Yesterday I read with some astonishment the comments attributed to Peter Grant, where he said he wouldn’t sleep all summer if we lose at Ibrox and that it would take the shine off what Brendan Rodgers and his team have done for the rest of this season — i.e., the treble.
And this is why I sometimes wish that a couple of our former players would just shut it and stop embarrassing themselves.
This is a pro-Ibrox narrative he’s spouting here. I expect this kind of desperate talk from the likes of The Village Idiot and the dregs of the Ibrox fan forums. He sounds like one of those liberal politicians who throws around the word “woke” as an insult to fellow liberals. He needs to stop and think for two seconds about the garbage on the tip of his tongue before he says something like that. And just in case people think I’m exaggerating, here’s the quote:
“It doesn’t matter if you have won the league or not. You have to try and win this game and please believe me, it will be gut-wrenching if you don’t.”
It doesn’t matter if you’ve won the league or not?
Is he serious? Apparently so, because when he was asked if that’s really what he’s saying, that it would detract in some way from our title win he said “Absolutely.” Which is about as daft as anything that has come out of Hugh Keevins’ mouth in the past ten years. That’s the level he’s reached here.
What goes on in this guy’s head? I’ve heard a lot of people say that he’s not the sharpest tool in the box, and when you listen to him commentate on Celtic TV, sometimes it makes you want to smash your computer to smithereens.
But this is like a piss-take — although I know he was being deadly serious. It might be the most moronic thing I’ve heard someone say this year. And let’s be honest — there’s fierce competition.
Let me repeat what I said the other day: I still haven’t decided how much I care about the result of this game. It’s far from something that’s going to keep me up all summer long. I doubt I’ll be particularly bothered by the result, whatever it might be, because in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t mean a damned thing. I treat their games as I treat games against any other side. I expect to win them, but I don’t make them into do-or-die affairs — because they’re not.
Let me put it this way: even if we lose this game, not only have we won the league but we will win the league by a double-digit margin — and that’s after dropping 9 points to them. So I really don’t know who over there will take comfort from that.
I don’t know who will take any heart from it, but they are welcome to if it helps them sleep at night. But I know that I won’t lose one minute of sleep over it. Not one minute of sleep. These games simply aren’t that important anymore.
Or let me try to put it a different way: they are no more important than the games against any other side in this league.
You get 3 points for it — or you don’t. Either it moves you up in the league or it doesn’t. It either puts you in front by a greater margin or you lose a little ground. But we’ve already got over the line. It’s finished. So, the game, to us? I don’t know what you want me to say — it doesn’t mean a whole lot.
Grant comes from a generation filled with ex-players and ex-managers who’ve never stopped calling this an Old Firm game. That is, he comes from a generation that defines our club by the rivalry.
And that’s why the rivalry means more to him — and to certain people within that cohort — than the league title does.
Let me tell you something: I write about that club a lot, but I mostly do it to mark the way that they define themselves against us. They try to be the version of themselves that can beat us — even if it’s for one game, even if it’s for one trophy. And they don’t celebrate those things for their own sake, but for what they mean to us.
And I know there’s a certain element of our support which does define itself by how much damage we can do to them. I’m just not part of that segment. Would I trade four defeats against them next season for the league title? Damn right I would.
And I would celebrate it as I’ve celebrated the last four.
I’d celebrate it like I’ve celebrated 13 out of the last 14 — and I wouldn’t even hesitate.
Now, look, this isn’t to say the game doesn’t matter at all. I just don’t attach any particular significance to it, except for having lost the last twice. I would be concerned if the same team beat us three times in a row. I wouldn’t care which team it was — I would have the same concerns, and I’d be looking to the manager to come up with the answers either way.
Grant’s comments are ridiculous.
What he’s done is parrot pro-Ibrox talking points. And I know he’s done that unwillingly. I know he’s done it because he hasn’t thought through the words coming out of his mouth. I know he’s done it because he’s too stupid not to do it.
But none of that could matter less.
