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Celtic FC

This season was never going to be easy with the appointment of a new manager and the League title going over to the southside to Ibrox but what I did not expect was the levels of abuse that the manager have had to take just so soon after taking the job on!
No one said it was going to be easy but Tony certainly never thought it would be this hard!
And he is not the only one getting it in the neck from the Celtic support,seems that I am no use either only difference is I am not paid for doing something that I enjoy doing and I could walk away from this tomorrow but just like Tony Mowbray I won't!

Strange that after a few weeks of results and happenings on and off the field that I should be starting talking about the supporters in this ESPN Celtic blog and not the team-WHY?

I'll tell you why shall I because I have had enough!

People think managing Celtic or writing about Celtic is an easy job,well have a go if you think you have the bottle....thought so!

This season has not been the best,I know it,Tony Mowbray knows it,the board know it,the players know it and the fans know it,in fact it has been a bit of a let down so far has it not?

Sometimes that's what happens,things let you down,people let you down,teams and even fans let you down,do you see where I am going with this one yet?

Let's try Falkirk on Sunday shall we,yes the team did let the manager and the fans down no question about that but lets give Falkirk a wee bit of credit shall we? Eddie May and his young side battled away to the bitter end to play their part in a thrilling second half performance and the 3-3 draw gave fans plenty to talk about both on and off the park.

The eyes and ears of the world must have been on the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday and had it not been for Sky hitting the mute button,Celtic's good name would have been tarnished once again by the few who decided to stand outside and chant whilst others observed the silence.

No matter what you think of Rememberance Sunday,people of all creeds and colours fought and lost their lives and even on the official Celtic website,they had an article with many names from the club's past who fought and lost their lives,this silence was for them as much as all the brave young men who fought and lost their lives.

Is it too much to ask for fans to pay tribute to people who lost their lives all those years ago?

Now before anyone starts,I know Celtic have a fantastic support,ask anyone who was in Seville,they are a passionate bunch who love their club and the biggest number of the support are fantastic but like Rangers and some other clubs,they do have some who would rather sing songs that could cause offence(as do Rangers) and bring the club's good name into the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

I have grown up here and know what the club is all about and how great a football club it is,with a fantastic history and players and managers who are legends,I don't want to see their good name in the press for all the wrong reasons.

Tony Mowbray introduced the Huddle to Celtic,maybe it is time that he and all of the Celtic support throw their arms out and pull together as one to get the club through these difficult times and not shame the club by throwing their scarves on the pitch after a 3-3 draw with Falkirk.

I think John and Edward are more popular than the Celtic boss at this particular time.

Celtic fans have been called the best fans in the world,maybe now is the time to prove it both on and off the field and if someone else wants to write this blog feel free but until someone else steps forward then I'll continue to do it to the best of my ability.

Maybe in the next blog we can get back to talking about the football?

Comments

Posted by Hoopsah on 11/10/2009

Well done, good article well written.

Couldn't agree more, firstly with the treatment of Mowbray who has only been in the job for 3 months and has had to assess all the players - from MacDonald to Flood.

Secondly, the eejits apparantly outside the Falkirk stadium singing during the minutes silence. I know we are all being told that it is because they are Irish and still harbour feelings against the British military - to them I can only say - away and support an Irish team then. Like it or not, Celtic are Scottish. I know we were started to help the original immigrants but that was over 100 years ago. We may be proud of our roots but at least some of us have the ability to look forward.

Posted by Matt on 11/10/2009

Here, here the best blog I've read in a while, Personally I think we'll get over this bad patch very soon, and when the team clicks, I think the league is there for the taking. lets face it the huns are c..p and the only other team that might cause us a problem is Hibs and I don't think they have enough in depth to win the league.

We have all been through worse times than this. remember 5 seasons without winning anything the evil empire winning 9 in a row just 2 examples.

Sean is right lets prove we're the best supporters in the world and stand by our beloved Celtic good or bad. Thank Sean

Posted by Mark on 11/10/2009

I have a season ticket, although due to illness I am unable to attend the games at the moment. I still have the right to criticise Moggy, he seems to play the team like Championship Manager, its never the same defence, he chops and changes the midfield, his substitions are pot luck and reckless at times. Where is this new exciting type of football he was supposed to bring. I don't understand he did well enough with a smaller squad and supposedly less quality players at Hibs, I would like it to work out for him here, but I think he has lost the respect of even the players and its no co-incidence that his record is being compared to Barnes.

