On Sunday at Easter Road, there was a pro-immigration banner.
It was a reminder to the world that we are a club founded by immigrants. It is easy in these dark days, when there’s so much venom directed at those who come to live here from other countries, to forget that so many of us understand their plight and stand on their side. It’s always good when there’s a public reminder—not just of our roots, but of our principles and beliefs.
I often wonder how much being a Celtic supporter has shaped my political outlook. It’s one of those questions I wrestle with from time to time, and I’m really not sure what the answer is. Yet, I have a sneaking suspicion that being a Celtic supporter made me a better socialist and a better internationalist.
Supporting Celtic gave me a feel for what it’s like to root for the underdog, especially as I grew up during the 1980s and early 90s. I watched the Tories win election after election, and Rangers win trophy after trophy. It felt like those days were never going to end, like they would go on forever.
Then came 1997, the Blair landslide, and Celtic stopping ten in a row. Suddenly, the world looked different. I think somewhere during that period of time—from when I got interested in football and politics until that famous year—all the pieces coalesced. My identity as a left-wing Celtic supporter became so fixed that those two elements became virtually inseparable.
Last week, I wrote an article about how we in Scotland held back the right-wing tide that had caused riots in England. In no small part, it’s because those poisonous ideals have infiltrated our football clubs to a lesser extent than they have in some parts of the South.
I got a lot of replies to that piece, most of them positive, but a handful—mostly from the other side of the city—were venomously negative. Some were almost too toxic to read. But a couple really knocked me for six because they came from fellow Celtic supporters whose anti-immigrant rhetoric would have been right at home in the Reform Party, UKIP, or even the BNP.
Even more incredible was that one of those posts came from an Irish guy, who apparently fails to recognize that he’s supporting a club founded by immigrants and refugees from his own country—a club that still proudly carries an Irish identity as a result of that history. There are few clubs in world football with such a historic and current relationship with the refugee community. I was flabbergasted that anyone from an Irish background, and supporting this club, could spout some of the worst Faragist nonsense I’ve ever read.
That was a timely and, in some ways, welcome reminder of what complacency within our support could look like and the consequences it could have. If someone of that mindset can feel part of this family and this club, then we can never let our guard down for a minute.
The Irish diaspora was persecuted in almost every corner of the world in which it set foot. But the Irish community stuck together, got organized, got educated, got political, and then it filled out public services and enhanced the countries where it formed communities. That understanding of Ireland extends across the world.
And we don’t know what great service might be rendered to this country—or other countries—by its immigrant communities and its refugees. What colossal historic impact might they have in their adopted homelands?
But I do know this, and we’ve learned this hard lesson from Brexit: every major part of this country’s economy depends, to one degree or another, on the hard work of migrants, whether legal or not. The more barriers we put up, the more difficulties we create for those people, the more our society suffers for it.
This is a country with an aging population. This is a country with declining numbers. The more you look at the data, the more you see that the UK’s anti-immigrant stance is not just misguided but dangerous to our continuing prosperity as a nation. Immigrants play a crucial role in sustaining the workforce and helping to balance the demographic scales.
But more than economics, when you think of the discord and disaster that Western foreign policy has sown around the globe, when you think of the damage we have done to entire countries and entire peoples, there’s a moral responsibility to those fleeing the consequences of our actions.
We cannot, and should not, run away from that responsibility.
Scotland welcomes immigrants. Scotland welcomes refugees. Celtic was founded by immigrants and refugees.
That meant something then, and it means something now. It is a source of satisfaction and pride that this fan base sends that message and believes in that creed. It’s one of the things that makes Celtic truly special.
This article was supposed to post yesterday, in case there’s some confusion over the headline you click on!
Even moreso it was at Hibs. The model in Glasgow Walfrid followed to feed the hungry immigrants.
There is nothing wrong with immigrants coming to the UK or Scotland as long as they are contributing to the country’s economy, but the boat people, the illegals, and “asylum” seekers living in hotels at our tax payers expense is not on, and if I was still living in Scotland, I would be joining the protesters as long as there was no violence.
You clearly have no idea do you?
Do you know WHY they are living in hotels? No. Do you know what the conditions are in those hotels? No.
Do you know that 80% plus of processed asylum claims are granted? No.
Total ignorance.
Where are you living then Michael?
Mr Collins, did you go on a protest march when the government gave £21 Billion pounds to their friends during lockdown? Did you march to protest at no houses being built by the government? Did you march to protest against the backlog of asylum claims nobody looks at? Or did you just follow the newspapers that have been demonising refugees for the past decade?
Since they’re not allowed to work, it’s hard to see how they can contribute; yet they’re taking our jobs. A wee explanation needed.
