I spoke to Phil Mac Giolla Bhain, a man who wears his Republican heritage on his sleeve, about the hostile reaction to his comments on modernising the Celtic songbook a few months back. Phil found himself to be an easy target for conspiracy theorists who turned on him for issuing a request to an end of political chanting. I’m sure Neil Lennon will not find anything like the same reaction to his comments in the Sun today, but it remains to be seen if anyone listens.
Neil said, “It’s important that we put a general message out that these chants have no place around our club. To be honest, we are better than that as a club and we always have been, we just don’t need it.
“We are and always have been a club open to all and we do not have issues around sectarianism. We have our own values and traditions but they do not include these chants. We don’t want them at matches and they must stop.”
This is not the first time Neil has given the same message this year. After his earlier comments I actually heard, “Who is Neil Lennon to tell me what I can and can’t sing? I’ve been going to Celtic Park a lot longer than he has.”
We are in a classic social paradox. The reputational damage of political singing is not felt by those who sing, and the risk of personal consequences arising for any individual singer is probably around 1%. And let’s be honest here, for all the supportive flags, banners and “I’m Neil Lennon” proclamations, is Neil respected enough to be listened to, or has he become a modern Che Guevara-poster boy?
Whatever you think of Neil, or his rights to say what you can or cannot sing, he has the best interests of our club in mind whenever he speaks on this subject.
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Estadio Nacional says:
17 November, 2011 at 20:03
Ehh niether are you pal
BSR
My opinion – it’s just retaliation, simple vindictive retaliation.
Have they accepted that they are Sectarian? I see little evidence of it.
Are they repeatedly told by the media that they are?
Nup.
With what they’ve done for decades and decades in Scotland are they (in media terms) synonymous with Bigotry and Sectarianism?
Nup.
Rather the most byzantine thinking is consistently and expertly applied to the Tims when getting out the message about… err…..Pro IRA, Illicit,….errr…. Sectarian….err Offensive chants.
That kind of f’ up needs planning and careful execution.
HH
oglach UFB 20:05
Never said I was.
M8 what’s this legal defence fund for?
Is it for that boy who was arrested?
hen1rik
Many of you will be aware of the case of the young boy from Section 111 who was held in prison from Friday of last week till late last night when he was released, on the orders of the Lord Advocate, from Polmont Prison. All this for the terrible crime of singing a song at a football match two weeks previously. This case highlights the fear that many of us have around both the introduction of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill and the zealous nature of the policing of football in the run-up to it.
Many of us are clear that if we cannot defeat this Bill then we will need to be ready to defend Celtic fans on a case by case basis and some of the existing supporters’ organisations have committed themselves to this. However, there have been a number of calls for a Defence Fund to be set up and this has now been done.
http://www.celtictrust.net/?func=d_home_article&id=328
The FAC Legal Defence Fund has now been launched. A bank account is being set up which will have as its main signatories Alex Mosson, the former Lord Provost of Glasgow and a member of the Board of the Celtic Trust; John Andrews, the President of the Celtic Supporters’ Association and Alan Horne, the President of the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs. In the meantime, you will be able donate via Paypal on those sites belonging to the member organisations of FAC who have this facility ie the Celtic Trust, the CSA, the Affiliation, the Irish Association and the Green Brigade.
If you are donating to the Fund in this way, please remember to indicate that the donation is for the FAC LDF. If you forget to do this on Paypal then a simple email with the details to the relevant organisation should suffice.
The Celtic Trust paypal button can be found at the bottom of the home page and is marked Donate.
The BB @ 19.28
Said what things 15 years ago?
googybhoy ♥ Celtic says:
17 November, 2011 at 18:39
harryhoodsdugbitmesays:
17 November, 2011 at 18:38
St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The only country in the world not to have St Pat’s parade is Scotland. Plenty of other marched take place right enough. HH.
That is a question I would like to ask Salmond.
In fact I think I will.
*********************************************************
Coatbridge holds a St Patrick’s fortnight. It has parades, masses, parties, street celebrations, banners and if they hadn’t filled in most of the canal they would probably dye that green as well. The Garngad started on a smaller scale a few years back and the last I heard it was slowly gathering momentum with a parade into the City Centre.