No comment on the Sunday thing, there has been enough said already and you are just giving fuel to the people who love to hate on these forums.

Posted by Jim on 11/10/2009

Surprise, surprise, anonymous posters on the internet reveal Their "narrow minds" & the ease with which They're manipulated into "turn-coats."

I Know Several of the "Brave" Bhoys Who Stood "outside" the Falkirk stadium, out of Respect for the "Celtic-Fans" inside .... 1 of The Bhoys Doing Singing has a Masters Degree & another of the Dudes is a Teacher.

So those "CLONES" Calling Them an "eejits" need to Look in The Mirror & REPEAT the Word, as it Best describes Themselves.

More-over how more blatantly stupid & perverse could a so-called "CELTIC" Supporter be, than 1 Who WISHES We'd simply put OUR Irishness "behind" Us ?!?!

The WORD "Celtic" means Being of "Either" Irish or Scots Heritage .... Anyone Who doesn't Like That FACT can Go & Support an "Exclusively" Scottish Team.

Any Celtic-Fan Who Doesn't like BRAVE Celtic Fans SINGING about the British-army MURDERING Innocent Irish Catholics is an afete' coward Whose Ancestors must be Turning in Their Grave.

HAIL HAIL !!

Posted by Popes11 on 11/10/2009

I don't have a problem with TM (i'll give him two transfer windows) he can only work with the rubbish WGS left him. The outgoings in the next two windows should be, Heid, Hoof, Naylor, Wilson, Brown, Malloney, Crosas, MacDonald, Samaras and if no great improvement in the next few months, Fortune ( Admit your mistake). Only then will i judge TM.

Posted by Shug McClug on 11/10/2009

We are the best supporters in the world but we are being used and abused by the board at Celtic.It is all about profit and investment for the future so the board can make more profit.
There comes a time when we have to be measured, after all we pay the money and what we get in return is just pure abuse.
Mowbrey cannot hack it-where is Neil Lennon? The only one that has SPL experience.
The players Moggadon brought in are not good enough even for the SPL and is he going to get the chance to bring in more? I really hope not.
Chinese, Greeks, Japanese, Koreans, English and Australians? Not counting the Poles and the Irish. The Sottish players are also not good enough. Does he hold his team talks in sign language? How does he foster team spirit?
Communication and motivation are really not very good and not what you'd expect from a pro outfit.
The board are just lucky that there are so many more problems over at planet deathstar, that the full extent of Celtic's problems are overlooked

Posted by true celt on 11/10/2009

hoopsah, Celtic are Irish and always will be, go read your history,and in another 100yrs they will still be Irish.I thought in a democracy everyone had the right to object.The minutes silence was called for inside the ground,and was observed.What happens outside the ground is a protest, which the fans are entitled to have.

Posted by athenrye on 11/10/2009

Bit of a smug wee Sean are you not?
We don't love ourselves (Celtic supporters) but we do love Celtic.
If there is something wrong we admit it and demand change, in a civilised manner we demand that the board accept their collective responsibilty and do something to correct the problems that are visible to every paying fan and every one who has the best interests of Celtic at heart.
TM is a proven loser. His transfer choices have been poor and his motivational and tactical awareness leave a lot to be desired.
The Celtic support see this, the best support in the world, that stood by, through thick and thin are now rewarded with second class players/coaches and are expected to cheer with blind enthusiasm every boardroom announcement to the effect that we have no debt.We have the right to expect that the traditions of Celtic be upheld. At the moment it's not happening -that's why you can buy a season book tomoorrow and there are so many empty seats.
Years to wait, for an Arsenal book

Posted by Stefan on 11/10/2009

The minutes silence in the ground was NOT broken, so what's the issue? There is singing and noise outside of every football ground, but being a little breezeblock 'stadium' you could hear a dog barking outside....oh and as for the muting of the sound, perhaps that helped protect Falkirk FC supporters who where chanting 'why don't you go home' ???
This is still a free country, people can sing when they like, quite normal at football grounds actually!!..and I repeat, the minutes silence in the ground was NOT BROKEN.

Non story lad.

