When Anthony Stokes picked himself off the ground having won a penalty yesterday his eagerness for a piece of the action was clear. Having missed the majority of the season through injury he is a player with a point to prove.
The penalty correctly went to Kris Commons but Anthony still had an opportunity to remind us what a valuable player he can be. He is not the strongest or most skilful player at the club but he is a natural goal-scorer.
Competition for a place in Celtic’s attack has seldom been more acute. Lassad, Miku, Samaras, Stokes and Watt are all pressing for a place alongside Gary Hooper. Each of them will have to consider the possibility of new arrivals in the summer, when securing a place in the squad, never mind the starting line-up, will be a challenge.
Anthony’s return to fitness, and form, is a timely reminder of what he brings to Celtic, and what we have missed once or twice this season.
On Friday 1 March the Lisbon Lions will be at the Kerrydale Suite providing commentary and answering questions on their magnificent European Cup final win in 1967. This has never happened in 46 years since that game, to say it is a unique opportunity fails to tell the whole story.
The event is part of our 125 4 125 campaign – central to reinvigorating the charitable spirit which is part of the club we love. It will be a family occasions, tickets are available at £10 for adults and £5 for children. The night has been organised by several fans working in conjunction with the people at Celtic Charity, so please do your best to support this great occasion. Individual tickets or tables are available, details here.
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Paul 67
Read moonbeams above. This is only one of many ‘open’ statements delivered over the last few months. I hope you’re not ignoring this in the same vein as Peter?
This is a serious Celtic issue and can do significant damage. In corporate circles it might be identified as a ‘risk’ to the business. The direct business ‘risk’ may be small but I would caution that the indirect business risk is not small at all.
I cannot condone my club being active in the harassment and intimidation of fellow fans. I will not stand idly by and watch this happen. If it continues I will not renew my financial commitment for next season.
The club needs to engage NOW and needs to find a proper end to this criminalisation of a group of (largely) young lads.
This stinks. If you choose to ignore it that’s fair enough………… but in my view you would be ignoring a current key issue for the club and the support. It is frankly of much more import than the latest rantings of Chuckles, JABBA and the Zombie Nation.
You and all other new media leaders need to comment, influence and follow up.
HH
i think stokes IS one of the most skillful players at the club
Absolutely disgusted but not surprised at the GB statement. They should be applauded for putting up with it for so long.
The PLC shamelessly hijacked the “Just cant get enough”, “Glasgow’s Green & White” and the Barca tifo for advertising and to promote merchandising without giving any kudos to the group – shocking!
To not only stand by and do nothing but also be complicit in this treatment of our fans is completely unacceptable.
I despair to where this will lead if it’s not swiftly dealt with.
Sort it out PLC or it won’t just be the GB who stop attending.
I feel sick.
Do the Green Brigade sing IRA songs? As a supporter who has no time for the IRA and for any Celtic fan who glorifies them, I find myself quite highly attuned to the old rebel songs when they are sung…
…But from where I sit in the North Stand I cannot say I’ve heard that kind of thing from them.
Paul67… I’m not sure the statement from the GB can be classed as “from the shadows”. Seems pretty open – and damning – to me. Peter Lawwell needs to be careful here. Just as the club enters calmer financial waters, he is in danger of alienating a very substantial part of the customer base.
I’d be astonished if felt no need to respond to a statement which essentially calls him a liar and accuses him of collusion in police victimisation of Celtic fans.
bournesouprecipe:
With respect, you do not know all the details about my life. I cannot see how PL can fully support the GB while they continue to sing ‘offensive’ songs. The police obviously must also be asked about their curious activities.
Repost: from previous article.
I find it astonishing that this has been allowed to fester without any dialogue between both sides why?
I can honestly say that even during the C-for-C days that we had a modicum of communication between the Group – the Board and other Supporters Organisations.
praecepta
19:26 on 17 February, 2013
Aside from the ‘Moniker’ (a word that I find pretty distasteful – even though I am known to swear) – this whole thing smacks of an inability to communicate.
No matter which way we look at this – there are terms & conditions that come with the purchase of season or match-day ticket.
Question(s) for Peter – exactly what is perceived to be a breach of those T&Cs? Exactly what are the GB doing (not doing) to comply with them? If there is a case in point (or law) – why not categorically state what it is:
Is it an H&S issue?
An operational issue with the stadium licence?
Does it relate to Civil Order/ Disobedience?
Does it relate to breaking Common Law?
Or – is this a case of taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut? God help us (the Celtic Support) if this is an exercise to sanitise the fans as part of the buzz-word – stand-alone Club!
No communication = no reconciliation!
MWD
It should not be difficult for the GB to gather and collate that information.
Their statement calls Lawwell a liar.
A serious accusation against a very senior employee of Celtic FC.
He must refute……or walk.
And his response should be immediate.
