he went complaining to some paper in georgia i believe saying it was crazy, and he was the first Georgian Orthadox to bee booed at Ipox. of course the hun scottish media refused to print this.
November 3, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Frank Devine
Can anyone find out the paper that ran the interview with Negri – this is important?
April 8, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Ryan
Tom,
You are probably right about the interview. No matter how much Celtic fans like me think that the media would turn a blind eye or deaf ear to things like that, which they certainly did for decades, a dynamite article like that would have made headlines. Was the basis of the Berkovic story one of anti-Semitism perhaps?
It’s heartening to know that yourself, and doubtless plenty of others like you, couldn’t give a hoot how a player celebrates a goal. Fair play to you. I just wonder why this is still discouraged from within at Ibrox. Surely if it wasn’t then folk would hardly get apoplectic over the sight of a crazy ‘keeper doing the same thing.
February 18, 2009 at 9:21 am
tom russel
Ryan
I have never understood the problem with players blessing themselves.I have in the past witnessed Amoruso doing it in the warm up.It never seemed to annoy anybody then so i don’t know why it does when a player scores.I remember a certain player doing it when he was being sent off which caused a reaction.
As for the Negri article do you honestly think if that was true it would not have been printed in one of the newspapers.Same with the Berkovic one where slates celtic and the fans.To me both those articles were mischief making which like you rightly say the internet is full of.
February 17, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Ryan
Tom,
IF you are right, then surely it’s a great example of the sort of nonsense that can be published on the web which certain people then take as fact. An issue I have long highlighted on these pages.
Even if it is a total fabrication, it still highlights the fact that NONE of Rangers Catholic players has ever blessed themselves in celebration after scoring. Coincidence?
February 16, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Ian
Ryan,
You know what , i can’t remember seeing that one getting a lot of coverage by the Scottish media. the laptop loyal have shown a fondness recently for reading foreign papers,especially Polish, for some reason?
I still personally have a wee chuckle when I think back with fondness of a lovely family photo of Lorenzo Amoruso with a sacred heart picture adorning the wall of his house, and the reaction of some of my less than happy Ranger’s supporting friends.
I look forward to Monday’s papers and the extended coverage regarding some more nasty and racist chanting from the neanderthals….(aye right).
February 15, 2009 at 9:49 pm
tom russel
Ryan
That is a total fabrication which has being doing the rounds for months.There is a similar article doing the rounds concering Eyel Berkovic’s time at celtic.Which can be found on most rangers or celtic forums.No luck
February 15, 2009 at 11:41 am
Ryan
Snore. Someone put a new record on please.
A wee bit of interesting reading for all:-
An extract from an Italian Football magazine, with Marco Negri, about Rangers, and life with the Rangers………………
Marco Negri Interview
L.B. – Luigi Bruno (Interviewer)
M.N. – Marco Negri
L.B. – ” Marco, you left Rangers under very strange circumstances, why was that?”
M.N.-” Strange? There was nothing strange in anything that happened there, they simply did not want me there any longer”.
L.B.- ‘Why was that?”
M.N.- ” The honest answer is that I didn’t know then and I still don’t know even today. Nobody ever explained why I had fallen out of favour.”
L.B.- ” Your goal record at Rangers was fantastic and when fit and available you were scoring for fun. I, and many others still do not understand why you left under a cloud”.
M.N.- “Let’s just say you are getting very close to why I think that I was frozen out. Scotland is a very claustrophobic place where everything is examined and analyzed endlessly. Scottish society is in many ways a backward place”.
L.B. – “What do you mean by that?”
M.N. – ” The culture, the underlying culture of Rangers was not good. The first team players had a habit of drinking vast amounts of alcohol during the week. As you know here in Italy we have a different culture as professional footballers. We know that it is our duty to keep ourselves fit and healthy.
Some of the players there like Paul Gascoigne and Andy Goram would turn up smelling of drink BEFORE training!! I could not understand why such behaviour was tolerated by Walter Smith who was manager then”.
L.B.- ” Marco we are well aware of Paul Gascoigne’s problems and it is sad to see his decline, we saw it earlier at Lazio. Are you saying that the players were out of control?”
M.N.- ” Absolutely, I tried to point this out to Walter Smith several times but he became very defensive and said that I needed to understand Scottish footballing culture.
He would hear no criticism of Goram and especially Gascoigne who could literally do anything he wanted to and still get away with it! It wasn’t just their drinking however, they had some really extreme political and religious views”.