Those comments are profoundly idiotic, and he should have kept his mouth shut rather than make them. He’s made himself look like a fool.
Anyone who would trade a league title just to beat them in an almost meaningless game should be having nightmares.
He probably doesn’t deserve to sleep over the summer if that’s the kind of stuff that goes on in his head.
You are going a bit too far there James with your insults towards a Celtic great, I don’t like it one bit. Wee Peter is Celtic through and through and all he means by his statement is that any game against them is of the utmost importance, he may have embellished and exaggerated that fact a bit too strongly, but he means well. Like you, I consider that other mob as a bit of an irrelevance nowadays, but at the same time when those games arrive I am filled with the same old hatred and passion that has always been there. Peter is no clown or idiot, words very badly chosen, and as regards his comments on Celtic TV, I have always had the utmost respect for his insights and analysis, he is definitely one of the better pundits we have had on there. When Peter talks I listen, he’ not perfect, none of us are, and you have just proved that, but give the wee man a break, he is the opposite of all the other media soup takers in my opinion.
Well said JG, anyone who listens to Peter knows he is a proper Celtic man. I watched The if you know your history documentary about the Centennials recently and Peter was featured in it, when he scored in the derby you could see what it meant to him. There are players who have fleetingly been part of our club who subsequently bad mouth us who the terms “clownish” are appropriate for. Peter was at Celtic for 15 years and made almost 500 appearances for us, he deserves our recognition and respect and he is more than entitled to his opinion. Finally, perhaps if this game meant as much to some of our current players as it did to him we wouldn’t have had to sit through some of the abject performances we have witnessed recently.
You write a lot of sense James, I am in total agreement as regards to ex players in the media platforms agreeing with the continuation lie, and in the same breath not taking so called pundits like Boyd, who continually uses the auld f##m phrase to task, lying about demotion in 2012. I nearly walked away from football back then because I knew they would be assisted with the press and authorities, the whole rhetoric has changed to financial difficulties, unfairly dealt with, holding company etc. Keep up the good work
I’m with Johnny on this one. All Peter’s guilty of is having a different point of view and a different gut feeling than James, no more than that. I also look forward to watching him do his match analysis for any match and he’s always ahead of everyone else in the studio.
Take this “Clownish” article down, you’re embarrassing yourself.
And? He’s a bimbo. Peter Grant says…
Aye, OK Peter — that’s bedtime.
I get that folk feel the need to monitor the usual illiterate hun mob and their tribute act, but me? Surface level only. That’s all they’re worth.
When I say I don’t care what they think — I mean it. I don’t care what anyone thinks, let alone some bitter cretins who hate everything we are and always have been.
I remember being spat on at Tynecastle, Ibrox away with the supporters bus 13 or that. And even through the defeats, the booted bawz, and the heartbreak, lording Huns oldco and the rest of itI’d still not pish on a hun if he was allergic.
Celtic fans need to let it go. It’s a sad sad sightt. Screaming that you are enjoying it in the way a drunk says their no.
Not Hearts fans. Not the rest of that seething mob who live to drag Celtic’s name into the gutter, clinging to abuse scandals and revisionist shite… the true spawn of right-wing fuds.
Sometimes I scroll my contacts, looking for hun pals.
Then I smile.
Because I’ve none.
And I wouldn’t sully myself with ‘friends’ who despise the very soul of what I am.
I’ll just leave that there.
Nothing’s changing.
Nothing they say will ever deserve a passing thought.
Celebrate the league.
Enjoy the good times.
And get yer hole.
Smell the glove ?
PG comes from a different era. That’s a ridiculous, disrespectful comment, callin the guy stupid. Just for example, ah think he comes across quite well on Celtic TV. Certainly no as embarrassin as the likes of Tam Boyd. Ah’ve never played for Celtic and far as ah know you JF, haven’t either. So we dont know how it feels tae be on the receivin ends of a deby defeat the way these guys dae. He was a great servant tae us and one of the persons ah doubt very much, would fall intae an ibrox narrative easily. It means that much tae him he probably means what he says. Because he maybe takes it a bit deeper tae heart than a lot of us, doesnae make him stupid.
