There are people who think that a section of our support – the section that couldn’t bring itself to keep silent for one minute – shamed our club yesterday. They did not.
Our club has behaved with great honour and integrity this November, as it does every November.
They kept the poppy off our strips, in recognition of our status as a club that does not restrict itself to a narrow sect or strain of opinion, but they also made their annual donation.
There are some who think that minority shamed our support yesterday. They did not.
The Green Brigade and other fan groups publicised their decision not to be in the stands when it took place, and thus showed the proper respect to the fans who wanted to pay theirs.
They made their point, but not in a manner which brought them discredit.
I applaud the actions of those fan groups, and the club itself. They managed to find a compromise between how strongly they feel on this and respecting what used to be a solemn and dignified tribute, before the spread of poppy fascism and the shameful militarisation of the whole affair. Cannons at Ibrox, for God’s sake? It’s grotesque.
Nevertheless, I know several Celtic fans who have served.
Almost every other has a relative who did or has or still does.
My grandfather on my dad’s side did his service during World War 2, as almost all of the grandfathers of my generation did. The guy who was the closest thing to a grandfather on my mother’s side also did. The club’s statement on the remembrance ceremony paid tribute to the Celtic players who gave their lives in World War I.
That not even this was enough to make people shut their damned mouths for 60 seconds is appalling.
Some of them shouted nonsense about the IRA.
Armchair generals who if you asked them a single question about the Irish War of Independence they couldn’t answer it if you were threatening them with electroshocks.
Sixty seconds of silence in respect of our own former players.
Sixty seconds out of respect for those who died in the two big wars.
Sixty seconds to say a silent prayer for peace if that’s your bag, or for the poor sods of Ukraine.
Or the plight of the Palestinians … pick your own cause for Remembrance Day and honour it.
Or stand checking your phone for a minute.
If you can’t bring yourself to do it, at least don’t kid yourself that you’re anything other than a brainless dolt, a yahoo, acting like a ned for your own satisfaction.
These people see themselves are rebels.
Perhaps the last rebels, the remaining carriers of the flame.
They endure the disgust of their fellow fans, the contempt of the club, the opprobrium of the media because they think they are striking a blow. But for what?
Not for anything the rest of us care about.
They are so like the scum of the right that it astonishes me they can’t recognise that fact.
They are intolerant, bigoted, arrogant and unbelievably stupid.
They did not disgrace our club.
They did not disgrace their fellow fans.
They disgraced themselves.
They highlighted their own disgusting ignorance.
Couldn’t agree more.
Quite right James. These ‘Ceasefire soldiers’ really get on my nerves.
Nice article. Sets the record staight.
IRA, IRA, IRA, blah, blah, blah, boaring, boaring, boaring. I blame the buckfast.
Boring, not boaring, you uneducated heathen. I blame the schools.
This is a Celtic blog, not an English webinar, or lecture. If you want to correct grammar, go some place else, you numbskull. I’m surprised your neighbors cope, with all your ridiculous, uneducated ira songs, blasting out all the time. I blame the parents actually .
Oh neighbours, because we know you like to correct people Shakespeare
Sean you are a thick fker and your lack of intelligence is the reason that I always know it is you, no matter how many times you change your handle.
You keep dreaming pal..I was wondering how long it would take you to get back, serial pest of fucks always need to get the last word in. How was the English lecture today, were you correcting anybody a grammar today ?.
It’s cretins like you, who are needed papped out of Celtic park, with your dinosaur mindset, were you think everybody wants to sing ira, well guess what Shakespeare, they don’t. And the quicker you realize it, the better. I don’t answer you again, after this, because I have better things to be doing, than to be answering a ignorant, oap dinosaur. James pap him off this man, the guys a complete tosser, and a serial pest.
Oh and lastly, defining ones intellect with grammar, is really the most ridiculous, and arguably one of the stupidest things I’ve ever commented on. You are as thick as mince pal.
Two uncles of mine served in the war: one in the US Marines, after he emigrated from Ireland, and another which served in the Merchant Navy.