L.B.- ” Could you elaborate on this please?”.
M.N. – ” Of course. They hated Catholics. All of them. I never understood why they were so filled with hatred.
Several of us who were Catholic players and all foreigners were told upon arrival, never to bless ourselves at Ibrox as it could cause problems for us. I began to understand that Rangers was an extreme club very similar to Lazio here in Italy. You know, a right wing club with right wing supporters. I personally am not a practicing Catholic but my wife Anna Maria is, and it used to cause me pain when I heard what they said about my fellow Catholics. Lorenzo Amoruso and Jorg Albertz, just kept quiet and kept their heads down”
L.B.- ” What finally brought things to a head?”
M.N.- ” I was rapidly disillusioned by Rangers and especially their supporters. As part of my professional duties I was strongly encouraged to attend social functions which meant going to several Rangers supporters clubs.
The last one I attended really brought home to me the fact that I had nothing in common with these people. The anti-Catholic feeling was venomous and the songs they sang that evening filled me with disgust. It was at that point I decided not to give my all for a club that condoned such behaviour. I went sick. Walter Smith knew the real reason for my ‘illness’ and he just ignored it.
But I wasn’t lying, I was sick, sick of Rangers and sick of what they stood for and that is the truth”
I didn’t make that up. Anyone have any comments to add?
February 15, 2009 at 7:44 am
william
Did I mention earlier that whilst Celtic fans were patrolling europe fighting, stabbing, shooting, slashing and terrifiying aircraft crew, Rangers were winning another domestic treble. I think that was the 5th I seen during 30 years of supporting Rangers
February 14, 2009 at 12:23 pm
william
So Max, according to home office reports Celtic fans in season 2002-03 recieved 26 banning orders.
Newspaper reports will reveal riots in Celta Vigo, Shootings in Amsterdam.
STABBINGS IN SEVILLE
Planes being rerouted because of the behaviour of Celtic fans.
Celtic Fans charged and having to pay compensation for wrecking hotel rooms in Seville.
Running battles in Blackburn
Arrests in Liverpool. did UEFA and FIFA miss something ?
Here is a serious question for you Max !
Do you know of any other British club who has had more cases of pitch invasions to attack opposing players or referees,
answers on the back of a stamp please.
It is hard to take anyone seriously when they offer support for suicide bombers who kill innocent men woman and child, please explain Max
February 14, 2009 at 12:19 pm
max
That would be the Greater Manchester (we’ll drag them from their beds in their underpants) police.
Auld Lizzies heart must be bursting with pride!!
February 12, 2009 at 4:19 pm
max
We won the ‘fair play’ award from UEFA for our fans outstanding behaviour (The mayor of seville took a FULL page of the evening times to congratulate our support and to welcome us and our friends and families back to the city when ever we choose to go), only to be backed up by FIFA (that would be the world football organisation) to give the world renouned Celtic support the same accolade.
The best football support in the world.
I believe the people and police done a similar thing for rearrangers supporters…..it’s called Crimewatch!
Please look to their site and do your duty as a BRITISH law abiding citizen and finger the attempted murderers and rioters that you may know.
You know it makes sense!
(well mibees naw!)
February 12, 2009 at 4:14 pm
william
56*
PMSL when ? 2002-2003
Riots in Blackburn (26 banning orders)
Planes re routed
Stabbings in Seville
shootings in Amsterdam
rioting against Celta Vigo
Image what they would have won if they had played 9 away games all over europe with NO arrests. OOPS sorry, that was the Bigger Glasgow Team.
What exactly did Celtic win in 2002-03, sorry I forgot for a moment there,,,,, Rangers won another domestic Treble
February 11, 2009 at 7:28 pm
max
Reality check.
FIFA AND UEFA proclaimed best fans in the world.
February 9, 2009 at 3:36 pm
william
So when will Max and Ryan accept and realise that Celtic fans has the worse record in Britain for Pitch Invasions, Attacks on opposition players and staff, attacks on referees and their homes, Missile throwing at opposing player, club officials and referees, Only then will the problem be addressed, The ” we want to be loved self proclaimed best fans in the world” need a reality check
February 9, 2009 at 2:43 pm
max
As you say Ryan, Deflection, Denial and whataboutery are the main sources of Scotlands Shame.
As they say, if you realise you have a problem, you’re half way to solving it.
February 7, 2009 at 1:08 pm
william
BWHAHAHAHAHAHA
Are you 2 jokers having a giraffe.