Kevcelt59. Did you get educated in Scotland? Where did you learn English? I am not saying everyone’s English should be perfect, but yours is that bad it is way over the top.
Oh dear. Just when you think TCB can’t get any worse, this article gets posted. Are you Clachnacuddin in disguise?
Peter Grant is a Celtic legend – he has earned the right to voice an opinion. Can you say the same James?
Erm… Given that I haven’t commented on my opinion of this article Malc – Where does this ‘Are you Clachnacuddin in disguise’ come from…
I’m intrigued with the ‘disguise’ ascertation given Halloween is six months less one day away (184 days)…
Be brave and give me your answer please as I enjoy debate regarding all walks of life !
Clach, you are famous in some circles for posting shite – if it’s not your completely inappropriate profanities in every other paragraph, it’s constantly going on and on and on about the scummies of the scummy scottish scummy media. It’s boring… and shite. Offers nothing. Like this particular article.
Then they’re was the time you claimed to be embarrassed to be Scottish cos of something or the other that happened in a football match once…
You come across as someone who is aged 12. Grow up.
Peter Grant was a reasonably good ex Celtic player. Celtic Legend? Nah. I agree with James it is an idiotic thing to say. Like every Celtic fan I really would like Celtic to win on Sunday, if they don’t I’ll be a wee bit disappointed, nothing more. The League won and hopefully a treble, that’ll do for me over the summer.
Like everyone who follows Celtic, Grant is allowed an opinion, but this one is particularly stupid.
@ micmac. How is it stupid ? There are loads of Celtic supporters like myself, no just x players like PG. who think, or feel, if they win again ( thats 3 times) it does put an uncomfortable blemish on the season. Nae real importance in the grand scheme of things of course, but a downside just the same. Are we all stupid tae ? Ah think we would like tae see it a bit more convincin where that mob are concerned.
Kev, where I think the comment is stupid, is the description of not winning as gut wrenching. If the game was deciding the League, and we lost, that would be gut wrenching.
Winning this game would give us a feel good Sunday night, losing it would be annoying but not gut wrenching.
In April 1967 the Celtic support turned up at Celtic Park to watch the game against Dundee Utd, a victory won us the League. We got defeated 3-2, Dundee Utd were undefeated against us that season, having defeated us on Hogmanay at Tannadice. That was annoying that night not gut wrenching, we had another 2 games to win the League and won it at Ibrox the following Saturday. Then went on to become Champions of Europe in Lisbon a couple of weeks later. Dundee Utd were undefeated against the European Champions that season. That’s why we all love the game it throws up the unexpected every now and again, I actually think Celtic will show their class and win on Sunday, if they don’t I won’t find it Gut wrenching. Sorry for the history lesson.
Saw the comment from Peter and was disappointed . It deserves nothing more than a passing reference
Not a public assassination on a great guy . We all say silly things from time to time
Sounds like he is looking for a gig on superscoreboard
grant was wrong in what he said . does he mean the last game when we get the league trophy will be a damp squib ? and no one will be heading along the gallowgate to celebrate ?. i am old enough to remember losing both league games against the old club during the first nine in row 19-68-69 when we won the treble for example. his comments were not very wise knowing the sevco media will lap it up.
James due an opinion as does Peter. Grant was not the best player I ever saw at Celtic but was in his blood. He does well as does Simon on Celtic tv.
Every game against them is important. Daft comments from PG aye but no celtic fan can say they don’t care about losing to that mob. The fact they’ve beaten us twice in a row in the league is concerning because if they do get their act together against everyone else in the league then it spells trouble down the line. League won or not, if the players can’t get motivated to beat them in their own backyard then something is very wrong
Sorry James but you have got it wrong this time.
Peter Grant is only guilty of being an out and out Tim.
No excuses from Peter , the game is very important and he wants to win at all cost.