Posted by An Madadh Rua on 11/10/2009

Mince. Celtic are an Irish club. Get with it. Go and support St Mirren if you want to support a scottish club. Check next Saturday to see what flag is flying above the ground. It sure as shit ain't the saltire.

Posted by harrybhoy on 11/10/2009

couldnt agree more..the inconsistancy is troubling at the moment..I'm sure tony will reshuffle in january bringing in a central defender and striker for sure..maybe wee gordon will take a few of his buys down south and somebody, anybody please!! take samaras...but any new manager has to be given at least a full season..I hope the big man gets it right..a wee run of form should see us pull away fae the pack.....hail hail!!

Posted by skuBHOY on 11/10/2009

Great blog, I think most of those fans who are constantly moaning have forgotten, or don’t know what it was like to sit through the hun’s nine in a row. I know the team are as poor as I can ever remember them but that’s no TMs fault and he needs to be given the time. First and foremost the players that are there need to step up to the plate, especially players who have come through the ranks and should know exactly what it means to play in the green and white hoops. They are letting the fans, their manager and themselves down with some of their recent displays.
As for the disturbing the minutes silence, it was a disgrace. It is supposed to be a mark of respect for those how have died, men and women, young and old of all colours, creeds. It is not a celebration of the British army. I have no love for the British army; I have suffered at their hands in the past, but I do love Celtic Football Club and I can at least show respect to those who have past. Shutting up for one minute wouldn’t have hurt anyone but by singing the way they did those people have given the hun’s fans and the media the biggest stick they could have wished for, with which to beat all associated with Celtic over the head with. I think it is a problem we all must recognise and help remove from the club.
Hoopsah
The team has Irish and Scottish roots and is as much one as it is the other. And I for one will not ‘away and support an Irish team’ we are all Celtic supporters, through and through.

Posted by PrairieBhoy (Chicago) on 11/10/2009

Well said

Lets understand that the quality of player has moved back toward the pack in recent years. The same can be said for the group over at snake mountain. Even so, the talent is still superior to other teams in the SPL as they have had to downsize as well. McDonald and Samaras should be opportunistic goal scoring strikers, always looking for opportunities and not dithering in the box when they have them. Things can get better but only if the players play disciplined, pass the ball well and create multiple shot opportunities.

As for the fallen, God bless them. November 11th is veterans day in the US. I will fly the flag and remember the sacrifice of all. This included allies who have also fallen in defense of liberty. Forget the politics, honor those who died to protect you

Posted by Borucca on 11/10/2009

Celtic are not an Irish Club,if you know your history,Hibs have bigger claim.Get rid of Green Brigade they are a crowd of dis affected louts who cause trouble at nearly every home game as well.Let them join the knuckle draggers of the other lot and fight it out between them

Posted by belfastbhoy on 11/11/2009

To be honest that was a very good blog,i agree with most but not all of the blog.

Truly, Celtic's foundations are and always will be of IRISH roots,the tricolour will fly and songs of Irish pride and history will be sang,also for anyone to say that the minutes silence was broken is a slur on the club and its supporters.

In regards to the quality and standard of football we are seeing, it is well below past standards.When we as fans criticise the manager and team it is because we do demand better.is that not the way any passionate football fan would react.

we no longer wish to part of an OLD FIRM and be tarnished with the sectarian or disgusting riotous behaviour of another clubs fans.

We as Celtic fans will endeavour to uphold the great name of Glasgow Celtic but we will also never stand for anyone who has the honour to wear the hoops to think we will allow a sub standard performance to over rule our hearts.

Tony Mowbary will have the time he needs,we await the outcome.

Posted by YaaYaa on 11/11/2009

I think the majority of fans do support the manager, its the board that we have a problem with. BTM has to be given time but he also has to show more support to the player - constant criticism is not going to work.

As for the comment about flags at Celtic Park by An Madadh Rua above, a vistit to the ground is all that it takes to see the Saltire flying over the North Stand (but dont let that get in the way of your rant)

Posted by celtic ed on 11/11/2009

T.M.should not be the celtic manager ,when at hibs he let rangers win the spl by instructing his team to lose one nil,also when celtic are not playing well he stands on the side frowning,celtic will win nothing this year unless T M leaves celtic park,no inspiration and no direction I fear for celtic this season

Posted by scott on 11/11/2009

i'm a season ticket holder and agree with every thing in the blog but true celt 1 we are a scottish team with irish roots the reason we play in scotland and there is a saltire at paradise, you obviously dont get to alot of games mate

Posted by Veritas Vincit on 11/11/2009

An Madadh Rua, your on a wind up or a Rangers fan pal? Short history lesson needed for you me thinks.