So Celtic fans outnumbered the Blackburn fans, Tell the doctor to reduce the medicine. Still NO excuse for 26 banning orders from a small tavelling support.
I have no idea the next time Rangers will play in England, It appears that they do not have a city big enough to cope with our unbelievable support. On the other hand Celtic fans rioted up and down the Fulham Road, started fights and got battered in Newcastle, Manchester and chelsea, Let not over looked Celta Vigo either. You long to be loved, but you are detested. you think you have an affiliation with Man Utd, but they detest you, did you like their banner at Old Trafford, “you’ve had your humping, why don’d you go home” I can think of NO other club in the world that has had more pitch invasions or missile throwing incidents. I feel your pain lads, why not support your local team or are they not as militant republican as Septic
February 6, 2009 at 1:41 pm
max
Save your breath Ryan, Some people are right even when proven to be wrong.
Wrong in dates.
Wrong in figures.
Admits only that they know feck all, but only the things they dont want to discuss.
Speak 99.9999% of the time out of sheer ignorance.
and prove with every post to be bare faced liars & sectarian bigots.
I know it’s difficult to ignore such nonsense when it’s so vigourously repeated, but I think it’s best all round if such posters were ignored.
Feeding the dilusionary self importance of an internet stalker is making a rod for all our backs!
To any such posters to which I refer, if you don’t like this site or the opinions aired on it way don’t you find a site that more suits your needs more, I’m sure there are many (I can think of one in particular)and just go away.
Unless of course you’re one of those MANY rangers supporters who just like stirring up trouble.
February 6, 2009 at 9:23 am
Ryan
Celtic fans well outnumbered Blackburn fans at the ground, and that is as well as the 1000’s outside who didn’t even get into the game.
Inverness’ average home gate is what? 2-3000?
I know basic arithmetic and maths isn’t your strong point (in fact what is?) but work it out.
Deflection and denial?! You have done nothing but deflect and indulge in ‘whataboutery’ since your name appeared on the blog. You come up with isolated incidents involving individual Celtic supporters (cribbed form your chum’s website) as if this somehow proves that ‘one side is as bad as the other’. How petty can you get. You have proved that a mega small proportion of Celtic fans are far from perfect. Well done, now tell us something we don’t know.
Do you think for a second that if I wanted to sit in self-sanctimonious, conceited smug arrogance and post in details of every single unsavoury incident involving a lone Rangers fan (or in groups) that there would possibly be much room left on this blog for anyone else to post.
There is no need to go down that route, when Rangers fans reputation is beyond repair from past events, even though it is only 0.0000000001% of them or whatever you are claiming. It is well-known. Like I asked before, when do you think the ‘quintessentially British club’ will be invited to mother England again?
I see, despite the sentence handed out to the loonball thugs who are so incensed at the sight of ginger hair, you still insist on having a pop at Neil Lennon.
There ain’t no talking to some folk. I think I will go and shout at the wall. It might take more in.
One more point Mr Paranoia. I don’t have moderator rights and cannot modify other’s posts. If I did, do you think I would have published half of your ‘Wearrapeepel’ nonsense?
In fact for entertainment value alone, yes I would!
February 6, 2009 at 6:00 am
william
Ryan,
you will be interested to know that a Celtic fan has been sentenced to 3.5 years in Prison for a brutal and cowardly attack on a Rangers fan at Singer Staion, He is currently serving another sentence for other crimes and has a long list of previous convictions, If you search the Clydebank post you will see the article, This happened after a recent Old Firm game at Parkhead which Rangers won 4-2. The same day that Neil Lennon started the fight in Ashton Lane, Strangely this is getting little media coverage and is not being called a sectarian attack. why is this Ryan
February 5, 2009 at 6:11 pm
william
Ryan, you are a hoot, 5,000 celtic fans in Inverness, which only has a capacity of just over 7,000 ?????, where do the Inverness season ticket holders and fans sit,
This gets better by the day
February 5, 2009 at 3:30 pm
william
10,000 fans out of a capacity of 31,000. Did no Blackburn fans turn up ? get real Ryan, so 26 Celtic fans were given football banning orders for drinking and ticket forgery, This can be confirmed in the Home Office report for season 02/03.
As for the proof Ryan, you have moderator rights and are able to cut and paste and modify posts, I do not, maybe you refuse to research my claims, but others will ! thats enough for me.
deflect and deny
Next you ll be telling me that sellic fans did not stab each other in suvill or glass inoncent spaniards in Barcelona
Lol Deflect and Deny Ra Glesca Sellic wie.
