Today we remember why Celtic started

You asked for it, many of you campaigned for it.  All of you debated it, expressed a view on it and now your wish has been granted.  The SPL voted 10-1 against parachuting Sevco into the league next season, with only Sevco itself voting for, and the Loyal Resisters abstaining.

Our fellow SPL clubs have spoken “unequivocally”, as have their fans.  To be fair to fans of former club, Rangers, many of them wanted no part in this shoddy arrangement.

Having won the argument we must now win the future.  As Celtic said in their statement yesterday:

“During Celtic’s long and illustrious 125-year history, there have been periods of difficulty.  At these times, our supporters have always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Club.  We need our supporters to be with us now, more than ever.

“We know our own supporters will be acutely aware of the significant challenges that lie ahead.  We enter next season as Champions of Scotland and look ahead to retaining our title and to making an impact in a European context.  We know how difficult this will be and we call on our supporters to join us in tackling these challenges, to take their place at Celtic Park, to invest in the Club and to continue to give us the kind of support for which they are renowned.”

The call has been made.  Now, more than any time apart from when Fergus issued a similar call in 1994, you need to step forward and buy a season ticket for the champions and only club in Scotland who have played their entire history in top flight football.

The important debate isn’t about Newco anymore, it’s now about Celtic.

I’ve read the doom and scaremongering this morning, some of which is downright inappropriate.  The grassroots fans who raised their voices and brought about this situation now have a responsibility to ensure our common future is successful.

There are many desperate for all or some of the 10 clubs who voted No yesterday to fail.  We have to ensure all succeed.  The forward plan for Celtic has to be a forward plan for Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hibs, Hearts, Motherwell and the rest.

All of these teams need a solution which allows them play competitive football in front of packed stadiums and to retain the talent they develop well into maturity.  Any plan which does not aim for this will fail.

If we achieve this, yesterday’s vote will be the day foundations were laid for a stunning sporting achievement.

More later.

I don’t need to tell any of you about Oscar Knox, the three-year-old who is currently going through chemotherapy.  We have all been touched by his photographs and TV appearance, while his dad has kept us up to date on the blog.

If you think our football club is worth stepping forward for, I make no apologies for asking you to dig deep twice today and remember why the entire Celtic project started.  Take a read at Oscar’s blog and get involved.

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