Celtic FC is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, Brother Walfrid (an Irish Marist brother)establish the club as a means of fund raising for his charity, Walfrid's own suggestion of the name Celtic was intended to reflect the club's Irish and Scottish origins.

So what part of these facts have you difficulty understanding?

OK To clarify for An Madadh Rua and like minded people,
Scottish Club...Based in Scotland...Irish Connections...Saying anything other than the facts are misleading, divisive and insulting.

The truth will set you free.

Posted by marcus on 11/11/2009

in my opinion the problem is that the manager and the players don't show any passion @ the moment.. lukas zaluska for example.. when it was 0 - 0 in hamburg and everybody knows that you have to win to keep a small chance to progress than you need to get the ball back into the game as soon as possible. but he took so much time to "go"!! and get the ball that i was close to run on the pitch and do it myself. they don't have any selfconfidence at the moment..

Posted by Hoopsah on 11/11/2009

I was born and raised in Parkhead, which although a large Irish community is still Scottish! The Saltire flies at Celtic Park! I'm lost for your arguments against these points!!

The point I am making is that I for one am fed up with all the Irish coming over here to support a Scottish team and bringing their vitriolic bigotry with them, if you want to support a team then by all means join in, remember our heritage, sing songs that keep our history alive but do NOT forget that as a Scottish team we too have lost family, friends in the British forces - and for those to stand outside singing about Aiden McAnespie and not remember all of the other innocent deaths makes my blood run cold.

Posted by knoxy on 11/11/2009

Hoopsah- "all the Irish?" That is something i would expect from the scottish media. Catch yourself on.

Faithful through and through!

Posted by Brian on 11/11/2009

Why does everyone go on about the people who lost their lives? Those that were killed in WW1 and WW2 were indeed heroes. Helping to rid Europe of oppression but this silence was for those killed in all conflicts. What about the murder of innocents by the British army in Ireland (who will forget Bloody Sunday) and the torture and murder of innocents in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When are we going to have a remembrance day for THEM?

Posted by David on 11/11/2009

For the clowns who want to make their pathetic point that the noisy protest took place "outside the ground," unfortunatley the rest of the world could hear them quite clearly inside the ground. It was a disgraceful act which brought shame on the club and left the Celtic support with no moral high ground to stand on when it comes to whose fans are the worst. Not only that, but any hopes Celtic had of plying their trade in the EPL, with the associated riches on offer, were probably harmed beyond repair in the eyes (or ears) of any EPL chairmen who were listening. As a Scottish non-catholic who has supported my beloved Glasgow Celtic home and abroad for over thirty years, I was utterly ashamed by the actions of so-called supporters on Sunday. No doubt my opinion will be jumped upon by some of my "mass attending, republican colleagues as unimportant because of my own religious affiliation, and that quite frankly says it all...

Posted by Hoopsah on 11/12/2009

Knoxy - for goodness sake!! Ok, not "ALL" the Irish but the ones that do come over - no point in always saying a "Small Minority" lets be honest - the people who sang their songs during a minutes silence are no more than scum. If they do not want to respect our silence then at least don't disrespect it!

Posted by The word on 11/13/2009

I pray those with ears will hear, so the word will set all free. This poppy issue cuts to the heart of Celtic Fc and without due action from the board this will only raise it's ugly head next year. Are we a football club or a platform for political bigots? stop for a moment and really think about this question. I have supported Celtic for 40years and this question has never been truly answered. No football club should ever be hijacked for political ends. We have all lost loved ones in many conflicts, these conflicts may differ but the loss of loved ones are grieved equally. As a result no one group can claim there grief is greater than the next as it is felt equally. ALL POLITICAL sides in Ireland have moved forward with the British Gov, does this not tell you something.
So I say, faithful Celtic supporters, look to the future do not close your soul to our universal maker. BLESSED are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Respect the souls of all, or lose your own

Posted by blogs.soccernet.com on 03/30/2011

Greatest_fans_in_the_worldprov.. Peachy :)

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