Neil Lennon as a mirror on Scotland

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When I checked my phone this morning it was full of emails and texts about Kevin McKenna’s seminal article in the Observer on the treatment, or lack of it, Neil Lennon experienced during his years in Scotland. It placed a mirror in front of the former Celtic manager, for Scotland to look at its reflection.

The prime targets were not missed: the Scottish Government, the SFA and the conspicuously idle anti-racism bodies, while the “reserved professions”, the Tories and the C of S were marked for historically nurturing anti-Catholic and Irish sentiment in Scotland.

People outside Scotland will read in horror, perhaps tinged with a whiff of moral superiority that their own communities are not similarly afflicted.  This, ironically, would reflect the moral superiority many in Scotland viewed the English with last week, as a sizeable minority of their apparently poorly-educated, old and white voters backed candidates who align with racist, misogynistic and homophobe views.

In CQN comments section Scotland has often been parodied as the worst small country in the world, which is absurd.  In truth, its panorama of human values vary little from those shared by our neighbours or anywhere across the globe.  To think otherwise invests more weight in racial traits than I’m comfortable with.

Order your dedicated copy of Tommy Gemmell’s All the Best at the fancy new CQN Bookstore.

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  1. Auldheid rivalry is good but I’m afraid it’s impossible in a country riven with sectarianism and still in utter denial. Kevin Mckenna’s line about Scotland’s anti catholic nature that it’s “not really” sums it up perfectly.

  2. TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on

    rock tree bhoy

     

     

    15:32 on 25 May, 2014

     

    The original sadies bhoy

     

     

    It would be best for all If you could get 50 in a row, that way the rest of us could just go straight to page 2 of the new article, no offence intended btw.

     

    …………………………..

     

     

    10 will do thanks. I’m not greedy, just competitive. Someone once got 9. Anyway it’s far easier to scroll past 10 than check if I got all 50 on the first page. I mean, think about it, what you posted just doesn’t make sense. What if I got 40 and then BRTH, bournesouprecipe, auldheid, winningcaptains or my own personal favourite doctor whatfor posted a stoatir of a post and you missed it because you had gone straight to page 2. Can you see the wisdom of what I’m saying?

     

     

    No it’s far easier to scroll past the first 10 only, like I do, when it’s not me podium chasing.

  3. Auldheid thanks for the response and your hard work. Have the SFA indicated a response time. I am unsurprised they are in self protection mode!!

  4. Delaneys Dunky on

    Dallas

     

     

    I am well thanks. I know K McK too.

     

    Glasgow Uni CSC?

     

    Welcome aboard! You’re no a zombie, are you?

  5. Celtic mac yes you are right. It’s much more even in glasgow. But out with glasgow and the central belt it gets worse and worse.

     

     

    And Scotland is not just glasgow mate!

  6. While I am well aware that if we vote for Independence, we are not voting for the SNP, my fear is that they will e the ones to negotiate that Independence and may well form the Government. For me, the OB Act was bad enough, as it was designed to even up the score, as existing legislation only affected the real bigot/racists. As far as I can see, that showed the SNP in its true colours. They don’t see any difference between Irish, Catholics and Republicans. They are interchangeable terms to them.

     

     

    Much, much worse, however, for me was that the SNP Government conspired to lose data which couldn’t actually be lost; data which shows proof positive that Catholics are far more likely to be subject to sectarian attack.

     

     

    Lastly, imo, that self same Government showed utter cowardice and lack of concern when Neil Lennon was subject to the bigoted vitriol directed against him, fomented in part by a shameful media.

     

     

    Imo, things will only get worse in an Independent Scotland, especially if there is need for a scapegoat.

     

     

    I, of course, could be well wide of the mark but I have not seen or heard anything from the Scottish Government to address my fears, never mind assuage them.

  7. BB5

     

    The OB act was drafted with one specific purpose in mind – to criminalize Celtic supporters. And let’s not forget Salmond’ s horror as he contemplated the huns’ demise – ‘Part of the fabric of our nation.’. That’s one nation I want nothing to do with.

  8. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Auldheid,

     

     

    what is the official process if the SFA fail to respond and what is that timeline ? or the response is in adequate ?

     

     

    at what point does the PLC lose faith with the SFA and approach another body that will mediate on the dispute ?

     

     

    Who are those bodies and what is the hierarchy of the appeal process ?

     

     

    Can it be ignored indefinitely without the PLC taking the decision to pursue the matter within a football authority context outwith football ?

     

     

    HH

  9. Richie #TeamOscarForever on

    There’s a few guys playing in this game with black boots on.

     

     

    It’ll never catch on!

  10. Tricoloured Ribbon on

    richie,

     

    I think Hibs players are playing with no boots on.Awful team.

