Posted on Monday, 26th September 2011 by lordofthewing
Saturday’s entertainment was not brought to you by 11 masters of the beautiful game doing their stuff on the pitch. Far from it.
It was all about those pesky kids and if you switch your mind to Scooby Doo mode you can picture Alec Salmonds and his flabby chops being unmasked as the villain after a slap dash chase and some buffoonery.
There seems to be two distinct camps when it comes to the GB. Those who see them as needy adolescents who need the rush of self publicity and are a disgrace to the club they claim to love and those who love what they do but have reservations about their choice of songbook.
Update: It seems that there is a third distinct group. Let’s call them the Partisans who are calling for nothing to change and for the GB to carry on as they are.
I never put this group in as before now, and maybe in the aftermath of such a show, they have been silent in any on-line or off-line discussion that has taken place. They are the vocal majority at the moment.
Salmond’s Law has been discussed and even those with damaged grey matter can grasp that the law is being changed to ensure that we can be tagged the same as them. It’s been admitted to in that expensive house in Embra. It will also capture other fans of the self titled Family Clubs who have a snobby view of us and think that their $h*ts don’t smell.
I have no faith in the justice system to enforce the law. Neither do those that need to enforce it.
The banner above sums it up our situation perfectly but the protest failed to take into account the growing number – I think it is a growing number – of Celtic fans who want certain songs or slogans dropped from the repertoire not because they are illegal but because it’s time to move on.
My take is this. We will lose nothing from our identity if we stop singing certain songs. The GB will play a major part in that.
The protest on Saturday was seen by some as a petulant and selfish act. I fully understand that view. The group could only highlight their view and the problems they face. They weren’t attempting to be a wider voice.
There was also a great deal of hypocrisy in the reaction to the protest inside the stadium. You could hear the sweetie papers rustling and the players shouting before 50mins. The stadium became all singing and all dancing afterwards. Did you not feel like singing before hand?
There also seems to be a lack of understanding about the reason they have been asked to stop the lateral movement. The disappearance of a safety certificate could make that clearer to those who don’t grasp this. I think the GB should be using this to make a play for safe standing returning to the Scottish game. The game in this country needs a revolution.
So what do we do about the Green Brigade? The club and support have embraced them like an outcast Uncle at a family wedding. Glad to see him there but keeping a distance and ensuring he can be disowned if he soils himself and is sick down the bridesmaid.
Saturday was a watershed moment. But what way do we go? Vote in the poll.
What To Do With The GB
Total Voters: 1,715
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Tags: The Green Brigade
Posted in Blogs | Comments (57)
Celtic News 24/7
September 26th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
They bring too much atmosphere to be banned
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September 26th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
[...] http://thecelticblog.com/2011/09/blogs/what-to-do-about-the-green-brigade-a-quick-poll [...]
September 26th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
There is nothing wrong with what the green brigade are doing, they are bringing the buzz back to Celtic Park, and that’s exactly what the fans want. Also recently many of the players have come out and said that the crowd are a massive influence in there performances, if it wasn’t for the GB the crowd would not have the amazing atmosphere we are experiencing at the moment.
HAIL HAIL
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September 26th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
I don’t think we have a right to ask a group of fans to stop singing songs if they are not illegal. I strongly believe that if they want to put across their political views, in a legal way, then they should receive no impediment. Also what songs do you think certain groups of fans deem as unacceptable? I personally would regard those with an anti-protestant(or other religion) or those which refer to a specific event involving civilians (i.e. ibrox disaster) as unacceptable, and to my knowledge they don’t as a group sing such songs.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I agree but should political protest or celebration really be done at a football ground? Remember that was an argument against the poppy. You can include anything mentions the IRA, no matter in what form as what some may find offensive. Thats what the are targeting me thinks.
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September 26th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Do you think this article is a true representation of the thoughts of the Celtic fans regarding the Green Brigade? If so your an idiot, this article is cringeworthy
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
No, I don’t think or have suggested that it represents anyones views apart from those I claim to be my own. So, what are your thoughts or are you too idiotic to have any?
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September 26th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
What to do with them? What about the reaction to the GB on Saturday, the people who turned up, was that not a poll for you ? Surely that told you all you need to know and is got to be better than any stupid internet poll where any old nutter can vote, I bet the Scotzine nubs will be buying IP addresses just to get votes in.
Hope its the same atmosphere on Thursday.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Maybe the reaction was better than any poll but would the reaction have been the same if they had started singing BOTOB and did you notice that in the Celtic Symphony the silence apart from the GB at the Oh Ah bit? Does that tell me what we need to know?
