Controversial Celtic opinions

I agree we are far more than a club, but that will mean different things to different people.

Yes, our roots, history, and traditions are steeped in Catholicism and charity (primarily in aid of Irish children living in poverty in the East End). Still, our dual identity—Irish and Scottish—is reflected in our name, and we have been open to all since the beginning.

Willie Maley was one of the most influential figures in the first 50 years of our history. He saw Celtic as a focal point for the healthy expression of Irishness while understanding that we should never be insular and exclusive and that future generations of supporters would become increasingly removed from their Irish roots and see themselves as Scottish.

I was Born and raised in Dundee. My father is second-generation Irish, and my mother is third-generation Irish. I have always had a deep interest in my heritage, but I was a kid when I started supporting Celtic; I had no idea where Glasgow was or about Celtic’s Irish links. I supported us—when United won the league and reached the European Cup Semi-Final—because my father supported Celtic. (He started supporting us as a child—when Dundee won the league and reached the European Cup Semi-Final—because his uncle supported Celtic.)

I began to learn about our history—the origins, the links to Ireland (that reflected my own), the stories and songs, the triumphs and tragedies, and our reputation for exciting, attacking football backed by fanatical support—and I fell in love with all that.

I loved the strips; I loved the badge; I loved Celtic Park.

I think the club must always fly the flag of Ireland (alongside the saltire) and promote our roots and history. Our hardcore support will always be there. The fans should sing Irish ballads and Celtic songs and pass the songs and stories down the generations, but thirty years into a peace process, it’s probably time to ditch the IRA stuff.


Charity and social inclusion, the tricolour flying above the North Stand, the statue of Brother Walfrid outside the stadium and Irish songs inside the stadium keep us faithful to our roots. Entertaining, attacking football, never-say-die spirit and The Celtic Story is what will continue to draw support from far and wide.

 

Letting Taylor run his contract down is really stupid of us.

 

[QUOTE="made in ireland, post: 7829792, member: 18165"


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.[/QUOTE]

What happened to a club open to everyone?

I'm not Irish, have no Irish heritage and have no emotional investment in ireland. So I'm not a "real" fan?

Sorry mate, that's a load of sectarian nonsense and an attitude that only belongs at the other lot across the river.

 

I totally agree our history and heritage is an integral part of our identity - I clearly stated that.
It should not be separated but neither should it be distorted.

What isn't part of our history or identity is perpetuating religious bigotry and glorification of what is clear and obvious terrorism - as opposed to freedom fighting.
A minority conveniently distort and merge the two to justify their behaviour.
In Birmingham of all places.
The fact that we in Scotland use a special word for religious hatred (sectarianism as opposed to racism) to somehow dilute it, tells you a lot.

The notion that you are a not real fan unless you fully embody that so called history is utter nonsense.

There is a line that most reasonable fans understand and don't cross and you don't need to be an Irish historian to know when it's crossed.

 

Fair play, however no sure why you are you are wasting your time on this Brit apologist *. He clearly lacks the mental capacity to debate any of this. Just leave him to wallow in his own ignorance and bigotry.

 

Celtic fans who support Scotland are lesser fans.

Real Celtic supporters wear the Republic of Ireland shirt and have bacon and boiled cabbage at least twice a week.

 

Only real supporters eat raw cabbage with their boiled bacon....

 

Aww, f**k… I can't stand cabbage

 

You're forgetting something else it's rooted in - Catholicism.

If we're being elitist about it, gets yourselves to Mass ya filthy heathens.

 

If you are genuinely stupid enough to think that sectarianism is a special word that only applies to Scotland then I think that pretty much explains everything you have said so far. You just carry on living in your own wee bubble.

 

You know who wouldn't like misbehaving ultras and their pompous edgy politics....Marists that's who. And they would probably vote tory as well

 

I doubt they would vote for the current crop of Tories who aren't actually conservatives in anything but name. They're a kind of liberal combined with laissez-faire economics. If there's anything worse for families and social morality than a combination of liberal social values and laissez-faire economics, I've yet to see it.

I suppose if someone were to combine * social values and communist economics, that would be worse; but until someone does, I can't imagine strong Catholics voting for this bunch of Tories (which doesn't mean they'd approve of any of the current alternatives).

 

He didn’t mention Ireland there.


I don’t really agree with him about if it’s not embraced but if it’s actively rooted against and disliked aye they can * off for me, nothing to do with Ireland that. I’m more thinking if it’s one of those knuckledraggers that’s deeply xenophobic/racist, send them home, blame immigrants for all their issues then they can * off. Far as I’m concerned are we * open to all, the creeping up fascist, Neo-* insidious full movement just now can * right away from us and should never be welcome

 

When I go to the games and sing IRA songs this is what is going on in my mind. I can appreciate other peoples points of views and totally see why other people disagree. IMO the "glorifying terrorists" thing that has creeped in is just * and comes from folk who are just stupid or trolling @Sween

 

You’re going to have to explain what exactly is “sectarian” here.

I just genuinely feel sorry for people whose emotional connection to Celtic comes from something as shallow as liking the colour green or taking a fancy to Kenny Dalglish, or liking the crest etc. That’s not me being funny - I genuinely think they’re missing out on the passion, the meaning, and the history that makes Celtic more than just a football team. It’s not just about watching a game on a Saturday; it’s about being part of something bigger.


Calling that “sectarian” is just stupidity.

 

He did actually mention Irish nationalism a number of times in the post i responded to. That was just the last paragraph I highlighted.

And for the record, while don't embrace Irish nationalism, rebel songs etc I fully understand and respect the rights of the vast majority of support who do, to express these beliefs.

I do object to being told I'm not a real fan of a club I've followed for almost 5 decades because a certain political agenda is not high on my list of priorities

And with all due respect mate, what are you talking about with neo nazis and fascists and *?

 

I like lots of these types of songs and when I listen to them I never feel like I'm glorifying terrorism. But I can see why people sometimes view them in such a way (without being stupid or trolling). As I said earlier, songs, flags, and nationalism is very contextual. Songs can mean something different in different contexts. And generally I think it's pretty intuitive in general to feel when certain songs will be viewed negatively in certain environments.

I guess where we disagree is the extent to which football is an appropriate platform for such songs and discussions, and to what extent people should adjust their behavior that although not negative in their mind, may be viewed negatively by others.

 

More in reply to club open to all *, we’re not. We shouldn’t be. And honestly it goes hand in hand with the immigration and hatred against others that aren’t born on these shores.


And that right there is very opposite of our history and culture of the club. If a ‘Celtic fan ‘ go against that history and culture of the club, I can’t see why Celtic is the club for them to follow

 

Don’t think it is really. And I would guess we have offered him a renewal at some point.

 

We have, and reportedly, he has knocked it back - twice. In September and again in December BR spoke that he hoped that GT would agree to the new deal, but GT is 27, might feel as though he wants a new challenge, could also be that he wants a bog pay rise as he is at his peak pretty much, so may be keeping his options open, knows that Celtic do want him but wants to see what other offers are out there as he is currently free to negotiate with other clubs since the turn of the year.