February 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Ryan
Your claim that there were only 2000 Celtic fans in Blackburn is absurd as well. Try multiplying that by 10 and you’ll be nearer the true number. I should know, I was there. Rioting? Try drunken behaviour and ticket forgeries and you’ll be nearer the ‘truth’. This I did witness within the vicinity of Ewood Park.
IMO, rioting entails running amok in streets causing heavy damage, overturning cars, ransacking shops and attempting to murder policemen.
Show some the proof Celtic fans were involved in this behaviour. Telling folk to ‘google this’ or ‘google that’ is NOT a valid reference point.
February 5, 2009 at 10:03 am
Ryan
So what is the percentage of 3 yahoos from around 4-5000 travelling fans in Inverness then Mr Vorderman?
I await the announcement of Rangers being invited to a friendly, pre-season or otherwise, in England in the future. Might be waiting a while.
February 5, 2009 at 5:44 am
william
So where are you getting this “thousands of Rangers supporters” What a sad little bigot you are 0.01% of the biggest ever travelling support in world football were involved in the trouble in Manchester. 0.56% of Celtic fans who visited Old Trafford were arrested. 26 Celtic fans recieved banning orders for rioting in Blackburn, thats out of 2,000 visiting fans,if there was that many ? Thats 1.3% thats over 100 times more than the UEFA cup final.
are you forgeting that Manchester made Millions from the biggest mobilisation of people since WWII.
I awaite your next nonsense, its fun making a fool of you, A village somewhere is missing it’s idiot
February 4, 2009 at 3:33 pm
max
My apologies in advance phil.
“Two guys (one plead guilty) 2+1=3
” a FEW thousand rangers supporters ransack Manchester almost killing two policemen (quoted from the GMP, if you’d like me to reintroduce the exact quote from the Detective Superintendent in charge of the case, I’ll certainly do that) and causing HUNDRED OF THOUSANDS, IF NOT millions of pounds worth of damage, (I guess we’ll get accurate figures once all the insurance companies pay out) and it’s all over the ‘media’, THREE Celtic supporters(that would be 3, I would write it in Roman numerals to but I know some posters have a problem understanding them so I’ll make it easy, 3=3% of a hundred, oops sorry!)
are accused of shouting abuse…….”
I’m sure the good people of Manchester find it “priceless” lol!
I’m also just as sure they all find it as highly amusing as some of rangers ’supporting’ posters on this site!
February 4, 2009 at 10:04 am
william
Max,
there were actually 3 arrested for sectarian abuse and breach of the peace, Young Mr Sloan was fined and banned from all football grounds. ( another one for Celtic, to keep them at the top of the banning order league) The other 2 celtic fan’s trials have been held over and one of them has pleaded not guilty,
Do you have problems with reading and retaining information Max,
Lol Now there were thousands of Rangers fans rioting and almost killing 2 policemen, there were Millions of pounds worth of damage. this is priceless
February 3, 2009 at 4:11 pm
max
I agree, after watching Crimewatch the other night and visiting their website to make sure I couldn’t finger any of the scumbags involved, I find it quite extraordinary that the ‘media’and Crimewatch in particular aren’t commiting the same airspace, money and commitement to these TWO guys (one plead guilty) for shouting abuse!
I mean where is the consistency?
A few thousand rangers supporters ransack manchester almost killing two policemen and causing hundereds of thousands, if not millions of pounds of damage and it’s all over the media, three Celtic supporters are accussed of shouting abuse and what?
No BBC 1 News!
No front page specials!
And not a mention on Crimewatch!
I mean, just what is this world coming to!
February 3, 2009 at 3:08 pm
william
I have responded to Ryans unfactual rant on The house of Murray thread,
On a more relevant thread 3 Celtic fans were arrested yesterday in Inverness for sectarian breach of the peace, There were also arrests for the same crime during their last visit, Where is the media coverage ?
February 2, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Ryan
What the good folk on here should always bear in mind that, when it comes to reading or responding to the inane, deluded, loonball rants from a certain poster (no names necessary), this is the very same individual who has posted a comment regarding his beloved bnp only being interested in recruiting ‘true patriots’.
These will be the same ‘true patriots’ who revel in Holocaust denial and have close links with a certain combat 18 (and we all know how they got their name).
This individual tries to tie Ireland and the Vatican / RC church with the most tenuous links to Nazism and Germany during WWII and then call this shower ‘true patriots’! At least he is up front in his sheer vitriolic idiocy.