One of the worst articles I’ve read on here. Peter has earned respect as a true Celt. The insult about his intelligence is petty and vindictive. As far as I understand, a PHD is not required to be a midfielder. Wind your neck in James. Your major flaw is you really think you are smarter than EVERYONE!
Compare Grant’s reply to McCowan’s savvy reply.No contest.
Is Grant just another one desperate to keep the O** F*** alive ?.
McCowan has got them spitting blood on FF.
James, I’m a tad surprised with some of the words you’ve used to describe Peter Grant in your article. I have certainly never thought of him as stupid, and believe he’s just very passionate about the club he’s supported all his days, and had the good fortune to represent for 15 years.
He is from the era of Celtic players, that experienced many highs, and ultimately, the lows, when the first Ibrokes club were staunchly lording it over our club and players. So regardless of our present dominance. he will have plenty of significant memories, ( good and bad,) which would certainly influence his comments, at times, whether we agree or not !
Having said that, I disagree that if we lose on Sunday it defiles a treble winning season. None of us like to see us lose to any team that emanates from Govan, but it happens, ( from time to time ) in meaningless fixtures.
The most important thing is that our club continues to be successful, and hopefully always at their expense.
The hard work has been done by BR and the players and we know the silverware is back where it belongs, whilst they polish the bicycle!!!
Regardless of how fervent and passionate we all are as Celtic fans, it’s very important that we always put a sensible perspective on ANY game of football.
I would always much prefer to see and hear guys like P Grant & S Donnelly, than the majority of charlatans we presently have to tolerate.
These guys, unlike many others, are passionate about Celtic and that should always be applauded!!! HH
Grant goes much too far. But? I’d hate to lose three in a row against them. We are even money favourites to win. We should be highly motivated to go there and hammer them. Losing is unthinkable.
My uncle worked in the sheet metal business and an ex-Rangers full back, forgotten his name, got a job as a sales rep for a company when he retired from football. While he was dealing with him he told my uncle that Rangers had offered Eddie Turnbull the manager’s job. He was with Hibs and had just won the League Cup but Turnbull balked at the small wage.
According to the ex-player he, Turnbull was told he would be the main representative of the Protestant community and not known for his delicate language Turnbull told them where to go.
This is why the Ibrox club always has to be beaten as it diminishes the arrogance of the club and camp followers in the media and elsewhere.
James, you were astonished by Peters ‘clownish, moronic’ comments, he’s stupid and made himself look a fool.? We all know Peter’s history with the club and the fact that he’s a die hard supporter but here you are ridiculing him because he doesn’t think the way you do.
You have your ideas about what this game means {or doesn’t} mean to you and I disagree with those views but that doesn’t make you a clown or a fool, just a supporter with an alternate view, I love a lot of what you post but you are beginning to sound like some of the Green brigade who think we should all support the club in the same way they do….. there is room for us all and berating and denigrating others because their views are counter to yours is, using your words clownish and foolish and in my opinion beneath you and your standards, please don’t let your writing delve to the depths of other sites I could mention. Peter Grant deserves an apology.
Interesting debate and a hugely mixed variation of responses…
For what it’s worth here’s mine…
1) – Personally I wanna win the league of course I do but also beat Sevco whilst winning it…
2) – If I have a gun to ma head and have to pick – Beat Sevco and lose the league it’s NEVER to that one for sure…
3) – Peter Grant – Absolute Celtic diehard, they are few and far between in The Scummy Scottish Football Media for sure…
4) – Peter Grant success v Sevco – Not a huge amount sadly though nobody can question his desire, effort or passion and there were ten other guys who also have to take responsibility for these failures as well as Granty and remember Aberdeen were a top domestic and European club in these days along with Dundee United and five medals in a very very competitive time in Scottish Football ain’t too shabby…
5) – So that’s it for me – Being Champions is ALWAYS the priority, Beating Sevco along the way a close second, doing both an ideal world and exactly what we all want but don’t always get unfortunately and won’t get on Sunday if Brendan remains pig headed in his tactical strategy…
Cheers Fae – “Clachnacuddin in disguise” !