Lennon Calls For An End To Offensive Chanting

Our footballing history would never allow us to become an average SPL club.

 

But you lived the experience. I understand that but you're asking young fans who haven't to carry the banner as it were. They have no real idea of what you're about and sooner of later your values, whilst you consider them ideal, become corrupted by others. The old saying giving someone an inch and they will take a mile comes to mind. I don't suggest criminalising anything but I do suggest that people use a better forum than a football park.

 

Take away our historic political affiliations and our support for the men and women who fought the British in the war and we are just another football club. Maybe similar to a cheap Irish theme pub. We can wear green and white and fly the flag above the stadium however we will not really be the same.

Millions throughout the world know the name of Glasgow Celtic. This is not just because of the football is it? It is because we stood shoulder to shoulder ( metaphorically) with revolutionaries throughout the world. We supported the rights of the PLO, ETA, ANC and other so called terrorists. We stood for the underdog and the down trodden. We are the original "People's Club".

Without this we are like any other football team. i.e Glasgow Hibernians.

 

As long as the Irish tri-colour flies proudly over Celtic Park, I will continue to sing songs of Irish history.

 

dont care what people sing as long as we perform on the pitch.

 

I know what you mean. But some of the posts the anti rebel brigade are making. Are offensive and ignorant.

 

Hail Hail.

 

I don't think Lennon even meant the republican songs some on here are going on about for their own personal dislike of them. He obviously meant the IRA chants at tynecastle.

 

I think we should try to bare in mind that Lennon hasn't commented on specific songs or chants in his statement. Until he does, any discussion in here is purely speculation.

When I was young, I learnt rebel songs in the Jungle. Many included referrences to the IRA. My dad learnt them in the Jungle when he was young. Supporters young enough to be my kids have blasted the same songs, and others out more recently.

That's at least 3 generations.

To say those songs are not a part of our club, is to ignore those generations and the background that led to the formation of Celtic Football Club. The era in which we were set up his highly significant in our history, and is the foundations on which we were built.

I can understand that some people may be offended by certain sons/battlecries but why are they offended?

Perhaps it could be down to a lack of understanding & appreciation of what those songs mean. In that case, a little tolerance and education on their part might be a more appropriate solution to the percieved problem.

Perhaps it could just be that some are involved in a media war against our club & its roots.

Do they have a right to stop us celebrating our hertitage, especially on our own turf?

Our songs do not glorify killing anyone of any particular religion or race. They are songs which celebrate the struggle of people over oppression. Is there anything so wrong about that?

The arguement that the IRA is a "terrorist" organisation was always a dodgy one IMO. Depending on what news media you read, the concept of a freedom fighter & a terrorist is an interchangable expression. Both refer to the same situation yet conjure up opposite mental images.

But even those that would use the word "terrorist", show a lack of undestanding of contempory events and are, to a point, living in a blinkered past.

The old IRA went on to form the Republican government in Erin, which even the British Queen has now acknowledged. So why should there be a problem with songs that refer to them?

The more modern version of the IRA now have a ceasefire and are dedicated to helping the North solve its intrinsic problems in a peaceful way.

There wouldn't be peace in the North if it weren't for the IRA. So what grounds do people have to be offended if their battlecries are heard?

During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, wearing shamrock or anything green was considered a terrorist offence and people were hanged for it.

If we allow this percieved problem with our songs to continue, IMO it will put our society back to those times.

Hail Hail.

 

can i ask, why do people sing political/religious related songs at a football match?

 

That is brilliant Seamus

 

Because we are more than just a football team.

 

One of the best posts I have read on here.

 

but football should be completely separate from politics and religion. some fans give this club a bad name because of it.

 

Another fantastic post Seamus, spot on mate

 

So you think we should stop singing The Fields Of Athenry and Let The People Sing?

 

I don't really care if rebel songs are being belted out at games. The courts have said there is nothing wrong with these songs and that's good enough for me.

If the club come out and say stop all rebel songs then fair enough.


No bigotry here, just love for a football club

 

I have noticed that the vast majority of Republicans on here do not force their opinions down others throats and respect the rights of all Celtic fans to hold whatever opinions they might have.....yet those offended and embarrassed ones attempt to antagonise us by calling the Republicans "murderers" , "terrorists" and all manner of insults. They also make out we are the unreasonable ones and act like we are the black sheep of the family.

 

Because we are Glasgow Celtic

( not religious )

 

I hope that I haven't come across as refering to republicans as such? I believed that I was contributing to a reasoned debate by giving you my viewpoint. I don't agree with your views although I appreciate your sentiment with regard to this particular issue. We are after all Celtic fans and we all support the best team in the world