Once again, the Green Brigade guys excelled themselves, the display against Rangers before the match was fantastic. Someone commented, on Twitter, I think it was, that some of the organisers must have a background in theatre.
I’ve no ideas how these guys would have even begun to organise such a display but what a way to start the match off- so well done to the guys there. Even a non football fan would have to be impressed by the art work and time and effort that went into making such a display.
If they needed it, and they shouldn’t have, I am sure that would have been enough to give some players an extra lift. I think it could also give an indication of how important the club is to some fans.
I see myself as a decent fan because I follow other hoops fans online, read a lot and go to the games but these guys take it to another level.
So on to the game, it was a bit like the Killie game I guess, all players on good form, passing the ball well, moving well and very committed to winning the match.
Happy for Kris Commons to eventually get on the score sheet too. His second score in a short time as his Mrs tweeted that she was pregnant so congrats to the two of them.
The atmosphere at the game was good but I think it was perhaps a bit more subdued than previous derby games (I’ve barely missed a home one for about 15 years).
Why was that the case? Was it a bit more subdued because, as far as the league was concerned at least, the match was meaningless?
This brings me on to my next point, we are often told that Rangers must be allowed into the SPL next year regardless of how that is achieved.
If a severely depleted Rangers are to compete in the SPL next year does that mean that all the derby games are irrelevant as far as the league outcome is concerned?
If so, then the atmosphere wouldn’t be as good either meaning that having a Rangers for the sake of derby games would be pointless.
It is my understanding that most so called ‘neutrals’ enjoy the derby fixture because of the unique atmosphere that the game can bring. Would that atmosphere still be as intense if the match no longer had a bearing on the outcome of the league?
I doubt it.
I also would like to say a well done to some of the Rangers fans who seemed to be in pretty decent spirits, joining in the huddle to begin with.
However, I do sit in the Jock Stein stand and I am not able to hear a lot of the songs and chants that come from the away end. Do any readers sit closer to the away end of the stadium have evidence to suggest that my interpretation of their fans is wrong?
I hope not but if they are, then it’s another reason as to why we actually don’t need them. Although, without going into it in too much detail, I doubt very much that Rangers dying would be the end of bigotry in Scotland.
The bigots will still hold the same views and they will just find another way of channelling their hatred. As the ways to tackle bigotry is a political matter, I will keep it away from this football blog.
The reason I make the point is because I have to remind people that having bigots in Scotland is no reason to want to get rid of Rangers – this is a view that I’ve heard from more than one person on more than one occasion.
The final thing is the amount of players that we have out of contract within the next 12 – 18 months. I’m planning to write a piece on that next so if you can leave as many or as little players as you’d like to see leave in the comments box, I will use those comments for the next piece that I write.
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Have you just been to confessions Steven? Your article comes across as a wee bit sanctimonious although to be fair, you come across as a decent guy, not bitter and twisted. Good of you to point out the fantastic impressive artistic elements of the Green Brigade display last Sunday. Three Hail Mary’s and an Our Father1
Hi Steven i also sit in the Jock Stein stand. I heard the scum singing their usual sectarian bigoted bile. the billy boys no pope of rome and other stuff thats just disgusting. They cant change wont change. There`s also a video on youtube, rangers fans wrecking CP on sunday in full view of the police. Shocking!
To be honest, I’m still not sure whether I want them completely wiped of the face of the earth or not- although it’s a very appealing idea. The main reason for my indecision is that I’m not sure if their death would be good for Celtic or not: every goodie needs a baddie.
However, I do want them punished. I dont want any cover-ups. I want everything exposed, and if they deserve it, I want them to loose all the titles and matches they cheated to win. After that, I want a level playing field in Scotland- no more cheating, financially or otherwise.
I’d also like to hear them apologise for defrauding the taxman, the other Scottish league teams, the people of Scotland, and the football fans of Europe. But I know it’s going to be difficult just get full exposure of their dirty deeds, and I think I might have to wait a long time for an apology.
However, as Celtic fans, I think we should forget about whether they live or die, and just concentrate on trying to get justice. If we can achieve that, and their punishment takes them down, then so be it.
Well if you did sit near them you would have heard the sick bile coming from their mouths , you say you like to read all the blogs ect, funny how you missed the sporting fans of rfc wrecking the toilets of parkhead, and clearly singing their songs of hate while the police looked on, they were in pretty decent spirits alright and as for singing songs about the dead I have no words to describe them………………hail,hail
We should simply concentrate on our own affairs, continue to make progress on & off the park at all levels. We have the chance to make great strides and can put a huge distance between the clubs should they survive in some form or other.
We must capitalise on this opportunity, even down to getting the best of their youth players who will probably be at greatest risk of cutbacks.
Plan ahead, think big and we can make a mark on Europe again.
my partner sent in an email to strathclyde police complaints dept regarding two of stratclydes finest watching as the mm destroy one of the toilets. the video is posted on utube , if you have not seen it yet , have a look and then send your complaint. the 2 police officers involved should be dismissed with loss of all pension rites and charged with aiding and abeting an act of destroying private property.its an absolute disgrace.
sorry about my rant guys but it really is that bad. hh
didnt even mention the filthy songs being sung in front of the police , again no action taken. hh
I read that the Nuremberg rallies were incredibly exciting & that local shop keepers & taxi drivers reported roaring trade at the time.
Whilst rangers misdemeanors are NOT the same the principle is.
Why in the name of money do we have to put up with them.
Glasgow Derby’s have been exciting but we are better off without them if that means accepting rangers and all they stand for!
Gerry
Glasgow derbys have only been exciting because of the hype before and the elation or depression afterwards and maybe the ‘wee bit’, depending on who is blamed, of trouble now and then. The games themselves have been, for the most part, verging on dire, even during the Lions’ times.
The best one I can remember (forgive my laziness in not checking when) was a 3-3 draw on a wet night when both teams were applauded off the park by both sets of fans. Other than that, I am not sure you could have paid me to watch for the football quality.
In support of your argument, I would admit that these derby days, not games, are probably the most stimulating in the football calendar – at least until and depending on the final score.
H H