Also, the reaction maybe says something about the sheep like nature of the home support? See the booing of Samaras….
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Cloverbhoy Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Forza Green brigade!!! Forza Rhebels! Forza free speech!
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kesh6 Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 8:21 am
I have to agree….. The support at saturdays game showed how they feel. The majority of the 45000 all stood up to show that support. That tells us all we need to know. Hail hail to the GB. !!!! YNWA
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 8:23 am
On the face of it that was the case. I’m sure the majority of the support are against the new laws and gladly agree with the protest. But…..it’s split nearly 50/50 regarding the repertoire….
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September 26th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
i would like to have a face to face conversation with the misguided idiots, who, would like to see the GB disbanded and i suspect take a perverse satisfaction from their current treatment.
I would vehemently contest that it is these people who are the embarrassment to Celtic, complete pigeon’s for the laptop loyal and the current political agendas.
Well done eerrmmm, bhoys, just you do the bigots work for them. Keep up the good work.
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September 26th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
i think if they ban this then they should ban the walks that go through towns that dont want them but we get them anyway so this is them singling out gb for special treatment when everybody knows who needs sorted out let them sort the real bigots out hail hail
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I think the GB are unique and the powers at be are really unsure how to handle them. Hence this ham-fistedness.
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September 26th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Having listened to Prof. Devine explain that the laws are already in place to punish sectarian acts but the Scottish Police have failed to use them, leaving UEFA to dole out bans/punishments that SFA and Courts have turned a blind eye to. Whether you dislike the songs or not, World Football has never condemned our support so how can some so called Celtic fans .We really should act as one because some young lads are going to be criminalised as some form of equalisation by the new Laws that are to be introduced.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I don’t think the majority of fans are condemning the songs, in fact I’m sure that nearly 100% would have sung them at one time or another. Some feel it’s time to move on and I feel that if we do we don’t lose any of our identity while others lose it all.
For me there is two issues. The songs and the law. I can’t believe that Paul McBride QC reckons that the justice system will prevail with the introduction of Salmonds Law. As you say they fail to use the current powers.
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September 26th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
as they say, their songs are not sectarian, and in general not very offensive. the most offensive song we have is go home ya huns but in literal meaning its not that offensive, hun is just a metaphor for a thug…
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September 26th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
60000 people doing the huddle is far more dangerous than the so called lateral movement…that is the REAL hypocrisy from Celtic
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Same as 50,000 xxxxxl doing the bouncy then?
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Gary D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 12:56 am
Absolutely mate..I love both the lateral movement and the huddle but it seems Celtic cant make any money from lateral movement..
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September 27th, 2011 at 12:02 am
which if any in of the repertoire of GB songs are offensive? IRA songs , please get hold on reality . If i were to sing songs in praise of Norwegian or French partisans who fought the forces that occupied their respective countries in WW2 not a word would be said, however if the insurgents being praised in song are Irish – well now that may be a criminal offense.
Say it loud bhoys YNA
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 6:41 am
Again, the Celtic support are not saying they are offensive but are beginning to question what they have to do with the games we are watching?
That’s the point. Offensive is not being discussed.
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September 27th, 2011 at 12:18 am
Pretty much agree with everything you say here, but they seem intent on not changing the songbook, or listening to anyone else.
Regarding losing nothing from our identity, I think the various videos that did the rounds last season prove that (“Just can’t get enough”, “Glasgow’s Green and White” etc.)
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September 27th, 2011 at 12:43 am
I Fully Stand Along With The Green Brigde any Celtic Fan who wants them Out off Celtic Park Have Look at Your if they Are Told to Go from Celtic Then I hand bye Season Ticket Back cause I’m not Going back to the Days off GS and Mogga no stuff going on at games
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September 27th, 2011 at 2:11 am
It’s a thorny one and seems to have divided the Celtic support. Although I don’t really care one way or the other what songs they sing so long as they don’t stop singing altogether!.
I recall in the days of my plooky youth we used to give it big licks with Sean South and The Soldiers Song etc,I would hate to think I could have been arrested for that as is seemingly being proposed,but in any event I don’t recall anyone being killed by a group of people singing ( Don’t include some rock bands !).
In those far off times they used to belt out The Sash etc and we’d give it laldy with Sean South and then we went home,Nae bother.
Who cares what anybody sings, I am sure there are a great many more things in this world we SHOULD be offended about than people singing.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 8:16 am
Take your point and agree to a point. Ask yourself when did Sean South score for Celtic though?
ps: I am being devils advocate here.
