In the run up to the game on Wednesday night, I was not surprised that many outlets decided to go into over-drive with the criticism of Celtic for “not doing the right thing” and allowing away fans into the stadium.
Apparently, it detracts from the atmosphere.
To me, and to everyone who was in the ground, that view is even dafter in the aftermath of the game than it was before it, when it was already pretty stupid.
The atmosphere the other night was absolutely electric and made for a truly amazing game.
We didn’t need their supporters to enjoy the occasion; indeed, the whole event was better off without the bile that would have been obvious with even a few hundred of them in attendance. I don’t get, and have never gotten, the media’s horrible snow-blindness when it comes to talking up the “atmosphere” at these games; it is the promotion of hatred.
Celtic fans have long pushed away the “Old Firm” tag.
We want nothing whatsoever to do with the concept, and especially since we’re dealing now with a NewCo and the phrase only lends legitimacy to the Survival and Victim lies.
But a big part of it is that we utterly refuse to be associated with the hatred and bile that flows from their club and this poisonous idea that we are “one side” of some two headed coin.
No matter what we do to attempt to distance ourselves from this toxic concept, Ibrox pulls us tighter and the media assumes their point of view on it.
Our club would not have banned their supporters from Celtic Park without good cause, but now that we’re in this place a lot of us would prefer it if we never went back.
How anyone can have sat inside Parkhead the other night and thought that there was something missing I will never be able to comprehend, because to me it was a perfect evening.
I mean what better way to celebrate a derby win than amongst friends?
The Celtic Family, gathered together as one, and basically turning the entire match into one big party?
No broken seats. No songs about child abuse. No sectarian or racist hatred pouring out of the away end.
Just Celtic supporters, together, paying tribute to a phenomenal display.
We know the “atmosphere” will be very different at Ibrox, but if we play like that and blow them away as comprehensively as we did on Wednesday night, the only sounds after a while will be that plastic whump as seats starts to empty, and many, many stomping feet. And the booing of their own team, of course.
At this juncture, I don’t care if their fans are ever back at Celtic Park again.
That was incredible the other night, an occasion which did not need them at all.
Been saying it for years more fans less money to police more money spent on retail outlets less damage better atmosphere totally agree – I wouldn’t even give them 800 tickets, I hope it stays this way till the end of time
Agree 100%
Couldn’t agree more. Don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed an evening so much at Celtic Park and I’ve been going close on 60 years.
Have you ever noticed the MSM never describe us as rivals? No, it’s always ” bitter rivals”. They stoke up so much vitriol. Is it any wonder so few people now buy them?
I don’t ever want them to darken our doors again.
The league would be better off without their poison. When they go bust, every attempt should be made to make sure the rules are properly applied such that any new club formed playing out of Ibrox joins the waiting list for league membership. I won’t be holding my breath though.
Would any organisation allow 7000 racists shouting the “N” word at their hosts. No. But it seems OK to chant sectarian song to families with young children. While I appreciate that not all Rangers supporters are this vile,there are enough to turn a calibration of football into a Nuremberg Rally. Keep them away from Paradise. Let the stew in the Crumbledome. We don’t want your idea of atmosphere, SKY SPORTS. How about taking the knee against the sectarian Hun!
Brilliant article Jamie.
In my 61 years of supporting Celtic, that was the best atmosphere ever.
Better even than European nights. Shiny, happy people.
You have the argument spot on and we should never have them back in our ground again.
Their so-called atmosphere is built on hatred. Ours is definitely not.
Keep them out.
I was there with my young lad.
It was his first Glasgow Derby.
What a night, totally unbelievable
We don’t need them to enjoy ourselves.
HH.
I agree James,I have always said its not the best atmosphere,its pure hatred and the media should be ashamed for promoting it,no away fans is the way to go in these games
Correct, my son said exactly the same thing, he is a casual supporter here in southof England who drifted away from it but bit by bit is getting back into it.
So, he asked ‘was this Celtic’s idea to keep those animals away and not give them tickets?’
After I told him the origins the origins of it, he said ‘well, it’s NOT TAKEN away any of the atmosphere’ I concurred and we then enjoyed the match.
And you’re right James, I DO NOT WANT THEM BACK EITHER.
They’d have spoiled last night with their bile and hatred.
KEEP THEM OUT OF PARADISE FOREVER.
HH
Yes think we all agree, keep the sectarian bigoted racists out of Paradise! Best atmosphere in the world, ourselves alone on derby day!
Much better without them,
Fantastic atmosphere no poison or animosity in the air and a great evening for our fans
HH
I wasn’t at the game the other night but I can imagine what it would have been like. All the games against the huns I’ve seen (bar one at Ibrox and a couple at Hampden) have been at CP with a good collection of their fans in the ground. I have to say i totally get where people are coming from when they say they don’t want them back. It must feel like a European night when everyone is up for it.
If this is what Celtic fans want then that’s what should happen. It’s only “pundits” on broadcasters like Sky that want the spectacle of a bitter night and by bitter I don’t mean cold. I couldn’t care less what neutrals or the media want. This is about what the fans want. And if the fans want a ground full of lovely Celtic fans and zero smelly huns to stink up the joint then that is absolutely fine by me.
Well done lads. You done everyone proud. Mon the Hoops!
Couldn’t agree more James.The atmosphere was brilliant without their bigots.
I agree that the absence of the ‘ra peepul’ added to the occasion.
I also think a mention should go to the ‘disco lights’. Some mocked the expenditure when they were installed, but I think they may have played a part in spooking the opposition on Wednesday.
Whatever it was, they certainly don’t like it up ’em that lot.
Totally agree with every word. Who needs that level of hatred
They did not want us at their tip so the best thing happened keep them away from our own great atmosphere.
The atmosphere was incredible ,who needs the toxic Hatebreed, just a vile scum new klub.
Absolutely correct, we don’t need them,we don’t want their bile…just keep the status quo…it’s working out pretty well for us.
in all my years of attending Celtic park (and there are many!) Never known a atmosphere like it,so noisy I couldnt even hear the chap next tome ! HH
Was at the game and the atmosphere was fantastic, we don’t need their vile hatred. We are bigger and better than them and would love our club to have the b*lls to say “shut up” or we’ll publish the 5 way agreement. You can only have one initial disclosure as after that it’s old news.