IMO
John O Neil
19:29 on
17 February, 2013
Have a lie down for a while.
John O Neil
19:29 on
17 February, 2013
Have a lie down for a while John.
John O Neil
With redoubled respect – What offensive songs are sung by the GB inside Celtic Park?
Tomorrow evening I will be attending a supporters function at which Peter Lawwell will be in attendance. This subject is bound to be discussed. If it is and if he makes any kind of comment I will do my best to post it on the blog
stand up for the green brigade – in all new posts
The boys of the old brigade is not a PIRA song , it is a song in praise of those who fought in the 1916 uprising who brought about the Republic Of Ireland which is a member of the EEC. A song which I imagine to be akin to that of South African freedom songs under Appartheid and Polish songs to rid their homeland of communism.
Roll of honour is a political song, sung in memory of prisoners who starved themselves for a the right to be seen as political prisoners.
None of these songs could be construed as glorifying the PIRA.
We are a support that has a political conscience, support of the Palestinian people being another example, we support oppressed people’s the world over.
Right on cue, board supporters questioning the motives of the victims.
make no mistake the corporate response will be to come out all guns blazing calling everyone liars, which will suit the sychophants and lock tuggers, the best parallel being the rotten mob ignoring the writting on the wall, when their club were in trouble.
I thought there was something going on when paul67 censored the lyrics to an Irish folk song last week, it appears there is a co-ordinated effort to get rid of the “Irish tosh”.
Paul67
19:21 on
Well someone’s telling Porkies either to you or the GB or maybe both.
Why would a senior fan representative report to the GB that Lawell said in a meeting that he “intends to see the end of the group”
Something stinks and the silence on this issue over the previous 4-5 months from Celtic FC has been damning.
We as fans deserve to be told what the Plc’s stance is on the harrassment of a section of our support.
Robert Kelly would be turning in his grave at the recent attacks on our cultural identity from those in power at Hollyrood. If Lawell or anyone else has been assisting Police in harrassing Celtic fans then we wont stand for it and will use the one weapon at our disposal, ie the pound in our pocket.
Zybszek
Yours is by far the most thought provoking comment on the issue so far.
I look forward to hearing your views as this develops, having been here before.
There isn’t enough info to form a proper view yet, IMHO.
sixtaeseven
Why should the Green Brigade meet Lawwell “behind closed doors” if Lawwell has lied to them already?
Oh, sorry, he’s going to tell the truth from now on.
Would you trust him now if he’d lied to you before?
I happen to think that the statement puts the focus of blame very strongly at the door of the club and even some other supporters’ groups. I hope it isn’t true but I am worried about this development.
The Offensive behaviour act strangely seemed like more of an excuse rather than the main thrust of the thing. It seems that the GB consider that Celtic themselves consider them to be an embarrassment and something they’d rather not have in the stadium.
It leads to one important question – why would Celtic want to do this?
It is important to remember that these are only allegations at the moment.
The club MUST say something pronto.
I do fear the worst.
prestonpans bhoys:
Thanks for writing. My point is that it is rather challenging for PL. However, I cannot see PL wishing to get rid of the GB. It makes no sense. Some posters here seem to believe everything they read on Celtic sites. I remember a few people here suggesting that the Irish flag was to be removed from Celtic Park. Such utter nonsense!
Evening Celts
I confess to being a little confused over the tales from the green brigade of harassment. Police video camera squads. Stop and search.home raids etc.
In this age of youtube when everyone is a film maker. Where is the wealth of pics and videos of all this stuff. I have seen little despite how much i search. Lots of talk and conflict with the club and police.
Show us the evidence
Hail hail
a poster earler mentioned hassle in 108 with a i paid my money can say what i want brigade. same in my section. particular scapegoats over the yrs have been agathe lenny mcgeady an sami to name but 4 and it really got me down. put me off going to games. the gb have been a breath of fresh air. they bac the team an create an atmosphere not here since jungle days. both sides need to get together as i think the board wud b unwise to underestimate the illnfeelin amongst support just now. we are in a position of strength, a GOD. dont undermine it an destroy it from within.
John O Neil 19:29
What songs did the GB sing?
They have actively changed songs to appeal you may want to report the 445 Fenian Army as they do sing the type of songs you infer to.
Just a thought? the huns were fighting down at Clyde, the numerous instances that they have over stepped the mark this and last season and yet the GB are targeted by the Police and Celtic????
strange world we live in.
Customer satisfaction….when the customer is actually satisfied is normally demonstrated by the happy customer telling 7 others of their good experience.
However when the customer has not received satisfaction they then proceed to tell 12 others of their poor experience………
It appears self evident what will happen re the GB. They each need only tell say 5 other friends of their experiences with the police and Peter Lawell’s official CFC indifference and there is a ready made dissatisfied customer base approaching 5,000 season book holders……
Season books are already declining so who will fill the GB area much less the other absentee sympathy protest votes?
