Why Celtic? As a new fan, I want to try to answer that question.

This article is a special one, because I’ll be talking about why I chose Celtic and what makes this club so unique.

I’m also going to explain my understanding of the Celtic vs Ibrox rivalry, talk about things that have made me understand it better, and answer the question of why Glasgow is a divided city.

This is subject I’m new to, and it’s complex, so bear with me if I seem to have a very simple understanding of it.

I’m still learning, still trying to work my way through my feels.

But thinking again about the story I told in my first piece, about how my auntie mistook Ibrox for our ground and their club for our club, I feel that I need to explore that simple question; why Celtic?

It grew out of my love for Glasgow, the city. But there are other clubs in this city, so why this one?

Well, that’s what I want to talk about here.

To start with, I strongly disagree with judging people on any basis, and what I’ve found as I’ve looked at this subject is shocking; deep religious hatreds in some sections of society in Scotland targeted at Catholics and Celtic fans.

It genuinely hurts me when I hear that people in the city and country I have come to love treat fellow citizens as if they’re from the margins of society, or a lesser kind of human being. I know racism exists; I never imagined it in this form.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the Celtic vs Ibrox rivalry as a ‘fresh’ Celtic fan, but I want to share not only my personal views on this subject, but also how I feel about Celtic and why it’s a special club.

The rivalry between Celtic and the clubs from Ibrox is deeply rooted in a mix of religion, politics, social identity, and historical tensions between the Scottish and Irish communities in Glasgow. Personally, I think it’s more than just a football rivalry – it reflects deep-seated divisions within Scottish society.

Religious division and sectarianism are central to this rivalry and one of the key reasons why Glasgow is a divided city. Celtic was founded by Irish immigrants and Brother Walfrid to support the Irish Catholic community in Glasgow.

In contrast, the Ibrox club traditionally draws support from the Protestant community, particularly among native Scots and Ulster Scots. Celtic is associated with Irish Catholicism, with supporters flying Irish flags and singing Irish songs, often expressing support for Irish republicanism. The Ibrox club’s support base is largely Protestant, aligned with Protestant unionism.

This is sometimes regarded as a simplification, and in terms of Celtic it certainly is, but the unionist sentiment is ever present and self evident on the fan forums across the city. It stands out a mile.

And so Glasgow, a city I care deeply about, wears two colours – green and blue. Sometimes you’re even asked, “What colour are you?” – a question that can lead to judgement or discrimination. This, for many, is the root of the problem. It’s a reason why Catholics were often discriminated against – not only by Ibrox fans but, sadly, sometimes even by public and private institutions.

I personally despise religious bigotry, hatred, and sectarianism.

I can’t comprehend why some institutions and Ibrox supporters would treat Celtic fans, Roman Catholics, or Irish people as if we’re of lesser worth.

It staggered me to learn, recently, that once upon a time you might be asked whether you’re Catholic or Protestant at a job interview, and that you might be eliminated from consideration if you gave the wrong answer. Here, in Poland, we have discrimination, but nothing as open or as blatant as that.

We Celtic fans are rightly proud of who we are, and of this amazing, special club we support. I honestly cannot comprehend some of the bitterness I have seen online since I started to come to grips with why I love this club … and why others seem to hate it.

Let me explain sectarianism: it refers to strong loyalty to a religious or political group that leads to conflict or discrimination against others.

Why do some Ibrox fans hate us so much? I genuinely don’t get it.

I’ll give you an example that sticks in my memory; watching one of my first Celtic vs Ibrox matches in a Glasgow bar, I had to ask what their fans were singing; they crossed every possible line by singing, “Up to our knees in Fenian blood” – along with other disgusting chants. What does that even mean? That they want to swim in our blood? Who gave them the right to say that? Why so much hate?

I believe that fans singing that should be arrested.

Who do they think they are, calling themselves “We are the People”?

What does that even mean – the chosen people? Chosen by whom? By singing that, their fans insult us, our feelings, our history, our faith, our values – everything. But you know what? I don’t care. I’m a proud Celtic fan, and I’m proud to be on the ‘green and white’ side of Glasgow.