Michael asylum seekers are allowed to come to this country,they are only illegal migrants if their asylum bid fails ,they are then sent back to where they come from.In the case of asylum seekers bidding to stay here,the Tory government held back processing their application papers,so we’ve built up a backlog that the Tories deliberately wanted to achieve so they could go on about the cost of housing these refugees/asylum seekers,70 to 80 percent of these applications would be passed so these people could stay in this country but the Tory government, spurred on by the likes of farage and Robertson held back on processing knowing the vast majority would be approved which didn’t fit in with the increasingly right wing of the tories.so you’re wrong on all counts,also even if you went on one of these protest,riots whatever you call them even if you don’t chuck bricks bottles etc even just being on a protest march can get you pinched and jailed so I wouldn’t even think about it,never mind even wanting to go on one.
Exactly! The ignorance of the looney left virtue signallers know no bounds. Apply to come here legally, adhere to the customs and laws of the land and you will be a welcome addition.
What a dickhead you are lol
Such eloquence.
One can have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but to speak without love, one is simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing (Corinthians)
Aim to be better than a mere drum my friend.
As an Irishman my fellow citizen should be ashamed of myself
Himself
Yes James, I was so proud of the Celtic support for unfurling that banner, I’ve no doubt it was orchestrated by the much maligned Green Brigade, but in this instance they have covered themselves in glory. Well done our Bhoys, you have made an auld man very happy.
Hear Hear, comrade.
I can’t remember where it was, it might have been on here. In fact, I am fairly sure it was as this is the only place I share my warped views. Anyway, I was commenting on the banner that the GB displayed after Rod Stewart publicly congratulated Boris fucking Johnson on winning the 2019 General Election. I mean, what a complete cock.
I made the assertion that any Celtic fan should.be embarrassed to be a Tory. And I was shouted down for it. OK, a club open to all. I agree with that, obviously. But surely not to goose-stepping fascists. It’s just so incongruous with our ethos.
To all you right wing idiots out there who call themselves Celtic fans. Away n support that othet lot because that’s more im tune with your hateful ideals. The shower of shite that they are. And that’s swearing, that is!!!!
I’m no expert, tho i don’t think the problem for most people (including myself) lies in the taking in of immigrants and it never should, if the country were in a more stable condition. It’s an undeniable reality, that at this time, the sheer scale of overcrowding is a very real concern with regards to public services, Housing NHS etc. and also understandably worrying in this day and age, about who it is thats coming in. Surely these are realistic and natural concerns. We see what’s happening in Ireland itself now. A working and thorough vetting system, would at least help put people’s minds at rest. As I said tho, I’m not an expert or authority, it’s just an observation.
Were we really immigrants though? Depends on your definition of the word. We were moving from one part of the UK (at that time) to another. Incomers, yes, but immigrants, not for me.
What in God’s name are you talking about?
What part are you struggling with? I tried to make it as simple as possible.
Apparently not.
Indeed so.
At times James I really don’t understand how Celtic supporters can think like Michael and James garrity they sound like right wing I’m alright Jack Tories Kevin goes on about the NHS being overcrowded,my wife was in hospital for 2 weeks recently,and I would wager that at least 80 percent of the staff,consultants ,doctors , nurses , porters, ancillary staff were either descendants of people who were welcomed to this country in the 60s or immigrants who were legally allowed to be here, because without them the NHS would collapse,and the housing crisis is because not enough houses are being built,or people can’t afford them anyway,and even renting property is becoming far too costly,it’s nothing to do with immigration.
Ok Jim, because I say that people who move from one part of the UK to another are not immigrants, I’m a “right-wing I’m all right Tory”. At least you didn’t call me a goose-stepping fascist, I should be pleased.
Sorry James, maybe a right wing Tory was taking it too far.
Sieg Heil, Adolf. Lolz.
Maybe Jim 🙂
All I’ve said is that I don’t think people moving within the one country should be called immigrants.
But, for that, some people on here think I shouldn’t be supporting Celtic.
Unreal.
@ JD. Jim, your obviously missin my point. That bein, I’m not sayin at all, that people who are of immigrant status, who work in the public sectors – nhs etc are the problem. I was referrin to the population itself in general. It’s because of overcrowding, that and poor funding, our nhs system is at breaking point. Any nhs worker could tell you that.
@ JG. Aye right enough. Maself, i’m from Scottish-incomer descendants. Wtf man.
Or Scottish- Irish, incomer descendancy rather ! (managed tae fk that up, never mind).
That’s a strange combo, KM, I’m simply from Irish stock. They moved from another part of the UK, Ireland, to here around 1850.
Had they come from Newcastle or Manchester I wouldn’t have called them immigrants; would you?
See, right there, you give yourself away.
You just classed Ireland as part of the UK, something NONE of those people ever did.
Thanks for making my point.
Give myself away? In what way? You’re a bit presumptuous in thinking you know how all those people felt 170 years ago, are you not? Anyway, I’ll deal with reality, you can deal with presumed hopes and dreams.
A modern day analogy would be for Scottish Nationalists travelling to London and regarding themselves as immigrants. The reality would be something quite different.
You gave yourself away. That’s not a proper analogy at all.
Why, because you say so? What do you mean I’ve given myself away? Accusations are easy; backing them up, not so much.
