Amid all the debate about oil, currency, pensions and a million other items, I’m surprised higher questions have not been asked about our cultural identity. I’ve never said I’m British in my life, I’m Scottish, but the full story is more subtle than that.
Despite being a football fan, a Scot and a Gordon Strachan fan, I watched another channel when Germany-Scotland was on. My sense of personal identity, the anthems I cherish, the emblems I’ve always worn, my ‘national’ community, is the one I share with you.
I know we have a large number of England-supporting, English-Celtic fans here, just as there are Ireland-supporting, Irish, and Scotland-supporting Scots, but some of us feel our strongest affinity among our urban, west of Scotland-based, Celtic community. This community will only ever march behind a green flag. There is nothing wrong or unpatriotic about this, finding your own identity is what multiculturalism is all about.
There are a thousand more national identities than actual nations, but why do many of us feel more like sons of Jock Stein, than Jock Tamson, or (cough) John Bull?
I don’t think there is a single British, or Scottish, cultural institution I feel an attachment to. I was really caught up with the whole Mo Farah/Jessica Ennis-inspired Super Saturday at the Olympics – delighted at the success of British athletes, but later that day, when Ki stepped forward to take the decisive kick for South Korea against GB, I punched the air with joy. The whole Burns Night thing feels like someone else’s party.
In fact, it’s worse than not having an affinity with a British cultural institution, our Celtic community is marginalised by competitors in the south. If Scotland, which is perhaps more bound-up in tribal football culture than anywhere on the planet, had EQUAL access to the UK’s cultural markets, would we feel so excluded?
I know there are many who are happy with the way sentiment is going right now, but if those intent on saving the union want to get busy on some urgent nation-building, they should set about removing the two-tier cultural divide which keeps our club, our community, from the top table. We pay an obligatory BBC tax to subsidise an England and Wales league, our non-tax-based pay TV money goes the same way. This is a distorted market, with Scotland obscured by an England-Wales cartel. As a result we’ve been drained of talent and financial muscle for a century.
Football is not controlled by politicians, but it can be, and is, influenced by them. Westminster is speaking with a more unified voice than I’ve ever known right now. Its voice should be clear: Scotland needs equal access to the UK’s cultural markets, including football.
Our exclusion is intolerable, unfair, has fermented disaffection and must end, irrespective of what happens next week. Why would Westminster politicians be unable to say this?
Let’s hear you.
The fantastic new edition of CQN Magazine is out today. You can read it, for free, here, at it’s dedicated site (don’t try to read on the graphic below).
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How long will GB last this time?
tictaewin
18:41 on 9 September, 2014
Great, the GB (the weans) are back in 111.
Does it matter which section they are in, hardly any of them watch the game. They are so busy banging drums and singing jingles.
Wish they would gie us peace.
———–
Those ‘jingles’ are sung in backing of the Celtic team.
Maybe next time your Bovril is dribbling down your chin or your sucking a boiling sweetie or moaning because Stokes has been caught offside again or it’s too cold or it’s too hot or the crowd is shite, that those singing in that corner will support our team on the park despite all your problems, for 90 minutes.
Try it some time.
I can understand those who have issues with the GB because of politics etc but to moan about them because they back the team?
Ffs get a grip.
Just scanned back and see that mrs acgr has spent 25 years wae that sour faced bassa acgr :)
Congrats mate, enjoy your romantic night tonight …;))
Celtic do squad Vs Dundee
Rhe young hops are current 2/5 to win this game.
Anyone know if this represents a value bet (in the buying money envelop, obviously)..
Should we expect Ce,tic to win this game tonight with the team that’s out?
Pity the GB couldn’t have been back in time for Maribor. The team could have done with a wee lift that day.
Ok ok calm down hamiltontim
I don’t want you battering me at hame time.
I apologise.
philvisreturns 18:42 on 9 September, 2014
I thought you still had another three years to do.
Early release for good behaviour?
Guys Celtic are just 100 votes behind, go on it only takes seconds
http://bgdvuboy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/CELTIC-vs-INDEPENDIENTE.html
Isn’t David Cameron just visiting relatives after all he obviously is of Scottish blood. Just a wee visit home. :-)
And I reaffirm it’s nothing short of a disgrace that the GB were chased in the first place.
Sandman
18:54 on 9 September, 2014
It used to be the mantra of a fair number of nats too.