As far as other Marches go, I have personally held the lead banner from the Garngad down to Queens park for republican and hunger strike commemoration parades. I have been filmed by the police and have filmed them back.
The songs debate is a complicated issue as is the proposed ridiculous ‘offensive chants legislation’. Unfortunately politicians are essentially walking egos and it may require a legal challenge under the auspices of the ECHR to have it emasculated beyond use, just like weapons bunkers :-)
However, tomorrow should be even more split on the blog as Neil Lennon has promised the BBC to take questions on his statement at the pre-Inverness press conference.
Hail Hail
Estadio
The bould b’hoys 19:57
See that 3-0 game I thought we played terribly, absolutely poor.
Yet walked away happy at a 3-0 hunping but we played badly, they were there for more than the taking they were there for humiliation that bight.
EN
There was Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the Green,
John Clark, McNeil and Kennedy, the best you’ve ever seen,
Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, Johnny Divers and John Hughes,
and a hundred thousand Celtic fans will proudly spread the news.
Aye its Celtic, Celtic
Thats the team for me…..
Paul67 et al
15 April 1997, does that date ring a bell? Should do. That was the date of Brian McLair’s testimonial at Old Trafford. Four of us drove up from London, Celtic songs and Rebel songs all the way up. Watched the game amongst a mix of Celtic and Manchester United supporters, some of whom were part of the same families. Great occasion in many respects except in one respect, the constant chants and songs in support of the IRA. Suffice to say we did not join in, it just did not seem right. We generated a whole lot of hostility that night, hostility which we could have quite easily avoided, but choose not to do so.
!5 June 1996, does that date ring any alarm bells? Should do.
bankiebhoy1
You hit the nail on the head with “acceptance”.
No, they haven’t accepted it and Craig Whyte proved he was ‘one of them’ with one of the few soundbites he’s made.
He said and I quote paraphrased “Rangers will not be held solely responsible for sectarian problems in Scotland”
Do you think he knew what was coming?
The white trash foot soldiers singing TFS are merely pawns, the real problem is the establishment of their entire existence, masquerading as a Football club.
MadMitch
Did you have the same POV 15 years ago ?
If not,…Whats changed ?
Estadio
The town where I work
http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Best-Cities-to-Celebrate-St-Patricks-Day&id=3865377
On the map
U
the bould b’hoys
“Did you have the same POV 15 years ago ?”
I see you have been sucked in to speaking MadMitchese.
Could you not have said ” DYH the same POV 15YA?”
Thank you OGLACH UFB. You dont need to give me a history of CFC. I am with you on the Irish Nationalism but where is the link with PIRA? We faught and continue to fight as we are the underdogs but looking back is not the way to go forward. We are a CELTIC family and we must instruct our children that some things done on both sides are best left in the past and encourage them to look to a brighter future. I readily accept your well meant sentiments.
Hail Hail
Is there a game this weekend? You mean I am sitting here in Inverness for nothing?
Score Prediction
ICT 1 Celtic 3 Illicit songs 0
a fine 3 pts for the Hoops
Time for us to unite against the skullduggery of the establishment and their grenade launchers.
More importantly have you written to your MSP to oppose the bill!
HH
CRC
DSing the songs.
Keep the issue of Ireland’s history to the fore,…
Why should it be hidden….and who wants it hidden ??
Why do you support the IRA ?
1. I don’t
2. Because……….
Whats the problem ?
crc
“Score Prediction
ICT 1 Celtic 3 Illicit songs 0
a fine 3 pts for the Hoops”
What did we get the 3 Point fine for? Was it the singing?
SFTB
Haha….I was tempted to do that aswell…Freudian slip there kinda
The Bould Bhoys,
Many things.
The owners.
The Internet
The peace process.
New Legislation
hun FC financial state
Celtics financial state
I hope we are on an ingratiation exercise with another countries authorities rather than the Scottish authorities.
HH
BSR
With the skullduggery and funny handshakes associated with that mob I wouldn’t be at all surprised.
Our detractors used to call us paranoid for entertaining thoughts such as those……but now we know better.
There was an ominous ring to that outburst from the ‘secret millionaire’ but also something of the inevitable.
They have powerful, effective operators in positions where agendas are easily manipulated.
