Firstly we have the songs of choice. Now I am in no position to feel any sympathy for anyone who chooses to play for Rangers, but there are many that I have done over the past. Rangers have had many great players in their time but one wonders what it is that these great players must do to have a song written for them by the support? Surely they can 'surrender' their songs about their superior backgrounds for a couple of minutes a game to pay homage to stars either past or present?
They have such a rich vein of success and footballing history so why the reluctance to celebrate it in song? Then I heard that they had decided to extol the virtues of a player who hadn't even made his debut yet in order that they could sing a song to the tune of the Billy Boys.
On closer inspection (don't try this at home kids) I heard that they were not signing a song about their latest American import but instead were singing the words "he knew" to the tune of their banned song.
The smear campaign that they have initiated has been broadly decried by myself and many other internet writers so I won't repeat myself other than to say the following:
I am firmly of the belief that they initiated this campaign only as a result of the Billy Boys being banned. The stories in relation to Jim Torbett and Celtic were widely exposed in the 90's yet they wait until the next decade to start highlighting it? Surely if they were so very concerned and appalled by the notion that they generated that Celtic attempted to cover it up they would have reacted to it at the time? So why didn't they? I will answer that for them - it is to fill the void that the banning of the Billy Boys left. This idea is supported by the fact that they have now combined the two avenues of hate into the one font, kind of like killing two taigs with the one stone if you will pardon the expression.
Then we move onto the banner that was produced by The Blue Order depicting Celtic fans chasing an ambulance. This was, as the official statement goes, in response to Celtic always showing humanitarian support and solidarity for those affected by tragedy. I.e. the Shakhtar fans who lost so many of their friends and family in the mining disaster or the Liverpool fans "justice for the 96" campaign.
However given that Celtic lost one of its most famous sons and a former player last season then the intentions of this banner could easily be misconstrued. Especially given that many Rangers fans wrongly believe that Celtic was granted an advantage by the postponement of the Ne'er day game as a result of the untimely death of Phil O'Donnell. I am sure this double interpretation of this banner was not lost on any of them, including those who designed it.
I would like to remind the Rangers Supporters that Celtic's request to have this game postponed was only agreed to by the SPL after it got the support of your own manager - Celtic's request for postponement had been previously declined.
Speaking of banners, it is with great interest that I have been following the Rangers supporters moves to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the birth of Sam English. Whilst I can fully support the tragedy that this young man never quite recovered from the anguish at being involved in the accident that led to the death of Johnny Thompson to have a banner that depicts a close up of the player's right knee shows a more sinister angle to this 'celebration'. The irony of which must be lost to them given that John Thompson was indeed a Protestant.
I also read an article on the internet that attempted to slag a certain well known Celtic historian who had the temerity to quote verbatim a comment made by Celtic Manager Willie Maley at the time of the accident. Maybe this person should read the entire quote in relation to Maley's comments rather than half of it, or maybe the esteemed Mr Potter should have rewritten the quote to suit the agenda of others?
I think it was from a similar source that I read comments that attempt to normalise the content of their "famine" song. In it they make reference to the term "plastic paddy", a term that is unacceptable in itself. They claim that this song is in reference to persons who can trace no family line to Eire but profess to be Irish. When you read the rest of the lyrics to this song how can anyone possibly claim this song is aimed at home grown Scots who feel inclined to embrace the cultures of Ireland?
The first verse of this song asks the question "where would you have been, if we hadn't taken them in"? I fail to see where that indicates the content of the song is in relation to home grown Scots. The notion that this is not in relation to the Irish influx is further contradicted with the following lyrics that appear in various verses of this ditty:
"From Ireland they came"
"You've persecuted thousands of people
In Ireland alone"
Yes that song is in relation to the Scottish Celtic fans who attach themselves to Ireland isn't it?
And so they move on from one hate filled campaign to another seamlessly ensuring a consistent level of xenophobic supremacy is displayed evenly at all times of the year. Instead of looking to more positive ways to support their team and celebrate their heritage, they look to ways to belittle a football club that they have nothing but contempt for. Even when they attempt to celebrate their allegiances to Northern Ireland in the forthcoming 'Ulster Day' they still have to remind their fans not to display anything in relation to paramilitary groups or hatred of a religion that they profess and claim to tolerate. Is it any wonder that only one of the two main Glasgow teams fans is attempting to discard the "Old Firm" tag? And more so what does this say about the support who continues to use this term?
If they were to divert all of this time in energy and devotion to supporting their Football Club and its many achievements throughout their history they may well have a claim to being one of the best football supports in the world, but whilst they still maintain that they must support 'heritage' before sporting endeavour they will always be Scotland's shame.
Misguided and ill advised fools.
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt