The Diary takes a look at those who pay their money
It may surprise regular readers that I’m not really one of those fans that seeks my joy by watching others fail. I sometimes shake my head at the merriment on messageboards or on blogs at the sheer orgasmic pleasure fans seem to take of their main rivals getting a beating or being delivered bad news.
It’s almost an obsession. It’s just a step away, for some, from being that next door neighbour that will pour petrol on their neighbours prized lawn then hide behind the curtains to watch his reaction.
I understand, and accepted, quite wholly, that there has to be an interest in your main rivals. You have to dislike, scorn and pity them in equal measure. You have to take great pleasure in reminding them of this.
I have an interest in them. But I’m not the mad one when asked did you see the r*ngers game the other night and I answer no, Holby was on to a look that should be reserved for people who admit that they watch Glee that I didn’t go out my way to watch my rivals play.
I get that look quite often from both Celtic and R*ngers supporting friends. One of them has a Michael Buble CD as well but I don’t judge him.
Of course there has been moments in history when your rivals are the gift that just keeps on giving in front of a global audience. Manchester 2008 was one such moment.
Once again those who followed the club to Manchester ensured that they were in-keeping with those people John Ure Primrose wanted the club to appeal to.
With fighting starting in Manchester a full 8 hours before the game kick off it cumulated with what has become known as the Battle Of Piccadilly. After a screen showing the game failed R*ngers fans failed started fighting with each other then turned on the Police when they arrived on mass.
39 Police Officers were injured during the clashes. BBC News 24 showed the clashes live. The condemnation of the riot was widespread. While the club claimed that the violence was carried about by supporters who don’t usually attach themselves to the club (the clue is in the word supporters) others saw through this and one academic mused that (r*ngers) had the biggest hooligan problem in the British game.
In the most shocking incident one Policeman was isolated and attacked by hundreds of fans. The officer said It was unbelievable when we got there, it was already in motion. It was frightening, on a different scale from any other match I have worked in my 23-year career. It seemed the vast majority were drunk and they just wanted to cause trouble.
This was just carrying on a tradition that R*ngers have. In their previous European Final in 1972 they became the only fans in history not to witness their club life a European trophy after they invaded the field of play, before the game had ended, and attacked Moscow Dynamo’s players as they attempted to get an equaliser.
The Moscow Dynamo coach commented we had the advantage and the momentum at the end of the game when r*ngers fans broke onto the pitch and attacked our players. R*ngers are still the only club that haven’t been able to defend their European trophy after they received a one year European ban for the trouble.
After the game UEFA president said The r*ngers fans behaved like savages. We must find ways to keep such people from football stadiums.
Prominent Scottish journalist Ian Archer summed up, very nicely, a club that started off with noble intentions but was so consumed by hatred, bigotry and greed they have become a monster.
This has to be said about Rangers…as a Scottish Football club they are a permanent embarrassment and an occasional disgrace. This country would be a better place if Rangers did not exist
No argument from me on that one.
Sorry about the paragraphing. Doesnt seem to want to sort.
Not sure I can agree with the last idea. Whilst I admittedly don’t live in Glasgow or Northern Ireland, where the hatred between the sides no doubt runs deepest, I do – as a Catholic and as a, supposedly, whatever-generation Irishman – feel the sense of identification with the club and the community of people who call ourselves fans of Celtic. However, neither of the aforementioned reasons are WHY I support Celtic, certainly not why I supported them in the beginning, and I would never call for the extinction of R*ngers. I despise them but I want them to change and perhaps the rivalry to change.
Of course, if they did go I’d laugh. Hard. For about a week. But the goosebumps I have just now looking forward to tomorrow would never return. And that would be a shame.
Their fans are ugly but I could cheer a goal in the face of a handsome R*ngers fan. Their fans -in the main – go to different churches, but if we get a result then I could happily smirk at one next Sunday morning if he attended mine. I don’t hate those who talk and sing about dying Catholics because I’m a Catholic or a Celtic fan, I hate them because they’re scum. But come tomorrow I’ll hate – a strong feeling but temporary and not murderous – ALL in blue because of football, just as I did last Sunday.
I would quite happily shit on their grave and though these games are great the worry is if you win will you get home safe. Would love that element to disappear but as long as they exsit that will exsit.
But is that why you hate R*ngers? Aren’t some of their fans feeling the same trepidation, especially when they’re coming to our place? I would agree that the vile proportion is greater on the blue side than ours but it’s not a numbers game. For as long as a significant amount of the R*ngers support hate me tomorrow simply because I’m Celtic rather than anything else I will simply reciprocate.
I take the point that currently it’s a pretty awful club, probably from top to bottom, with generally pretty awful human beings as fans. But given the choice of them changing or disappearing, I’d change them.
I detest all that r*ngers stand for. A club moulded by hatred, greed and bigotry. I detest Scotland for embracing them. But, live and let live. Problem is walking home, from watching, being at or later on in the evening getting a take away maybe buying some milk they don’t want to live and let live.
They feel they have the right to lord it and anyone with that attitude is dangerous.
Don’t get me wrong I have few good r*ngers supporting mates. There is some decent ones who see us only in a sporting rivalry light. But its a case of never the twain shall meet.
Can’t agree more with you on your last point.
Horrible, horrible club.
The world indeed would be a better place if they did not exist.
Hate is a waste of emotion and brain power. I would prefer a world without them but the most disappointing thing is that a club so horrible has ssupport from so many of the decision makers in the Scottish game. Quite sad really.
Anyway it`s all about the football today, come on the Bhoys! I`m not too happy about this ref. He seems to play on fouls against the opposition while pulling Celtic up for everything! He also allows assaults/ wrestling on skillful players. Apart from all that I`m sure he`ll do well. 🙂
Tough being a fan right now..