  11. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Are Hibs well run financially ?

     

     

    If PL takes the Arsenal or Real Madrid job what about Rod Petrie as a ready made replacement ?

     

     

    HH

  12. tommytwiststommyturns on

    Richie – it’ll be jumpers for goalposts next. Marvellous!

     

     

    T4

  13. Tricoloured Ribbon on

    DD,

     

    According to Wiki, born in Bath.

     

    Lives now in Dunfermline.Close to the venue!

  14. Snake Plissken on

    For anyone not wanting to attack everything Scottish, Hamilton are beating Hibs 1-0 with half an hour to go.

  15. Ah Don’t hiv a Vote.. oan the Independence Thingy..

     

    But.. that Wullnae Stoap me in makin’ a Predo..

     

     

    Stand By,Folks.. Here it comes.

     

     

     

    “Scotland wull Get.. Mair “No” Votes… than “Yes”Votes ,when Autumn Comes roon,in the Fall.”

     

     

    The Scots,ur a Canny Race…

     

     

    So..

     

     

    Ah jist Canny see ’em.. Voting fur Independence..

     

     

    “It just DISNAE Compute.. Will Robinson.”

     

     

    So..

     

     

    Noo ..Ye Know.

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still Laughin

  16. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    Awe_Naw..,

     

    For me, if the board try and park it, some sort of litigation would need to be thought about.

     

    This is after all about the impact on share prices and dividend returns, innit.

  17. Delaneys Dunky on

    TCR

     

     

    A short journey then. I would welcome her as referee, and I am sure she would love oor company. ;))

  18. Richie #TeamOscarForever on

    Kojo

     

     

    I agree. I think it will be a no vote. But not for the reason you state.

  19. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    canamalar

     

     

    That litigation would need board approval or do you mean disenchanted shareholders against the plc ?

     

     

    HH

  20. derbyshirebhoy on

    Supporters Forum

     

     

    Given the importance of CL Group Stage Qualification for both Plc finances and fan interest does the Board recognise the damaging impact of the combination of a new management team and the absence of the Celtic Park factor in qualifying matches?

     

     

    Will they unlike last season guarantee that the sale of key players will not be sanctioned or contemplated until the outcome of group stage qualification has been settled?

  21. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    Awe_naw…,

     

    All options need to be considered, my first target is the SFA.

  22. leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon on

    Saint Stivs

     

    Not watching and could name you 5

     

    gies a clue :)))))

  23. From Last Thread..

     

     

     

     

    If Everton are Happy enuff tae mak a Play fur

     

     

    Wee..Jamsie…

     

     

    Ah say..

     

     

    “Let’s Talk!”

     

     

    Amount…? Well .Ma Answer tae that Question …is always the Same..

     

     

    “As Much,as the traffic Wull Bear!” ( Traffic…? Whit Traffic?..ed)

     

     

    Yes, Virginia.. Ah am in Favor o’ Inviting the Bid..

     

     

    Fur… we hiv a Young guy ,in the Yoofs who..

     

     

    At THIS STAGE,in is Celtic Career..

     

     

    Is A FAR Bettah Prospect( so , Ah am done tole..) Than Young Jamsie wiz ,at a similar stage.

     

     

    Yes, Young. PAUL MCMULLAN, is a Great Prospect..

     

     

    He has it all.. N.. He Hiv Run a Mite FASTER… Than ,Jamsie..

     

     

    Believe it or No… Fur Ah know it MAY be Hard tae believe… But..This kid..

     

     

    Can… Can!

     

     

    Ball Control?

     

     

    He is a Wizard…

     

     

    Crossing the Ba’?

     

     

    He is Deadly..

     

     

    Low Center of Gravity? ( Very Important..as ye Know. o. Mebbe ye Don’t??)

     

     

    Jist Perfect..

     

     

    This Kid Hiz it…. in Spades, Hearts, Clubs . Diamonds..n.. Pearls!

     

     

    By the Way..

     

     

    Ah Jist Luv Wee Jamesie.. Ah hiv Alwiz.. n.. Ah Alwiz Wull

     

     

    Howevahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

     

     

    He is Damaged Goods.. He has Physical Problems..n. As ye Know. …or..Mebbe ye Don’t..Kojo jist HATES .. Physical Problems in a Player..

     

     

    They ur So..well…Problematic!

     

     

    So..well..

     

     

    Getting back tae that Evertonian Bid….

     

     

    “Come intae Ma Parlor, Said the Spider tae the Fly.. it’s… well.. Ye Know the Rest..( or.. Mebbe Ye Don’t?)

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still,Laughin’

     

     

     

    Gotta get ready fur Mass..Noo..

     

     

    Seeya..

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