One was at Iwa Jima, a battle that transcends time in its brutality and horror.
Did these guys come through that unchanged, of course they didn’t. No sane human would.
I got to know an old guy that lived in the street where I grew up. He once told me he was a court recorder in the Waf Crimes trials in the far East after the war. He lost two stone in weight just listening to the evidence. Not only listening but recording it.
Yes guys, who I eeally inly knew late in their lives, were imbued with patience and tolerance that these people are simply incapable of understanding.
Why not blame all alcohol then or are you rich and drink lager only… blaming one yet consuming another ? join jj prip and proper have a very sober Christmas.
Pedro I like a wee half bottle myself now and again, the post was meant with a bit of banter. A mean what’s wrong with people these days, I know it’s Christmas next month, and with that, we are all out of pocket. But surely we can still have a laugh as well. But in all honesty, being a Celtic fan, dosnt mean you have to hate everything with the word British in it, or you have to sing ira songs 7 days a week. If people want to mark the silence, im all for it, and if they don’t, I’m all for that as well. No need to get your knickers in a twist bud.
Unfortunately what you say is partly true,the minutes silence is for soldiers involved in any war covering Iran,Iraq,Cyprus, Afghanistan, and Northern Ireland,so please don’t just say two world wars as many Celtic supporters have lost family members in conflicts mentioned,and that’s myself and many fans don’t support or stand for this minutes silence
Well said James, the club asked us to stand in silence for 60 seconds to remember the dead of all conflicts. most of the fans were willing to so with dignity but were let down by a minority.
What on earth firing artillery guns as they did at Ibrox has got to do with honouring the victims of war beats me. There again most of the way they think over at Ibrox has always puzzled me.
Why do football clubs need to do this? There’s remembrance Sunday for everyone who wants to go out of their way to go to a local place and remember local people on the correct day at the correct time. Forcing something so politically divisive on paying customers who have not asked for it just isn’t on in this day and age. Celtic (and society in general) are pandering to the poppy fascists. That you can buy a poppy dog bowl for your pooch from the official BL poppy site hardly screams out respect.
Where is the respect for the people of ireland shot dead for being Catholic. They still occupy my country fuck them and their poppies.
Disgraceful comment that shames you ! All true Catholics served and died in these wars against facism ! The same facism that you are displaying Shame On You !
Ok next year, providing we are all here let’s ? and clap rather than asking a country to stay silent, or sing a song our forefathers believed would help the NEW generation coming to life.
Absolutely ! Moronic behaviour !
Really well put article and had too be said. These clowns just shame theirselves. To boo or sing through the minutes silence is a disgrace. Yes ah CAN see the argument against wearin the poppy, although it IS a personal choice and people wear it and always have worn it, for their own reasons. Sadly, in recent years it’s been force fed, commercialised and capitalised, while at the same time, completely hijacked by one particular institution. They perform a tasteless military circus at ibrox every year, tae give the impression that THEY mourn, or respect remembrance day more than anybody else, or that it means ‘more’ to them. That’s the blind arrogance they have. Ah don’t know which is worse.
James, really well put. 100% agree. It is all about personal choice and respect. By not being in place I respect the Greed brigade for that, its their choice. But booing is not acceptable and shows disrespect for the many who were forced to fight and died as young men pushed there by the establishment. My grandfather fought in the Somme, my father the RAF in 1940. I am totally anti-war I am all for defence cuts and believe what went on in Northern Ireland for 30 years was a total disgrace. I don’t buy or wear a poppy. But I would never ever boo at people showing respect. And also yes at these times I remember my father and grand father and I think that is fair and to be respected.
I don’t believe war serves any purpose other than to destroy the lives of the affected soldiers and civilians. Not only them, but the countless family members, friends and colleagues who have to cope with unbearable loss. This is true for ALL conflicts, no matter where and when. I believe taking a moment to show empathy with all humans affected by conflict is the least we can do in a civilised society.