Forever tarred with a blue brush?
One news item today from goal.com was headlined: "Second Time Lucky? Manchester Prepares For Celtic Fans" Manchester United are preparing to welcome travelling Celtic fans less than six months after Rangers supporters ran riot in the city..."
Second time lucky? If Celtic fans don't riot then Manchester will have been the beneficiaries of some good fortune? Would that be the same good fortune that every city we've visited in the last thirty years has benefited from?
When a writer could even ask such a question it immediately makes you think that a bit of ignorance must go a long, long way at goal.com. Why would the question of rioting Celtic fans even enter into anyone's head.............
Then you remember "the old firm" - I am my hun brother's keeper it seems.
"Manchester United will cautiously welcome the Hoops faithful to Manchester for their Champions League clash on October 21 - the first of a 'Battle of Britain' double-header - hoping against a repeat." continues the goal guy in his quest to ensure that it stays impressed upon the readers what a scary time it could be when the Celts hit the town.
The official statements are as follows:
Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill (endorsed by Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police): "Manchester is looking forward to welcoming Celtic fans visiting the city. We're a city that's passionate about football with a proud reputation for hospitality. In return, we are sure that Celtic fans will want to uphold the great reputation of the club and its travelling supporters.
"We are urging supporters who do not have tickets not to travel to the city. Ticketless supporters will not be able to get into the game and facilities will not be provided for fans to watch the match elsewhere. We promise to show the greatest respect to visiting Celtic fans and are sure that they will respond in kind by abiding local drinking and littering bye-laws."
Peter Lawwell: "Celtic supporters have a tremendous reputation and have become renowned across Europe for the positive manner in which they travel and support the club."
There's no doubt in my mind that the Celtic fans who go to Old Trafford will behave as they always do and they'll prove to the good folk of Manchester that we're not the same as them, we're not "as bad as each other" (© scottish media) and we're not the flip side of the hun coin.
We are Celtic supporters and we'll come to support our team whilst having a good time. We'll renew old friendships while making new friends and, like always, we'll be welcome to return again.
Hail! Hail!
One news item today from goal.com was headlined: "Second Time Lucky? Manchester Prepares For Celtic Fans" Manchester United are preparing to welcome travelling Celtic fans less than six months after Rangers supporters ran riot in the city..."
Second time lucky? If Celtic fans don't riot then Manchester will have been the beneficiaries of some good fortune? Would that be the same good fortune that every city we've visited in the last thirty years has benefited from?
When a writer could even ask such a question it immediately makes you think that a bit of ignorance must go a long, long way at goal.com. Why would the question of rioting Celtic fans even enter into anyone's head.............
Then you remember "the old firm" - I am my hun brother's keeper it seems.
"Manchester United will cautiously welcome the Hoops faithful to Manchester for their Champions League clash on October 21 - the first of a 'Battle of Britain' double-header - hoping against a repeat." continues the goal guy in his quest to ensure that it stays impressed upon the readers what a scary time it could be when the Celts hit the town.
The official statements are as follows:
Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill (endorsed by Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police): "Manchester is looking forward to welcoming Celtic fans visiting the city. We're a city that's passionate about football with a proud reputation for hospitality. In return, we are sure that Celtic fans will want to uphold the great reputation of the club and its travelling supporters.
"We are urging supporters who do not have tickets not to travel to the city. Ticketless supporters will not be able to get into the game and facilities will not be provided for fans to watch the match elsewhere. We promise to show the greatest respect to visiting Celtic fans and are sure that they will respond in kind by abiding local drinking and littering bye-laws."
Peter Lawwell: "Celtic supporters have a tremendous reputation and have become renowned across Europe for the positive manner in which they travel and support the club."
There's no doubt in my mind that the Celtic fans who go to Old Trafford will behave as they always do and they'll prove to the good folk of Manchester that we're not the same as them, we're not "as bad as each other" (© scottish media) and we're not the flip side of the hun coin.
We are Celtic supporters and we'll come to support our team whilst having a good time. We'll renew old friendships while making new friends and, like always, we'll be welcome to return again.
Hail! Hail!