Controversial Celtic opinions

Thing with PL, he can be a success for the football club and yet at the same time be the guy (along with Desmond for who he works for) that's holding us back.

Both can be true, due to the size of the club we are and the league we play in.

Happy to be the big fish in the small pond, but we are cannon fodder for the majority of his tenure at the club, in Europe.

It's like Jay from Inbetweeners, talks all the big game to his wee group and looks the big lad. But when he gets in the situation to back it with the big boys, pants it.

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I've no problem with basically any song we sing, home or away. Who is it offending? Huns up here that hate us anyway, big deal. People down south that don't understand us or our history? Again, I couldn't give a *.

I'm not saying this is the case with you, but there's a lot of people who care too much about the image of the club in the eyes of people who would despise us regardless. And there's those that just want to be seen as supporting the 'right' causes and will bend with the wind to reflect whatever that looks like right now.

I am also cringed out by kids the whole 'ultras' vibe btw, to me it's very childish. But I don't accept that we should drop any reference to the IRA after 1922 or whatever date because it implies there's a reason to be ashamed of our history. To me, it's very insidious, it implies we were at fault for defending ourselves. I don't buy that and I don't buy the reasons offered for 'toning it down'.

By the same token, I don't agree with some of the political stuff the GB comes out with, but I'm loathe to be a hypocrite. We've always been a club that embraces radical politics, so who am I to say it's out of place? It's part of the club and I don't think we should be censoring each other.

 

I think that's a dangerous blanket statement to make. There are clearly some things we could sing, that we shouldn't. Fortunately it doesn't seem to be an issue in our wider support.

 

I can't imagine how singing a song could be 'dangerous'.

 

My point is that a blanket statement like 'any song at all is fine' is dangerous, rather than the act of singing it. I don't really care about the vast majority of songs we sing but there are certain songs or chants I've heard in my lifetime that shouldn't be sung at games.

I actually completely agree with you that we shouldn't give a * about the opinions of those who would hate us anyway, but there are some things we shouldn't sing about simply because our moral standards should be higher.

 

I agree with some of what you say, and I also find it hard to get offended about anything in life really. Least of all songs at a game of football.

But my pet peeve is this idea that ultra politics is somehow radical or non-conformist or 'part of the club'. To me it is absolute herd mentality, sheep, stuff. It's the safest, conformist, simple minded nonsense without any nuance or scope for disagreement. It framed as edgy and challenging when it's literally the opposite. It's the safest of safe spaces as long as everyone adheres to the exact same politics.

Which isn't to make any comment at all on the actual real life compicated politics of Ireland or Palestine or the Tories, or the monarchy or poppies. Or whatever other complex and nuanced subjects all these ultras have independently researched and considered and yet reached the absolutely identical conclusion on, all perfectly correlated to their favourite football team. But its the worst kind of unquestioning group think and nothing to do with the actual club in any way.

But all that said, I also agree that it isn't my place or any other fans place to censor.

 

I'd like to hear an updated version of the Celtic song as the Glen Daly one is a bit dated now

 

Probably up there with one of the worst opinions I've ever read on this forum tbh.

 

I can respect this. There's a few chants non-politics related that I think are beneath us. But by the same token, I'm not in favour of overly policing this kind of thing because offence is so subjective. If offence is the line, then it's a slippery slope.

I agree that some supporters try to piggybank ther own political agendas onto our political sensibilities. Put it this way, I don't mind that some supporters have very radical agendas, but I don't like it when it becomes exclusive. In the same way when people say 'don't sing republican songs', I've never liked 'no Tories at Parkhead'. It might not apply to me but I don't like seeing people act as a gatekeeper for what it means to be a Celtic fan or whatever else.

The way I see it though, sing and chant what you want, just don't be surprised if someone thinks you're an * for it.

 

Darn the hare, that's an upstart opinion bedad.