Dear oh dear. Was your name and postcode recently part of a leaked memo that was published on a website recently? You know the one with details of ‘members’?
Try this site and see if you know of any closet Nazis:-
http://www.localgibson.com/bnp/
Self-denial and delusion are all part of the package when it comes to re-writing history in an vain attempt to pass the buck from one’s own evil thoughts and deeds.
I have read postings on various websites which deny that Rangers FC ever had a sectarian signing policy for a huge slice of their history (1910-1989?). Instead, these rabid delusional loonies actually state that Catholics were either too bigoted to sign for Rangers, or were too scared of the reaction of there own communities if they did! I ain’t making this up and have seen this ‘theory’ posted more than once. They are also usually the same slime who claim that Celtic were started with the sole intention of stopping integration of (Irish) Catholics with the ‘natives’! As if this wasn’t enough of a problem at the time anyway! (No Irish, No Dogs signs anyone?)
The old mantra of ‘keep repeating this to yourself and you will eventually believe it to be true’ is completely relevant when it comes to idiotic revisionism that a small minority of internet jellyheads have been indulging in over the past couple of years. The sort who will joyfully slander dead people who have no obvious comeback.
I wish this to be posted on all of Phil’s blogs for all to read if the house rules do not forbid it.
February 2, 2009 at 8:48 am
william
In the lead up to Manchester 2008, Rangers played 9 away games in Europe, Including tie in Spain, France, Germany, Portugal and Greece. with no arrests ! when Celtic played Blackburn during the 2002-03 campaign, there were 42 arrests after rioting broke out around the stadium , 26 out of the 42 were Celtic fans, Just search “celtic fans arrested in Blackburn” there are various source, and not just blogs from Rangers fans. GFITW. I’ll crack the jokes. no tittering at the back now
February 1, 2009 at 10:30 am
max
Crimewatch FC supporters photographed making Nazi….em… sorry, ‘red hand’ salutes in Israel!
Ibrox? A football ground described by the BNP as a “fertile recruitment ground”!.
January 29, 2009 at 11:36 am
william
My My, so the celtic fans were throwing missiles again, It must be inherent as well as supporting the nazi’s. just following in the foot steps of DeValera, Sean Russell and lets not foget pope pious
January 27, 2009 at 6:56 pm
max
Maybe the Celtic support were totaly misunderstood, we know how easy an innocent and harmless (ahem!) ‘read hand salute’ can be misconstrued as a nazi/fascist salute!
January 27, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Diego
Celtic Park was closed during WWII following trouble at a Celtic-Rangers match at Ibrox.
With Rangers leading 3-0 (they had a full-strength team throughout the war as they all got jobs in the shipyards), Celtic were awarded a penalty.
The penalty could not be taken for almost five minutes as Rangers players complained to the referee. When the kick was eventually taken, it was missed and bottles were thrown from the crowd, for which Celtic supporters were blamed.
Scottish league rules stipulated that clubs were responsible for their own supporters even at away matches, so Celtic Park was closed as punishment.
Fanciful stories about anti-Nazi chanting are simply made-up nonsense.
January 26, 2009 at 8:31 am
william
Canatim.
Please tell me which one of my Jackanory stories about Celtic that you dispute and I will enhance upon them and instead of people thinking you are ignorant, I will prove it to them
January 21, 2009 at 2:47 pm
max
I’m unsure of the exact figures myself william, but maybe you can enlighten me.
How many rearrangers 1st team players were registered as ‘reserved occupation’ workers in Fairfields shipyards during WWII?
January 21, 2009 at 2:06 pm
william
Ryan, your bias and ignorance knows no bounds. The blog you speak of above was built in response to several anti Rangers sites built by Celtic fans who have no idea about the despicable history of Celtic football Club, The anti Rangers site were closed because they contained NO factual content are were solely based on a hatred of everything Rangers/protestant and unionist, A bit like this site really but a little less subtle
January 21, 2009 at 1:36 pm
gerry
Hugh Jones 25
Pray tell what exactly Artur Boruc has done to wind up fans – you seem to be talking like there’s some big list……….
Pray tell why a t-shirt with a photo of the late Pope “wind you up” or anyone else ?????
Celtic fans think that they are lily white – has any Celtic fan on this site ever said that every single Celtic fan all over the globe is a saint ???? Please point out the posts……
Nothing that anybody writes is going to change the attitudes of people like William – their hatred of all things Celtic knows no bounds. He constantly comes out with the jackanory book of Celtic “facts”.