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September 27th, 2011 at 7:10 am
I’m a 61 year old supporter who deliberately changed my season book to sit in the front of the Green Brigade. In my opinion Celtic should be encouraging these people and allowing a lot more supporters in their area and Celtic should be taking them to away games free of charge.
To all those people who just want to sit, who don’t want to sing, who don’t want to get behind the team, then please go and take up another sport.
One last thing! You should see the way these young people are treated and victimised by the police and OUR OWN STEWARDS even before they enter the stadium it is nothing short of a disgrace and the Celtic board SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
Keep up the great work GB, I am 100% behind you.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 8:14 am
There is no-one disagreeing (ok, a minority) that they are doing a great job but do you think the songbook represents what Celtic are about now?
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September 27th, 2011 at 8:18 am
Update: I have updated the post to represent what is being said and voted for.
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September 27th, 2011 at 8:29 am
You cannot possibly justify a stance of “keep politics out of Celtic Park” when at the very same time the politicians are sticking their noses in.
And for what it’s worth, about 99% of what the Green Brigade sing is to do with Celtic. Hell, they’ve even turned Little Armalite into a Celtic song! More power to them I say.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 8:29 am
True, it’s the 1% that is causing the debate.
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September 27th, 2011 at 9:02 am
The GB are fantastic! The atmosphere they generate is electrifying, if it wasnt for them then CP would be like a library at times. I dont give 2 f**ks who they offend, their songs are not illegal, their songs are not secterian, so whats the problem? Celtic Park would be a lesser place without them!
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September 27th, 2011 at 9:47 am
think alot of the animosity towards the GB comes from the fact that as “the best support in the world” we are loathed to acknowledge the fact that we actually need a “singing section”.
The atmosphere at Celtic Park bar European Nights, Rangers games and the odd exception has been non-existent since the completion of the stadium in 1998.
In my opinion games like Saturdays are all the better for their presence.
As an “outsider” I would suggest that they could less insular and prevent splitting the support.
We all remember the days of rival Celtic gangs and more recently (ten years ago) Ajax fans fighting amongst themselves at Parkhead.
Lets hope these scenarios can be avoided and the support can once again be united and vocal with the help of the GB.
I just wish that they would stop singing Discoland.
oo-oo-ay-ay-oo-oo-ay-ay-aaaay…
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
I like Discoland…….
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September 27th, 2011 at 10:21 am
I’m really tired of listening to this purile romanticism regarding Irish republican ideals. It’s insufferably boring and outdated. I absolutely love the passion that the Green Brigade have brought back to Celtic Park. I’m all for that remaining. However, the politics and the bonehead excuses for singing songs related to the IRA I can do without.
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Gary D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 10:54 am
It may be boring to you but you have to respect the right of others to sing about it should they wish to do so..Personally i do not sing “rebel” songs at Celtic anymore as i feel that Celtic in 2011 is now (for better) a multicultural support encompassing many different nationalities,races and religions but i have absolutely no problem with anyone who wish to express themselves in any way they wish..Freedom of choice and expression is their own and as long as the songs are not sectarian or racist then i dont see what the big problem is
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Gary D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 10:58 am
oh and for the record, if it wasnt for the green brigade, our support would be non existent at both Celtic Park and away from home such is the poor quality of the product Celtic fans are having to suffer on the park these past few years..At least these bhoys (and ghirls) are enthusiastic regardless of how poor we have become…in a “win, lose or draw” kind of way
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September 27th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
I think I’ve highlighted my admiration for the GB’s enthusiasm and support of our team, in general. What, I personally, don’t support (and I don’t care how unpopular this opinion is) is the mindless adulation, regardless of romantic ideas of dressing it up through song, of an organisation that is responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians and whose cause, in it’s most recent incarnation, has absolutely nothing to do with Celtic FC whatsoever.
Justification for that tied to freedom of speech is lazy and holds no water whatsoever.
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Gary D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Wildrover,are you a fascist? you are certainly sounding like one..The IRA were involved in a war with the British and in war, there are casualties and yes, sometimes innocent people die..just like in Afghanistan,Iraq,the falklands WW1,WW2 Vietnam etc…Just because you do not agree with the singing, it doesnt mean that you have the right to take away that right of others to do so..If anything, the summing up of your post is lazy and to me and countless others, holds “no water” whatsoever
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Bit strong.
Wildrover has clearly stated that why he has no time for the romanticism he doesn’t begrudge anyone the right to indulge it.
Hardly a facist statement.