 

I know, "darn the hare" and "bedad" . I can honestly say I've never heard anyone say either of those two

 

If we don't sign a striker this is the worst transfer window in recent memory

 

This version would go well at games

 

Celtic’s identity is deeply rooted in Irish nationalism, immigration, and the struggle against oppression, and that’s what makes the club unique. For many (including myself), supporting Celtic isn’t just about football - it’s about heritage, history, and standing for something bigger.

If someone supports Celtic purely because they’re successful or for “football reasons”, without buying into what the club represents, then what really connects them to it? Success in football is temporary - identity and history aren’t. That’s why, even in the tougher years, the hardcore support doesn’t waver.

The deep ties to Irish nationalism and politics is what sets Celtic apart from other clubs and is its unique selling point.

If you contrast Celtic’s fan culture with clubs like Aston Villa or Aberdeen etc., where chants are more generic (but sometimes crass and offensive), Celtic’s songs carry historical and political significance, representing a people and a national struggle. While some chants or ditties may be offensive or crass to some, that’s just part of life and the tribalism of football, and you can’t please everyone.


My controversial opinion is that if someone supports Celtic purely for footballing reasons and doesn’t embrace its historical and political roots, then I am not sure that they can really be considered a “real” fan who can be as emotionally invested.

 

Summer 23 , signed loads and pretty much all *

 

2 words and the second one is Flood.

 

Would rather play young players in at least one of the cup competitions in every round and sacrifice the treble to give them experience and rest our first team for europe.

 

I do partially get this - I am Scottish not Irish and also don't have a family steeped in Irish Catholic history.

I became a proper Celtic fan when I saw Kenny Dalglish play just before he moved to Liverpool so some might argue it's primarily footballing.
But even without any direct Irish heritage, it's much, much more than that to me.
It is the clubs history, the wonderful charitable foundations of the club, the great family feeling, the amazing fans and of course the exciting, attacking and hugely succesful football.
I also can't deny I enjoy the oppressed Irish underdog standing up for themselves against the establishment on the football pitch.

Standing regularly in the jungle as a teenager was an amazing experience I'll never forget, winning the double in our centenary and wee Fergus saving the club, all the way up to today - it's been an amazing ride and I absolutely love it.
So in my mind, I am a true supporter, even without the history.

However, we should not use our clubs Irish roots as a coverall justification for glorifying terrorism or singing sick songs, like at Villa park. In a city where many people lost their lives at the hands of terrorists.

We absolutely should sing Irish songs, we should sing and chant about our team - but there is a line.
Religious bigotry, tragedy, booing elderly war heroes and glorifying terrorism crosses that line for the vast majority of our fans.

Our great club was not set up in that spirit.
CFC repeatedly and publicly stated that this type of behaviour is not welcome but yet, a thankfully decreasing amount supporters still insist on trying to use Irish history as a justification for shaming both themselves and our club.
It's the one thing that truly embarrasses me as fan.

 

Been going to watch Celtic since the late 60's, handed down through family generations. Not so much now but been home and away during good, bad, great and downright * times and all because of my love for Celtic. Don't have any political views or interests (They're all self obsessed *) outside of football and l don't gain it when l go through the turnstiles.

 

I think that’s the fundamental point though. One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, just as one man’s “elderly war hero” was another man’s oppressor. That’s where opinions ultimately differ, and that’s why these debates will always exist within our support.

Celtic’s connection to Irish nationalism isn’t something that a few fans have just recently decided to inject into the club, it has been there from the very start. Whether it was the founding members singing Irish national songs, the club making a * gunrunner its first patron, the Jungle vocally and financially supporting the cause during the Troubles, or the support in Birmingham last week making its feelings on the British crown clear, this has always been part of who we are.

I am not saying every chant or action is beyond criticism. But to suggest that Irish history and identity should be separated from Celtic, or that strong political expression within the support is some kind of modern aberration, just isn’t accurate. It’s as much a part of our DNA as the attacking football you love.