Well – champions again. As I said before, after the defeat at Tannadice I gave up all hope of winning the League. Even at half time on Saturday I thought the title was heading to Tynecastle…
However the second half changed that. Iheanacho was the catalyst for me. We pressed Hearts a lot better and I could sense a goal coming. We are still well off the mark for Europe though. A monumental rebuild task lies ahead.
For me the whole occasion was completely ruined by the so-called supporters who came on to the pitch. And the inevitable trouble in the city later in the day.
I switched off the computer when I saw the extent of the pitch invasion. Couldn’t be bothered to watch the trophy presentation. I have never felt so bad after a Celtic victory. Â Usually I spend the day following a win like that reading the various websites, listening to podcasts, watching Sportscene and YouTube. Instead I virtually shut myself off.
I calmed down a bit on Monday and had a look at the media coverage.
As expected a lot of criticism of the Celtic fans, not undeserved in the circumstances, in general media. There was also some criticism in Celtic fan sites but as I expected there were a lot of fans indignant of the media coverage.
A lot of the usual “what about” comments. Pointing out similar incidents by fans of other clubs. All that does is say “we are as bad as them” . And quite a few fans quoting their “No one likes, we don’t care” slogan.
To me that is a mentality I always associated with Rangers. It’s just a short step away from “We Are The People”. And I do care about what people think about Celtic and their fans!
The atmosphere of ‘triumphalism’
I have a very good friend who is a Motherwell season ticket holder. He has helped me out with tickets for Fir Park games both for myself and other NZCSC members. When I was visiting him some years ago when his kids were still living at home the kids told me that as well as home games they went to away matches in the West of Scotland but no longer Ibrox as they felt intimidated there and didn’t enjoy the atmosphere of “triumphalism” .
When I was at a Motherwell v Celtic game with him in 2022 he mentioned that he usually avoided games at Fir Park when Rangers were the visitors. I imagine he might put Celtic on that undesirable list.
What David Potter would have made of it?
To be honest instead of any feeling of elation I have felt depressed since the weekend. I was thinking too of what David Potter would have made of it? David was always keen to show the Celtic fans in a good light, but he didn’t hesitate to criticise when it was merited.
He would be able to articulate his feelings better than I can mine – but I am sure he would also have been sickened by the events of Saturday. I remember reading in one of his books about a game at Celtic Park in 1955. Aberdeen who had just clinched the title ahead of Celtic a week previously, were the visitors at Celtic Park. The announcer asked the fans to give a round of applause which they did.
And I recall the Scottish Cup Final in 1970 when thousands of Celtic fans stayed on and applauded Martin Buchan collecting the Cup.
Many people trying to justify the events of the weekend and accusing media of exaggeration will be the same ones who criticised the Rangers fans behaviour after they won the league a few years ago. As happened then, there will be a lot of talk but nothing will change.
It would be good if Celtic took some action
It would be good if Celtic took some action to show that they did have higher standards but that is going to be difficult for the present Board. There is a lot of dissatisfaction with them from all sections of the Celtic support.
No matter what they do, or don’t do, they will be criticised. However something has to be at least tried.
Obviously there is not much Celtic can do about those delinquents who caused problems in the city after the game. Those people are not delinquents because they support Celtic. They are delinquents full time who were wearing Celtic colours. that’s my view anyway.
As a Celtic Supporter herself she found it even more depressing
One of our members (NZCSC) has a sister in the police force in Glasgow. She was on duty on Saturday. She contacted her brother on Sunday and told of the disgraceful scenes she had witnessed on Saturday. As a Celtic Supporter herself she found it even more depressing.
However what happens in the ground does come under Celtic’s control. I imagine that a condition of getting a season ticket is that you can’t go on to the field of play. In that case take season ticket off anyone who went on to the pitch. Draconian some might say but it would send out a message.
Seville seems a long, long way away
23 years ago we were in a European Final. On that occasion our players and our fans were getting plaudits. Seville seems a long, long way away after the events of the weekend.
All the best for now.
Mike Maher
Member of the NZCSC in Auckland, New Zealand  – Mike also attended the European Cup Finals in 1967 and 1970.
HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
5 Comments
The demographic of your angst are tennagers and maybe into early 20’s. Probably very few born when we went to Seville. And the first criticism they received was the booing ringing out from the stands when they went on the pitch. Were those in the city centre all ticket holders for the day? There is an element in our support that is for sure and was evident long before Saturday. But there is a balance also. The reaction, and indeed the commentary around previous games, is at a level I have never seen from people with a profile and a lot of it was either grossly exxagerated or downright lies, gaslighting of the highest order. Celtic do need to act against those who entered the pitch but it wasnt violence. Take that out of it and what else did Celtic really do wrong to merit the levels of criticism over the past few weeks. If you didnt enjoy that title win then I am sorry for you.
A thousand times NO this doesn’t tarnish my memory at all.i watched Celtic fans around me crying at the final whistle saw father and son hugging because our beloved team won another title against the odds,so I wil not let what happened be tarnished certainly not by others and unbelievably not from our own
Hi Mike,
I hope you are well.
Well said. There was a time not too long ago when Celtic fans were lauded for their behaviour while travelling all over Europe.
Celtic fans crying with joy, fathers and sons hugging – brilliant.
Face coverings, pyrotechnics and pitch invasions – not acceptable at Celtic Park or anywhere else for that matter.
Let’s celebrate the Celtic way!
All the best,
Jimmy
Have the Scottish press forgotten the Scotland victory at Wembley when the Scottish fans pitch invasion destroyed the goal posts , the pitch , and other sections of Wembley? So all the press and bad losers just get over hearts where not good enough to win , rangers ended 10 points behind Celtic and eight behind hearts , so all you anti Celtic reporters and pundits failed and your predictions and hope failed , and mr Sutton your prediction of Celtic having no chance of winning title , how you can stand on tv and act like you where happy they won
This is what is disgusting , and shamed Scottish football , not the team and supporters that won the title
Mike, some really excellent points. Great, reasoned & heart-felt (no pun intended).
For a number of years some elements of our support have made me despair about the image that’s projected of the Celtic support. Playing into hands of others & reinforcing the characature image of a Celtic supporter, irrespspectve of whether that person holds bias or not.
At the game I was in my usual seat & all the elated emotion was almost instantly extinguished by looking on whilst these morons entered the playing area. I was wondering with worry what will be the punishment & fallout will be for our Club.
The Club has to be strong against those who entered the field of play. These pitch invaders were selfish people with no regard for others. Many my age & older who should know better! Strolling around with a massive sense of entitlement. David Potter would indeed be displeased.
A Stadium ban is a minimum. We all have to agree to Ts & Cs before buying a Matchday or Season Ticket, the Management do have the right to apply the rules I & many others I’ve spoken to would applaud. Give these tickets to others & send a strong message !