It’s like me not liking shreddies but understand why people do. I won’t partake but don’t think they should be banned.
Everything has a time and a place. The lines about this are blurred as politicians poke their beaks in and we claim political songs.
The question is do these songs now have a time and a place at CP? Not are they illegal, which we are all agreed they are clearly not, but are they relevant and representative of a football club?
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John D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
it’s our history and culture – songs and all- that makes us unique.
would you like to see songs about the Lisbon Lions dropped, or ‘Fields of Athenry’… each of these are old, past their time…?
make no mistake, the catalogue of songs that we have, the history we have makes us what we are… to cherry pick is to play into the hands of those that would undermine celtic… they would rejoice at us being another hibs, a club who abandoned their culture and in turn was abandoned by their culture. keep the faith, keep the green brigade.
lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Who mentioned anything about dropping songs about the Lisbon Lions? This is when the argument turns into farce. You could link any song with an Irish connection to us if you tried hard enough. In no-way would we end up like Hibs that is an extreme example.
If you watch some of the old footage and hear some of the songs that are sung then in the early 80′s late 70′s you hear a lot more political songs being sung than you do now. Those songs died away as the time changed as the support embraced new songs….never once was the identity diluted.
Do you really think that the singing of songs about the IRA pre 69 and post 69 is what makes us unique? If so we are in bother…..
John D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
i never said you would drop fields or songs about the lions, only to follow your principle that ‘everything has its time and place’.
well, clearly, for many at celtic park the time and place of ‘the auld songs’ is right now.
also, i never said that only the IRA songbook made us unique…
Wildrover Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Fascist ? Haha ! Good grief..
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Gary D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
ok so maybe fascist was the wrong expression to use and a tad strong but it is certainly bordering on it when you try and dictate to people what they can or cannot sing escpecially when they have their beliefs and reasons for doing so
September 27th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
The threat of removing the safety certificate is nothing more than a disgrace. The club, government and police are quick to use statistics to prove points, yet I have not seen anything to date.
I’m afraid the reason is much more sinister.
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September 27th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Politics has no place in football.
What have the IRA got to do with Celtic? Nothing.
Back the team and drop all this political stuff which has no place at Celtic Park.
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September 27th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
They would be brilliant for the club and loved by all if they could kick this habit of shooting themselves in the foot every so often.
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Gary D Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
like PLC lackeys?
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September 27th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
what a load of crap is being talked about in here. Voting on the gb, how about a poll on how to help the bhoys. lord of the wing i think you chould channel your energy a bit better then this bile crap that would be more suited to one of the daily rags then on a celtic blog.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
The GB are topical. Plus I don’t think there has been any bile.
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September 29th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
My mum and gran were at the last game of the season in parkhead and throughly enjoyed listening and watching the green brigade.So much so they both want to purchase season tickets to sit with GB, also my cousins have season tickets sitting below GB and would not change their seating arrangements for anyone as they enjoy their singing and camaderie. As the Rangers fans have also now demonstrated their feelings on the new laws at long last genuine fans are hopefully all uniteing on the new laws being introduced by the Scottish goverment.
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lordofthewing Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Aye, R*ngers fans claiming they are not criminals. Fucking laughable.
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bobocop Reply:
October 1st, 2011 at 9:29 pm
If trouble is likely to flare at Parkhead where do you think the most likely area will be. The GB are die hard , brainwashed by their grandparents, immature young lads and lassies who haven’t the brain power to draw conclusions from the evidence around them. Their opinions are probably learned at the feet of dear old uncle Declan and Auntie Delmar whose grandfather back in Ireland was shot by some young squaddie from Drumchapel who didn’t fancy a .303 in the back.
To suggest that you need these morons at Parkhead to give it some atmosphere is a terrible admission and has to be wrong.
These are the same fuckwits as are to be found amongst the Derry and all they bring to the atmosphere at Ibrox is bitterness and hatred.
Both clubs are better off without them.
It’s galling though to hear as morally bankrupt a crew as politicians sermonising and legislating on the subject. The matter is now a political football and in the way of these things any subsequent legislation will be ill-thought out and impractical.
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November 19th, 2011 at 2:24 am
They do liven the place up and most of the time the songs are fine. They do need to stay away from the political “statements” however, and stop assuming that they speak for our fans in general. We are a club open to all viewpoints, so let’s respect that and stick to the fitba’.
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October 7th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I say dump them, they have fk all interest in the good of football and celtic. Theyre using celtic as a platform for thier political agenda, and fans who dont see this as clear as day are ignorant.
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