There have been incidents at Ibrox and at Celtic Park where their fans threw sharp objects at our players – and some of our bhoys got hurt. Why didn’t the police identify and arrest the perpetrators immediately?

Does their silence mean they condone this? It feels that way. It looks that way when you read stories of our fans being stopped in the streets and not allowed to get to games.

I also read, recently, about the sectarian signing policy they once operated, and again, that left me deeply shocked. It shouldn’t be like this. You shouldn’t be excluded from a football club just because of your religion. It is good that they stopped this practice, although I’m told that for years they would not allow their Catholic players to express their faith. Which is just as bad.

Religion isn’t the only reason for the rivalry.

Political and nationalistic tensions are another layer. The rivalry reflects Northern Ireland’s political situation, with Celtic fans often associated with Irish republicanism and Ibrox fans with loyalism.

It’s also a clash of identities – Irish-Scots versus British or Ulster-Scots.

Social and economic divisions also play a part, especially in Glasgow’s working-class areas. I struggle to understand the difference in cultural outlooks; how can people from working class communities be royalists? Were these divisions reflected in the Brexit vote? Is “We are the people” about racial superiority, cultural superiority or economic superiority? How can anyone defend that?

Historically, Celtic was founded to support the poor Irish Catholic immigrants who came to Glasgow for work. But in its shipyards and other industries a lot of people didn’t like this, and discrimination emerged. This social and ethnic divide left its mark on the rivalry. I am currently reading a couple of books on this to understand it better; as a complete outsider I’m finding it all a bit hard to comprehend.

Why do I call them “the Ibrox club” or just “Ibrox.”

James Forrest, my good friend, calls them that, and he pointed me in the direction of some stuff about the financial collapse, mismanagement at Rangers and the fantasy bubble they live in. I’m reading an excellent book right now, which James recommended, from the writer Stephen O’Donnell; it’s called Fergus McCann Versus David Murray: How Celtic Turned the Tables on Their Glasgow Rivals.

Calling them “the club from Ibrox” clearly separates one stage of history from the other. It’s an acknowledgement that this is the second Ibrox club.

It’s our way of calling it what it is.

I want to share a moment from another book that captures the Celtic vs Ibrox dynamic. It’s from Divided City, about two best friends – one a Celtic fan, one an Ibrox fan:

“You’re in Scotland. Why have you got Irish flags hanging out your windows?”
“It’s part of the tradition,” said Joe. “It’s why the club was founded – to help the Irish poor. We don’t turn our back on our history.”
“But you are Scottish.”
“I know, but roots matter. Why shouldn’t we show where we’re from? Anyway, why do you lot wave the Red Hand of Ulster? And sing about King Billy from 1690?”
“It’s tradition,” said Graham.
“Well there you go – you’ve got yours, and we’ve got ours.”

It’s fair to say that I already understand one part of that much better than the other.

Celtic is special to me because it seems to stand for certain important values, values which I hold dear; dignity, inclusion, support for the poor and weak, and a real sense of community. I admire the club and the Bhoys because even in the modern world, they’ve continued the mission of Brother Walfrid. Every year they visit hospices, donate to the needy, and bring hope to terminally ill children.

I nearly cried watching a wee fan of Jota and McGregor light up with joy when they walked into a room. It was like sunshine breaking through dark clouds. That’s the power of Celtic. That’s why I’m proud to be a part of it. That’s why this club gives my life a greater meaning; in this Family, I feel safety, understanding, and love.

Just the other day I watched the footage of when Brendan Rodgers and the Bhoys visited Pope Francis, who sadly passed away this week. Watching as they presented him with a signed Celtic shirt and a Celtic cross melted my heart. I loved them even more for it.

As I said in my very first article – I’m proud to be a Celtic fan. I chose Celtic because it reflects my values, my faith, my roots.

It respects people. It welcomes everyone. It gives me a sense of purpose. I’m grateful to be part of the Celtic family, and I thank all my fellow supporters for welcoming me to Paradise – the better, greener side of Glasgow.

I will be with Celtic until my very last day.