Has he ever once said “Yes Rangers do have a big problem and it needs to be addressed” – or a tiny wee small minority problem as is usually reported in the media (if anything at all) – or is he just concerned with trying to put the boot in to Celtic / Celtic fans ????
With the way things are for your team these days William, it must be quite a trying time for yourself and your fellow follow-followers………
and LONG MAY IT CONTINUE !!!
January 21, 2009 at 10:01 am
CanaTim
Thank God in heaven my parents immigrated…go Leafs go!
I might be a celtic supporter but I like to think an unbiased enough one to see that the difference bwtwen the two sets of supporters is nil.
January 20, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Ryan
So Celtic Park was closed for a month during WW2 but we don’t know the details why? I’m sure a lot of grounds were closed for various reasons at this time. Like I said, please show me some irrefutable evidence.
Russel, I have been to the blog you mention just once before and I have no wish to go there again. The bloke who runs it is the same disturbed nutter who started the vile bjk campaign. What a pathetic site, detailing things like individual Celtic fans being arrested for offences away from football. Imagine a club with such a huge support having a few bad apples! My oh my what a disgrace Crawford!
If you want to bleat about one-sided agendas go to that site. If some sad individual wanted to make a Rangers equivalent I don’t think there would be enough room in cyberspace.
January 20, 2009 at 5:28 am
russel kerr
Spuds
I never said it was a great source but it is there in black and white from newspaper cutting.As are other stories backed up with pictres from newspapers, teletext and celtic fan sites.
So that site is wrong because it paints celtic fans in a different light from the one we like to potray.
January 19, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Spuds
Russell
Using that blog to get facts is like using wikipedia to write your thesis
January 19, 2009 at 1:20 pm
william
Ryan, you posts about the floodlights is hilarious and thats now twice you have posted that, and you are the only person I have ever heard say this.
If you search the issue you will find the evidence that Celtic Park was closed due to Celtic fans flippant support of the Nazi’s. Maybe they sided with Hitler because he was a devout Roman Catholic and personal friend of the then pope pious,
January 19, 2009 at 1:15 pm
hugh jones
John i don’t have a problem with Boruc or any other player blessing themselves .The thing about Boruc is he goes out of his way to wind up fans not just Rangers fans.The pope t shirt being an example why choose to wear that in an old firm game?If that had been a Rangers player we would never have heard the end of it.Again that never offended me but some people it did.As to say Rangers made up the red hand salute is rubbish where did you get that from?I know the fallings of Rangers and there fans and can accept how offended some people get by there actions.The thing is Celtic fans think they are lilly white and don’t cause offense.And the minute anybody questions it they are sectarian,anti catholic,anti irish or racist.
January 19, 2009 at 11:06 am
russel kerr
Ryan just go to If you know there history blogspot and you will find all the facts.Celtic park was closed for a month during ww2 but it doesn’t give the exact details as to why.There is a piece from the Herald on that site about it.
January 19, 2009 at 10:52 am
Ryan
A quick question all, and a genuine one at that. Can anyone out there provide me with clear and transparent details of when Celtic Park was closed due to pro-nazi activity. Seriously, if this is true I need clarity, not just internet tittle-tattle.
Or does this line go in the bin with the laughable claim that Celtic left the floodlights on at Celtic Park during WW2 to aid and abet the nazis in finding their targets?!? Ironic really as floodlights were not installed at Parkhead until circa 1959! In fact the 1st floodlights used in UK football was in 1957!
The worrying thing is people believe this stuff because, well, they really want to and it suits their agenda. I suppose if you target an impressionable young mind at an early age, or indeed brainwash people enough when they are full of drink in the lodges and pubs then peeepel start to take stuff as FACT. Simply typing FACT (in big capital letters) after a statement on the internet does not make it true. In your head maybe, but not in the real world, i.e, outside of the West of Scotland and Ulster.
January 19, 2009 at 9:28 am
John Owens
Di Canio may be a fascist but never done anything to promote his views while at Celtic, in fact this only came to light after he left. The old red hand salute lie, what is this, loyalists have themselves even said they dont know what it is, the club itself made this excuse up. I agree flower of scotland is racist. In regards to Boruc, he blesses himself at every ground every week and if it winds people up then thay have the sectarian problem, displaying any sign of faith should not cause offence.