CP looks magnificent when it is full but it doesn’t take much of a decline in numbers to appear very patchy when numbers drop under 35,000.
This is all about the orcs having no public platform for their sectarian vitriol and bigotry.
This is about the police being “jobsworths” and creating bad guys to justify their bloated salaries, benefits, overtime, junket trips and operational budgets.
This is all about the Edinburgh political coterie not being of the Celtic persuasion and letting us know it
This is all about Scotland being the “best little country in the world”…….at being little
DONT VOTE FOR THEM
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar.
IMO, the treatment of the Green Brigade is nothing short of a disgrace. Perhaps it is time for the rest of the Celtic support to stand up and be counted?
You doing anything after the WeeOscar4Life cycle run? :-)
HH
CRC
Johnoneil
You don’t have a clue what you are talking about. Stick to your right wing rants at least we get a laugh at them.
I believe that up to this point no supporter has been convicted of any of the charges brought by the police , if this is indeed the case why are the police not being challenged on the complete waste of taxpayers money .
There must be some legal avenue whereby this persecution of sections of the Celtic support can be challenged .
Finally , what is it PL finds so offensive about the GB ( if indeed he does ) that he wants rid of them .
HH
MWD, John O’Neil and others
I really know where songs in support of PIRA originate from – somewhere to my left ( my better ear) – but whilst I am not such a great fan of songs in favour of PIRA ( at matches) I am amazed that this anyone thinks this is what this is about.
As rebels the GB and their songbook always seem remarkably mild mannered and hard to take much offence to largely bereft of so called ‘add ons’ and much that isn’t more than vaguely republican. I am not, as I say, a great fan of political songs or banners at the fitba but compared to what I used to hear before about 2000 inside CP and maybe 2005 at away games the GB are pussycats.
I respect your opinions though.
Jimbo
During the European run Stoksey was very much the forgotten man, Tony Watt had even pinched his song, so it was with great delight I watched a sharp and focused Tony Stokes put in a sparkling display yesterday, crucially a team performance where he unselfishly set up others for the glory.
His return to 1st team action is most welcome. The others will need to be on their toes. That’s how it should be.
paul67,
i cant believe PL treats ‘lateral movement’ as being a major issue in the general situation between the club/police and GB.
you, like me, have been going to games for many years before all seater stadia were the norm.
i dont remember any situation where fans were genuinely fearful of their safety, even at places like brockville and easter road, it was just a great part of the experience with fans crammed in and going in any direction they wanted.
To me the whole lateral movement nonsense is just another fake stick to beat us with
all those fans who have been hurt by lateral movement over the years, feel free to put up your side of the arguement
Burghbhoy 1917,
I disagree with you regarding the political nature of the support. I suspect it is much, much, more varied than you characterise it as (and not nearly as “left-wing” as is often supposed).
However, if the issue here is politics, it would appear to be more specifically related to the SNP’s recent law on offensive behaviour, which gives the police plenty of scope to define “offensive” in ways which suit them.
This is potentially a perfect storm for a big club like Celtic, whose support is drawn largely – though not exclusively – from the non-native population.
A Scottish nationalist government offering a Police force which has a distinctly non-Celtic cultural make-up, carte blanche to criminalise Celtic fans….
…For the first time in a long time Celtic FC and the majority of its fans are most definitely outside the centre of political power in Scotland.
Very worrying.
bournesouprecipe:
With even more respect… I am not saying that these songs are always sung at Celtic Park. However they are sung sometimes. The problem is away from Celtic Park usually. Therefore PL cannot fully endorse the GB. Oh, and I am at Celtic Park sometimes! I am not defending the police action which appears to be extreme.
philbhoy – it’s just the beginning!
19:49 on
17 February, 2013
sixtaeseven
Why should the Green Brigade meet Lawwell “behind closed doors” if Lawwell has lied to them already?
Oh, sorry, he’s going to tell the truth from now on.
Would you trust him now if he’d lied to you before?
———–
How do you know who has lied to whom?
Songs debate.. yawn ..so I seeTop gears on
Italiabhoy
Agree with a lot of what u say
ffs – this is NOT a songs debate. It is NOT a health and safety debate. We have here a sinister orchestrated campaign of harassment and intimidation by the Police against a section of our support. Whilst the Polis are at liberty to undertake such dubious practices the co-operation of the Club in this is THE issue that MUST be dealt with.
I do not agree with everything the GB does or says. I understand the difficulties caused by BOTOB being sung and lateral movement for the Club.
BUT
These ARE small issues compared to the deliberate pursuit of a section of our support made up mainly of daft young lads with little malice, hidden agenda or badness in what they do.
This whole business STINKS and the Club is NOT responding appropriately.
HH
theweegreenman
Think their ultra group has had worse recently.
sftb,
QED I think eh
Row z
Spot on mate, well said