Where we might differ tho’ is that I think their club is only a conduit for a more general scottish problem with racial and religous intolerance towards The Irish / Catholics.
If the huns disappear another culprit will take its place in this regard.
HH
Saw a hun the day with three lions on his chest ….
Frikken love Blair Drummond Safari Park
SFTB
Better a fine of +3, rather than -10 for winning tarnished trophies :-)
haven’t cuddled you at 5s for a few weeks, so will store this one for later.
HH
CRC
Time fur Fitba’… that Pesky “International Break ” Is Nearly over.. thank,Godot!
Well.. Here are Ma thoughts.. oan the Type of Team Formation and Player Types..which are needed,
in order, fur us to compete with teams such as The Hated.. Northerners.
when ever we meet,at their Home stamping Grun
In Ma Selection. Ah am Presuming the Charley ,is still incapacitated.
If he were available, Ah wid hiv him in the Place of Commons.
Our Team Formation ,must be completely.. Defensively,Orientated.
Which Means.. 4-5-1
Ah wid field this Team agin the Northerners.
Forster
Cha Matthews
DanDan Loovens
Forster Kayal Wanyama Ledley Commons
Sammi.
Yep… Sammi.. he is showing IMPROVEMENT..in his Last coupla Games…and everyboady knows that
Ah am Big Supporter of any Player who shows ,Improvement.
Kojo
The Honest Mistake (Sickened) says:
17 November, 2011 at 18:52
You may be right that PSG differences based on race. Do you live there? I saw a healthy ‘mix’ in one end and all white in the other. However, as I don’t live there I accept what you say.
Being perfectly serious about feeling the need to suss out the mood before declaring my allegiance to Celts.
Not sure if you have been in a pub in the Home Counties recently. I have, and there is some hostility evident/being vented against Celts – I agree it was never like that before. Previously could comfortably declare a Celt and generally met with open arms. I am telling you my recent experience has been that the ‘view’ has changed.
HH
M
trumping = grumping
Sepp Banter?
Kojo
Ive spotted your deliberate mistake.
MWD
your remembered those colours yet?
HH
CRC
EDB
All good thank-you.
Have to say I find the currant(sic) debacle reminded me of that old Divide and Rule chant.
Celtic fans are arguing (and falling out) over something that is emotional, and emotions are being raised via the media.
But that is the purpose of the media, to shape agendas, mindsets and attitudes, and to make a little money of course.
The last three years have shown something is rotten in Scottish football, at least to those interested enough to observe closely.
The rights and wrongs of the RA chants pale into insignificance when placed alongside events of the last few years.
There is a bigger gorilla in the room, and I do not mean the commercial viability of Scottish Football, or the RFC tax case, they are cheeky wee monkeys by comparison.
Paul mentioned a slow train wreck the other day. There is a bigger one unfolding which is financial and economic, and has been unfolding for a few years.
There are demonstrations all over NYC at this moment, subway stations are being occupied along with Wall St….Normally apolitical people are getting involved because they are getting ripped off.
All over the ‘developed’ world such public outrage is taking shape.
Even banking staff are being laid off in record numbers….
The Banking fraternity need people distracted and arguing among themselves….
Why?
Potential Answer…
Events is Scotland are, it seems to me, a microcosm of what is happening all over the world…
People are under pressure and getting angry. They need somewhere to vent it.
So…Divide and Rule, made to measure for the local culture is the MO.
Come to think of it, off the top of my head…
Alex Salmond? Banking Fraternity.
Dermot Desmond? Banking Fraternity.
Never underestimate the Banking Fraternity….
Hope you are well EDB,
(and no sorry you asked) ;0)
Take care.
Ah meant tae write..Forrest ,of course~
Kojo
Maybe not using disgusting language on the blog would be a great help for Paul67 who has to mop up the disgust on behalf of other decent posters.
Sepp Cantor?
Oops…
Another Potential Answer
CRC
You’ve lost me???
MWD
My dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Bamboo..
Pal.. You are Correct..
One way to draw attention..is.. the Old.. Deliberate Mistake.
Never Fails.
Kojo
Bamboo
I saw it as well. He has Loovens in defence! Loovens!!
HH
CRC
Sepp Patter….