Apology due to Le Guen

If reports are to be believed, Paul Le Guen was spat at and abused by Celtic fans at Tynecastle while one fan exposed himself.

It is always worth recalling “thugs and thieves” headlines and mythical riots on planes before accepting the words of scribes as fact. However, it would be naïve and wrong to presume that Celtic fans are incapable of such despicable behaviour

We continually hear that football attracts less trouble in Scotland than it did in the eighties and before. But – maybe I’m getting old – there seems to be a constant general decline in standards of behaviour such that some people are incapable of discerning the amusing from the vile.

I don’t doubt that footballers and managers have always endured some unsavoury incidents. It is, though, as sad as it is disgusting that Celtic fans should sink to the depths reported in the newspapers.

It is clearly another outmoded concept that visitors to our country should be shown the best side of it and treated as guests. But if Celtic fans value their reputation as the best in the world, they should be prepared to be self-policing when unacceptable actions take place.

There could also be worse outcomes than an apology to Le Guen on behalf of one or more of those mouthpieces that claim to represent all Celtic fans.

I’ll be frank – what I’ve seen of Le Guen so far has made a positive impression on me. His record is solid and his demeanour modest and respectful. He is also one of that near-extinct breed of managers who demands certain standards of behaviour from his players. With more like him, we might see players becoming role models of decency and fans trying emulate them.