January 19, 2009 at 7:42 am
hugh jones
Ok John lets deal in fact and not Green Brigade propaganda.Celtic park closed during the war for pro nazi chanting your explayer di cannio facist.Jock Stein i have no interest in point scoring over child abuse.I have no interest in Boruc trying to wind fans up .The famine song maybe racist but then so is flower of scotland.Is your just a fat eddie murphy racist or is that just the craic.Where are the nazi salutes you talk of i have never seen them? I have seen red hand salutes.Anti catholic singing happened in the past not anymore as far as i know.But remember TGFITWE were prone to a bit of sectarian singing themselves.
January 18, 2009 at 12:36 pm
John Owens
hugh jones- If we get rid of those that laugh at the death of brit soldiers we have moved on, that is not sectarian though. Your supporters still have to get rid of the racists (nazi salutes,famine song, nakamura abuse etc). You need to get rid of the sectarian bigots (booing Boruc for blessing himself, anti-Catholic singing etc). And what about the scummy lie you peddle in regards to Jock Stein, disgraceful trying to sully the name of a dead legend, scum. Get your own house in order before chastising others. By your theory we have one thing to change. Those at ibrox have a lot, lot more.
January 18, 2009 at 9:29 am
hugh jones
The use of the scotlands shame tag for Rangers is so laughable.Coming from the fans of a club who all through there history have been every bit sectarian as Rangers.The treatment of there greatest ever manager was a disgrace.The treatment of the current manager because he is not celticminded is a disgrace.The treatment of Neil McCann because he was a catholic that signed for Rangers was a disgrace.And as the earlier poster said the treatment of Mark Walters was a disgrace.So much for all are welcome as long as your not any of the above.The Mark Walters treatment is always met with the same response.We are disgusted with it and we got rid of the racists so that makes it alright.Start to get rid of the morons who laugh at British soldiers being killed and i might believe you have moved on.
January 17, 2009 at 1:25 pm
John Owens
steven james- Thanks for highlighting your sectarian racist nature. We do not attack british or protestant people as which is obviously the paradox of what you hate, Iriash and Catholic.
John Craig- I think you meant ‘our old favourtite’ in reference to hitler, and i agree he is a favourite of the nazi saluting rangers support such as yourself.
Bryan- As you will be aware, Celtic supporters have a great affinity with the people of Palestine and support their fight for freedom, much like a certain current scotlands shame player. SS fans seeing this started flying the israel flag, in support of their genecide.
gary- the racist abuse of mark walters still makes me feel physically sick, the only positive which came out of it was it encouraged Celtic fans to drive racism out of the support. SS supporters have a long line of racial abuse to players, too long to list here.
January 17, 2009 at 11:45 am
sean kelly
To the last four posters you are hate filled bigots.UP THE RA
January 16, 2009 at 1:16 pm
steven james
God will you stop already with the bleating of being offended.It really is tiresome i can’t believe the furor over a silly banner.Why don’t you just have an all out attack on all things British,proddy and Rangers.This is as much about your hatred for these things as it is about this banner.
January 16, 2009 at 11:03 am
John Craig
Typical Timmy rubbish the most offended people ever.What does not offend you people, i remember.The IRA,Hamas,Taliban,Sadam Hussien,Red Brigade,ETA,Robert Mugabe and of course or old favourite Adolf Hitler.
January 16, 2009 at 10:54 am
bryan goodman
Paranoia alive and well in 2009 sad little men.Why not write about real issues affecting the world.Gaza for a starting point maybe even a piece on the pope and his homosexual phobia.I forgot Rangers and a stupid banner are more important.
January 16, 2009 at 10:19 am
gary collins
Rubbish its as racist as a gollywog time to grow up and move on.If you are looking to be offended then you will.I find things offensive but i don’t run to the press and uefa bleating about it.Mark Walters at Parkhead for his debut now that was racist.It seems to be ok to attack anything British/English in this country.The minute there is any poking fun at the irish its crime of the century.Lets be honset guys its hatred of Rangers nothing else.
January 16, 2009 at 10:07 am
John Owens
The fact is no matter how tame the banner is or whether you personally where offended, the banner is racist. The underlying disgusting current of this is the fact that if it was against any other ethnic minority bar Irish, there would have been uproar.
January 16, 2009 at 5:51 am
jim stepny
John you are wrong it was Rangers head of security that asked the police to remove the banner.I have to agree with the earlier post. whilst it may have offended some people it is relatively tame compard to some of the stuff in the past.I am not saying that makes it alright just that it is tame in comparison.
January 15, 2009 at 8:47 pm
John Maclean
1. Did the banner insinuate (rather unsubtly) that people of Irish descent should take a ferry from Stranraer back to Ireland? Yes.