And the analogy is very apt; I even tried to simplify it for you.
@ JG. Nothin strange about the ‘combo’ as you call it. Scottish- Irish descendancy. Both parents Scottish. My grandfather’s family came over here from Ireland from around the beginnin of the 20th century. Clear it up any ? Good ! So what would you call them ? Incomers !
Kevan, I’d call them people, first and foremost. But between incomers or immigrants, I’d go for incomers, because like it or not, the reality is that all of Ireland was part of the UK at that time.
I really didn’t think saying this would cause such a future.
As Fergus McCann might say, “I am not the enemy”.
🙂
That should say furore, not future
🙂
It’s not being against immigrants james, it’s the level of immigration people are worried about, and illegal immigrants, thats the problem. I dont think people should be getting called racists for having an issue with that. The human being in anybody I’d imagine would be to help anyone in need, but like I’ve said a few times on this, immigration is an issue for a lot of people, and when you are getting countries like Ireland having a protest, then you know its at the top of people’s thinking, with regards to politics.
People don’t even KNOW what the “level of immigration” is. There are lies galore about this issue.
Thanks Goodghuy. As you say it is the level of immigrants I was on about, all these thousands of boat people arriving and being kept by the UK taxpayer.
James have you not seen all the stuff online regarding immigrants in Ireland.? you would think it was england harsh reality is a lot of countries don’t want immigrants and Ireland is no different. HH
No, SOME PEOPLE in those countries don’t want immigrants.
Do not suggest that entire countries, or entire populations, feel that way.
A handful of dickheads who believe everything they read on Twitter doesn’t represent a majority view.
@ JA. Tae say ‘a lot of countries don’t want immigration’ ! That’s just wrong. It’s like sayin the whole of a countries population, which is rubbish. And tbf, ah think for the most part, i.e. the Irish communities, like others in this present time, are understandably more concerned about their own housing problems and the ‘wisdom’ of adding to that. And also (rightly so), the background of the people being moved into their areas. Ah don’t believe in general, that they have anything personal against immigrants.
Agreed, it was great to see that banner and especially at Easter Road as Hibs have similar roots. And it’ll piss off the new huns and the huns without the bus fare as both those showers are Xenophobic as well as all their other obnoxious facets.
I don’t think the problem has ever been immigration per se, given that the British Isles (term chosen carefully) has been built on migration of one sort or another over millennia never mind centuries, but the the piling up of the latest arrivals into already poor, disenfranchised and marginalised established communities was always pitting them against each other for jobs, housing and services. When you add into the mix that many of the latest arrivals are traumatised escapees from war zones (wars usually started or fomented by the west) whose behaviour can at times reflect this, and the numbers so great and the system for processing asylum applications so broken that they have to be put up en masse in hotels for months on end, the situation is so ripe for exploitation by right wing agitators and opportunists that you don’t need to be Noam Chomsky to see how the mood music on the subject has changed so dramatically. There is a lot of work to be done to take the toxicity out of the subject. Understanding that it’s not a binary issue of it being good or bad is usually a decent starting point.
That was a brilliant read James.
Everything on it was spot on, and how you pointed out about immigrants being essential to Scotland’s future prosperity is something that racist hate to hear.
Goodghuy their only illegal immigrants if their application gets turned down,up to that point they are asylum seekers.
I thought your article was well written & very true I to was alarmed at the thought of fellow supporters having these disgusting views I think they should take a long hard look at theirselves & hing their heads in shame
Hi James
some pathetic drivel from some ‘fans’ who I would have hoped would know better. Growing up in Edinburgh from an irish catholic background I and many of us were regarded as ‘immigrants’ . I am 69 and at that time Scotland was a little sectarian ‘hole’ Anti Irish and anti catholicism was visceral and violent. Scotland has benefited from waves of immigration for generations whether Polish, Italian, Lithuanians in the 19th century, Sikhs, Indians, Pakistanis, Bengalis to name a few in the 20th century and we are richer for it. Surely Scotlsnd can afford to oiffer protection from those fleeing oppression poverty? Becuase that what Bro Walfrid learnt from Hibernian and what is what Celtic is all about. So if you cant agree with the purpose of the club maybe you should support someone else
James just as an aside, were you aware that Tommy Robinson nee Stephen Yaxley – Lennon travels under an Irish Passport with all the European freedom of movement it imparts. He of the Brexit movement has an Irish mother.
Hahahaha yeah and I find it amusing that he lied on his passport application and might wind up doing a stretch for it too!
Great Banner indeed !
Watched the Sevco v Dynamo Kyiv game and they seem such a confused fuckin lot…
One minute it’s ‘Why don’t yous go home” aka ‘The Famine Song’ –
Not sure if it was intended at Celtic supporters or The Dynamo Kyiv fans…
Then it was a long blast of Scottish freedom song Caledonia…
(Though goodness knows what the lyrics were – I doubt they’ll be in favour of an independent and free from Brit tyranny Scotland) – That much is sure !