I suspect it still is with some of them.
tictaewin 19:03 on 9 September, 2014
“As a fan and fan club member, an email has informed me that U2 will announce new music in conjunction with the latest iPhone 6 available in 2 sizes.
Quick….rush…:-)”
Good to see they haven’t sold their souls.
“And as the proud father of a ginger -headed wean!”
Tallybhoy, I’m pretty sure his head will be…well…head coloured.
“sucking a boiling sweetie”
Now that would be funny to watch HT:)
Do squad is dev squad…
Doh…
tallybhoy
19:03 on 9 September, 2014
All good happy clappers then…:)
philvis:
Congratulations mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
tictaewin
19:08 on 9 September, 2014
I’m a peace loving guy, honest!
I think that you recognised that your initial post was a bit extreme is sufficient mate.
GM
I didn’t know how to spell Werther’s Originals :-)
There isn’t one. So if there isn’t one at Westminster and there isn’t going to be one at Holyrood it’s a score draw on that issue.
Would you wager your pension on that assertion?
tictaewin:
If you like peace I can understand your grief at the impending loss of the ‘sound of silence’ that masquerades as an ‘atmosphere’ at non-GB Parkhead. Best invest in some decent ear-plugs. Sure you’re mates will wake you up when Guidetti scores…
Philvis:
Its strange that you’re reappearance correlates with the desperate push to save the butcher’s. Are you Darling’s shock troops? I think we should be told (thumbs up).
Welcome back, where the hell you been????
ernie lynch
19:10 on 9 September, 2014
Sandman
18:54 on 9 September, 2014
It used to be the mantra of a fair number of nats too.
I suspect it still is with some of them.
===========================================
Whit? No Tims required?
In the all-inclusive, altruistic, utalitarian Utopia of Wee Alex’s design?
Surely they’ll find places for us? Maybe some sort of work camps or something…
;))
Celtic Quick News
Guidetti plays for 87 minutes in Sweden U21s match tonight. On top of 78 minutes at the weekend, must be a big plus on the fitness front
Philvis congratulations one more fear dearg as they say in the Gaelic and the worlds a better place
……ok ok…..I’m a fan of the GB…I’m happy they sing, and bring some colour and passion into the stadium..
Which that post had gone under the radar…….
Not with you guys about….
Imran’s ring fence not only froze money in Sevco’s bank account, but also in the accounts of those who owe money to them.
From the BBC
Following Tuesday’s decision, Rangers said: “The company confirms that the Court of Session in Edinburgh has granted the company leave to appeal the court’s decision to grant an order allowing Mr Ahmad to arrest funds in Rangers bank account or the accounts of others who may be due to pay sums to Rangers.”
Pity none of those who were owed millions under the deid club could’ve availed themselves of this facility.
macanbheatha Oscar Abú
19:16 on 9 September, 2014
The nats are asking us to wager our pensions, and more, on less credible or coherent assertions than that.
And I like west wales
Been to slate mines at Ffestiniog.
That was to you Ernie
#YES #YesScotland #HopeOverFear
Embramike
another swede who can’t last the 90, worse than Mikel Lustig
Philvis_it’s_great_to_see_ye_back_CSC
Hx2
What with Ernie moaning that some one else was posting as him today, I’m still not sure the real philvisreturns has returned.
5 lunchtime podiums in a row will convince me he’s the real thing. . .
tictaewin
19:20 on 9 September, 2014
And I like west wales
Been to slate mines at Ffestiniog.
That’s north Wales.
They talk funny there.
Philvis
Welcome back
Btw , huv yoo goat “ra deeds “
Celts,
Who is televising the game on Saturday? I’m oot the country.
Hx2
Sky V.
Mark Guidi….”Sean in the next old firm game, will there be 35,000 empty seats?”
In relation to Guidi’s comments that Celtic Park is missing 35,000 fans each domestic game, due to well…..!
Sean “Mark, there can never be another old firm game”
Mark “Ok Rangers”
That’s twice tonight that old Rangers and Sevco has not been challenged by the panel.
I think they are now in preparation for back tracking, when Sevco go into administration for the first time…. and the point deduction will not be 25 points, which will blow their argument wide apart..
Ayrshire is Green and White
ernie lynch
Let us see how the referendum turns out, and who voted yes or no. That will give us a better idea of how the general election might go next May.
Thanks BT, I wid have been quicker asking ye direct :>)
Hx2
Offski ——–>