What a flap over an exchange at the airport.
First, I agree with Brendan that it’s ridiculous that our players have to run a gauntlet every time they fly out or back from somewhere. If there’s a way to prevent that we should be doing something about it. He and the club have had words over it, and I’m sure he’ll get his way.
The issue of some eejit shouting at the team is a minor matter in the grand scheme of things, although if it had been a Celtic fan shouting at a Sevconut as his team flew out for Europe (cheap package tour, Albania return, taken out of the players bonuses) the Daily Record would have had a piece on it blaming the Green Brigade.
The matter itself was completely overshadowed by Leigh Griffiths’ reaction to it, a throwaway remark directed at the moron himself which has made headlines.
And I would understand why if the headlines read like this; “Footballer Tells The Truth The Governing Bodies And Clubs Won’t Admit.”
But of course, that’s not what the headlines read.
It’s been recorded as a verbal backhand for someone’s cheek … but it’s also the closest anyone from Celtic Park has come in years to telling this exactly like it is.
I would love it if more people had the balls to do what Leigh has done here.
And listen, it’s worth reminding people that this wasn’t a revolutionary act. All he’s done is tell the truth. All he’s done is put into words what every single one of us already knows. It’s not an insult. It’s simply reminding someone of the bald facts.
We had one Hell of a time last week, with the anger over the SPFL statement hanging over all of it. The disgrace of it has been magnified in the media’s silence over the matter. The clubs are gutless frauds, running for cover and hoping this can all be moved on. It is shameful. It’s almost as if t he whole of the game took a vow of silence on the most important issues to face the sport in this country in living memory; and yesterday someone broke it.
It was off the cuff.
It was a reaction to being baited.
But Leigh has shattered the consensus and given it to somebody straight, but it was the first thing that popped into his head and whipped from his tongue – and check out Scott Brown’s reaction to it haha – and that suggests that he’s been dying to say it for a while, and I suspect he’s not alone.
I have read some absolute nonsense over the reason more people don’t speak out on this.
The most ridiculous is the idea that it would put people in danger.
Utter cobblers.
Who is Leigh Griffiths? The bravest guy in the world?
No-one will attempt to assassinate Leigh over it. There will be no adverse consequences save for some stick online. Some of it will get quite graphic and disgusting. But he will survive it. He’s one guy. To my knowledge he is not the eldest son of a crime family, or a guy who has a Presidential sized phalanx of bodyguards or a former Marine with advanced military training, access to heavy weapons, lightning reflexes and a license to kill.
So if he’s not scared to simply say it out loud, why the Hell don’t other people?
Why don’t the hacks?
Why don’t the football authorities?
Why don’t the chairmen of other clubs?
Does Leigh Griffiths have more bottle than all of them put together?
You know what? I think he does.
Go on wee man, stick the ball in the net tonight and complete an epic 48 hours.