So basically Celtic were asked to wear a poppy on their shirt for one game and Celtic agreed that they would comply with the request. The subject was not up for debate and in truth the request wouldn't have raised an eyebrow at any other club in Britain. But we're not any other club and this was always going to be a contentious issue with our supporters. And in this internet age it didn't take long for heated debate to kick off on the various Celtic sites and message boards.
Like the Green Brigade, The Association of Irish Celtic Supporters' Clubs (AICSC) were another, much larger, group of fans not happy with the decision and prior to the match they released a statement which contained the following paragraph:
While respectful of the symbolism of the poppy in Britain and keeping in mind those Celtic players, employees and supporters who either lost their lives or those of family members and friends in war, we are disappointed at this decision (apparently taken without consultation with supporters' groups) in light of the fact that the poppy is seen as a more divisive symbol in Ireland where many Celtic supporters are based and from where many others claim their heritage.
Pretty much what I would have expected from the AICSC and I thought they handled the situation in a very professional manner. They didn't agree with it, they stated their legitimate reasons why and they formally submitted their objections for the record. And then they moved on.
Another group calling themselves "Celts against Imperialism"(backed by Cairde Na hEireann, TAL Fanzine and the Green Brigade) published a statement marrying the poppy debate to an ongoing campaign against Celtic chairman John Reid, whom they've branded a war criminal, and finished with this statement "It's time to reclaim our club from those who would prefer to wrap it in the Union Jack rather than the Irish Tricolour. PROTEST AGAINST BRITISH IMPERIALISM, WALK OUT OF STADIUM ON 10 MINUTE MARK, CONTINUE PROTEST - MEET AT WALFRID STATUE ".
A wee bit more of an extreme reaction by C.A.I and a cause which gathered very little support inside Celtic Park on the day of action. Most estimates say about a hundred fans walked out at the 10 minute mark and reaction to their walkout ranged from anger and jeering to total apathy. Probably fair to say that online reaction has been pretty similar.
My view on the whole wider poppy episode was a simplistic "wear it if you want, don't wear it if you don't want, and be respectful of other folks with a different opinion". I know, I know, but no Churchillian speeches about your unknown ancestors dying in the trenches at Ypres and the Somme is going to persuade fans from Derry to support the Poppy Appeal and no Republican denunciation of the British Army for the atrocities they've carried out in the six counties throughout the years is going to change your mind if 'the troubles' was just another news item on the TV to you, or if you/your friends/family were or are involved in the military forces of the country you were born in.
I don't necessarily agree with the stance of 'Celts against Imperialism'. My admiration of them for having the balls to stand up and be counted for something they believe in is counteracted by my dismay at the negative publicity they have generated for my club and for the hostility they created when Celtic supporters angrily confronted other Celtic supporters within Celtic Park. They must have known the negative publicity this would attract from the rest of these isles but for whatever reason these guys have deemed it a worthwhile price to pay in order to air their political beliefs.
I think what they must understand is that when it comes right down to it, despite what the CAI may think and contrary to the impression you might get visiting some Celtic fan sites, the great majority of fans inside that stadium are there to watch a football match. Inside Celtic Park is not the place to make your protest and during a match is certainly not the time.
I don't want the protesters shot, I don't think they need a slap, I don't want them banned from Celtic Park, I don't want their season tickets removed. I just want them to keep any future protests outside the stadium.
I'm pretty sure that during that 90 minutes when the Bhoys take the field the majority of fans don't give much thought, if any, to their own political beliefs and they certainly don't want yours rammed down their throats.
Hail Hail!