A time for hope and a time to keep faith

To everything there is a season…
a time to keep silent and a time to speak
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Why don’t we make a pact?

It is simply this – leave the grumps and groans and expressions of “frustration” until Monday, 19 May 2008.

It’s a simple principle familiar to anyone with a job in hand – fight, argue, console, criticise, berate, barrack or blame; but at the appropriate time.

Anyone who was at Celtic Park on Saturday to support the team against Aberdeen will have noted the fact that the “12th man” seemed to be struggling with injury.

Shouts of tension, anxiety, frustration are all part of the milieu that is familiar to Celtic supporters these days. But there is a very simple proposition before Celtic fans – why not set aside all doubts for just one month and commit ourselves to deafening, unequivocal support for all things Celtic – players, manager, coaches, and even the suits?

What is to be lost by holding in the gasps of irritation; the criticism of certain players, the expressions of distrust against key personnel?

Once upon a time, there was a simple sentiment amongst Celtic supporters – absolute solidarity with the players and manager. It was a powerful heartfelt reaction of people who knew that there were more of “them” than there were of “us”; to feel that, in some sense or other; we were a minority facing hostility from the outside world.

You need only waste a few pennies on certain newspapers to realise that the supposedly newly enlightened Scottish society is as hostile to everything that Celtic stands for as it was in the days of Willie Maley, Jock Stein or Billy McNeill. It would be a sad day indeed if what had really changed proved to be the faith, passion and unity of what we once proudly called “the Celtic family”.

There are just a few weeks and a few matches remaining in the season. Do we want to barrack the team in the hope of fulfilling predictions of their downfall or sing encouragement, driving the players on to historic achievements?

Are we customers or fans?

Do we still have faith in the cause?

If you know the history...