2. Is this a racist sentiment? Yes.
3. Is this acceptable in the 21st century? No. Yet to many people in Scotland it clearly is.
4. Have Rangers condemned the Blue Order, publicly or in private, over this banner? No.
Them’s the facts.
January 15, 2009 at 8:31 pm
thomas davdson
Can i just say to you tony no one was arrested for the banner.If it had been bigoted then the persons displaying the banner would have been arrested.
January 15, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Tony Brown
Forgot to say Thomas… so the banner got taken down by police quite quickly did it?
Well that’s OK then. Couldn’t possibly have been any bigoted intent involved if the police took it down quickly.
January 15, 2009 at 4:49 pm
thomas davidson
I stand corrected people were offended i am of irish descent as well .I never saw anything mocking the Famine on the banner and i don`t find it racist.As for the blue order you are telling me Rangers were involved with making that banner.And just for the record i am catholic and still have relatives in County Mayo.Before i am accused of being anti catholic or anti Irish.And i am also not a Rangers or Celtic supporter.I was at Ibrox as part of my job on old firm day.
January 15, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Tony Brown
As a Celtic fan I wouldn’t say I was offended by the banner at Ibrox, it was a totally predictable ham-fisted attempt at “banter” which only served to exemplify your average Rangers fan’s obsession with all things Irish/fenian/catholic.
What is more irksome is the spurious “Sellik fans hud a banner thit wiz jist the same as oors so how cumz only us git pulled up fir oor banner?” paranoia emanating from Rangers fans.
Each banner had a bus depicting a Celtic fan boarding.
The Celtic banner consisted of a green white and yellow bus emblazoned with the words “CHAMPIONS” and a sign indicating that Stranraer lies in the direction opposite that of the bus’s intended route (the significance of which will become clear).
I think even the most paranoiac of Rangers fans would be stuggling to find anything offensive about that. Mind you anything green is generally offensive to your average Rangers fan, especially straws and pepperami bars, so we can’t make that assumption.
As for the Rangers banner – red white and blue bus emblazoned with the destination “O’FFENDED” – nice touch there with the apostrophe to make it suitable Irishey – a sign sits nearby indicating that the bus’s destination is Stranraer – the ideal place to catch the ferry to Larne. Quite a coincidence eh?
A not so subtle graphical representation of the Famine Song. Mind you that’s just banter isn’t it?
The Celtic banner was merely a “We are the Champions and we are going nowhere you can stew in your own bile” response.
The banners, while similar, where actually night and day, the Rangers banner languishing in the depths of a 300 year old bigoted darkness.
Neither is the irony of this “easily offended timmy” stuff lost on Coronation Street and Rab C Nesbitt script writers who now live in fear of reprisals from outraged ReaRangers nuts.
January 15, 2009 at 4:23 pm
tony mcatee
In response to mr davidsons reply above ,first of all as a third generation native of ireland,i was just as offended by this banner as i was about rfc and the orginization calling itself “show racism the red card” attitude and non proactive response to the famine song when it was allowed to be sung all over the country in every stadium for months before it was deemed rather grudgingly to be “racist” If my ancestors were asian or from anywhere else in the world for that matter, would the same tollerance or such ignorance have been shown, i think not.
And on mr davidson`s second point of “the banner being taken down by the police” that my friend is where you are missing the point, the banner was made by “the official supporters orginization” within rangers football club. Which only demonstrates the ethics and racist views that are tollerated within the walls of ibrox park.
January 15, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Marty Gotti
Thomas do you think it is appropriate to make fun of over a million people dying.As for your referance to The Hokey Cokey i have never heard any Celtic fan complain about it it was just made up by some hack called Alan Carson who writes for The Sun.A poor effort to make Celtic fans look offended for next to nothing.
January 15, 2009 at 3:50 pm
thomas davidson
Forgot to say the banner was took down by the police quite quickly.
January 15, 2009 at 3:21 pm
thomas davidson
I find it really hard to accept any Celtic fan would have been offended by that banner.Especially as The Green Brigade unfurled a similar banner mocking it.Nearly as silly as the hocky cokey.Clutching at straws.
January 15, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Marty Gotti
Good to see someone take these morons on.The B.O are commisioned by the club itself and they should be taken to task on this.Unforuanatly they wont be.The anti irish element are Rangers will just not go away the club will either have to ban them or the police will have to deal with them.I cant see neither happening.
January 15, 2009 at 1:52 pm