Keep politics - and poppies - out of football

In these times when supporters are urged to keep politics and football separate, it is unfortunate that an SPL dictat will see all players forced to wear a poppy during matches this weekend.

More disappointing is the foolish and insensitive actions of Celtic’s representatives at SPL level, apparently waving through this decision with as much resistance as is met by teenaged neds encroaching on the pitch on Champions League nights.

Predictably, and understandably, Irish supporters have expressed their concern. The Association of Irish Celtic Supporters' Clubs was quoted as saying in their statement:

“While respectful of the symbolism of the poppy in Britain and keeping in mind those Celtic players, employees and supporters who either lost their lives or those of family members and friends in war, we are disappointed at this decision (apparently taken without consultation with supporters' groups) in light of the fact that the poppy is seen as a more divisive symbol in Ireland where many Celtic supporters are based and from where many others claim their heritage.

“Many supporters in general and members of the AICSC in particular will have wholly negative views of the British army's operations in Ireland and, indeed, have also lost their lives or those of family members and friends as a result. We feel that they too should be remembered at this time and regret the potentially divisive nature of this weekend's planned initiative.”

The AICSC statement was measured and appropriate, not least in recognising that players and fans fought in those wars, a practice that was supported by no less than Willie Maley.

However, with respect to the club’s thousands of Irish supporters, Peter Lawwell and John Reid might have focussed on other interests of even more direct relevance to their responsibilities. That is to Celtic players themselves.

It is quite conceivable that Celtic could have four Irish nationals, a German, an Italian and a Japanese player featuring in this weekend’s match against Motherwell.

Even given the disdain with which the sensitivities of the Irish are routinely dismissed in Scotland, did Celtic officials consider the dilemmas posed to players like Massimo Donati, Andreas Hinkel or Shunsuke Nakamura to be forced to wear a symbol in remembrance only of those who were engaged in war against their ancestors and countrymen?

How, one wonders, would it be received if Nakamura was to instead prefer to wear a chrysanthemum or any player wear a white poppy as a symbol of peace?

It is every nation’s right to remember those who died in its armed forces, whether in defence of the nation or in blindly pursuing the political aims of its government. For that reason, audible or visual protests are not appropriate on these occasions.

However, questions must be asked of the Celtic hierarchy – not to mention those of other clubs. Did anyone ask Andrius Velicka or any of the other Lithuanian players in Scotland how they feel about the poppy, given that their country fought against the Russians during WWI?

What about Andis Shala, a Kosovar German playing for Dundee Utd?

Does anyone care about the feelings of the many Irish internationals at Dundee Utd and elsewhere, instructed to honour men who became Black & Tans or who were serving when Lloyd George threatened “an immediate and terrible war” in 1921, not to mention those who took part in the summary executions of the 1916 rebels?

Only those with Britain’s famed insularity could fail to recognise that wearing a poppy – while quite acceptable for those who choose to do so – has oppressive political connotations for those whose national loyalties and familial interest in the wars lie elsewhere.

That Celtic – and every other club – should fail to defend the interests of their own employees in such a matter is a disgrace.

The Scottish Poppy Appeal does a great deal of fine work for men and women who are deserving of the support of their nation.

That does not mean that anyone should be required to wear a symbol that, above all, celebrates victory in this the most obsessed of nations with its wartime past “glories”.

One need only witness the abuse directed at those who choose not to wear a poppy – or to wear a white poppy symbolising a commitment to peace – to understand that this is an intrinsically political statement

Is it really so much worse to sing The Boys of the Old Brigade (a song your writer would deprecate in any Celtic context)?

Given that our chairman, according to George Galloway, was once known to make it his business to educate new old Labour recruits in the Irish Republican songbook before going on to be an enthusiastic protagonist in Britain’s illegal wars, it is perhaps unsurprising that Celtic officials display a split personality disorder on this issue – even to the extent of neglecting the interests of their own employees.

The Celtic supporters, who better understand the identity of the club are likely to be less negligent, even if this is one occasion for silent dissent.





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Change of soap for Great Unwashed

Get out your cardiac custard pumps. Make ready the plectrum of your heart-strings.

The Joyless Rangers have been offended – and by Coronation Street. No, really!

Just when you were no doubt convinced by the comedians on Scotland’s Shame favourite website – you know it: the one that has Unionist politicians, Sasha from the Orange Order, Volunteers in the forces and Combatants with a thing for 18 – that the racist song demanding repatriation of the Irish community was a bit of humorous banter, a position supported by Martin Bain and Darryl Broadfoot, suddenly it got serious.

Britain’s favourite Mancunian soap got into bubble with the supporters of the quintessentially British club by showing outrageous bias. As that notorious bigot Tony O’Brien said: "I could no more be interested in Rosie Webster than I could support Glasgow Rangers."

What a horror for fans of the club that doesn’t care that “no-one likes us”.

Before you knew it, there was a change of script because, after all, what could Mancunians have against Rangers?

Fortunately, Lancastrians can expect better and more respectful behaviour from Celtic fans and be thankful that their prayers have been answered regarding Rangers: “Why don’t they stay home?”






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Villareal 1- 0 Celtic: Such great improvement – so far to go

Well, here we go again – Celtic go away from home in the Champions League and agai….

Let’s stop there.

We really don’t need a constant update on our incredible lack of success in Europe’s top tournament away from home any more than we require a forensic analysis of why only great Spanish teams beat us at home.

As far as the home record is concerned, give the press their moment – it’s all about the “atmosphere”. Jungle veterans might question whether or not the intimidation factor of high stands of seated fans is a more frightening prospect than the swarming, roaring terracing that faced innumerable sides but Gordon Strachan might shed light on the issue from his time as a Don.

But what happens away? It’s a mystery… No, that’s bovine excrement.

The explanation for Celtic’s contrasting home and away records is simple to the mind of this humble blogger. European football is, in many ways, profoundly conventional. It follows orders, natural or otherwise.

When teams come to Celtic Park, (with the exception of the very best) they tend to play like away sides are supposed to in European competition – they allow the home team space and time on the ball in supposedly non-crucial areas, hoping to smother attacks and construct carefully considered counters.

Result? The skill and relentless forward pressure as demanded by 60,000 fans has repeatedly seen Celtic secure great results.

Away from home it is different. No decent team cedes the initiative on its own patch and the result is matches of radically different character. Playing any half-decent side, Celtic players find themselves with far less time to control the ball and make a pass and far less options as outlets – i.e. team-mates who are in space and not under pressure.

The outcome tends to be panic and loose balls or rushed passes played too hard to the feet of closely-marked players. This was the story on Tuesday night at El Madrigal – but there were signs of hope.

When Gordon Strachan mentioned the positives in Celtic’s display most paid pundits gave him short shrift. The reality is, however, that this was one of Celtic’s best away performances for years – against an exceptionally gifted team – but one that merely emphasised the historic gulf between the finest team in the Scottish league and a noble club battling for recognition in Spain.

Celtic showed that we have an attacking forward unit that is edging closer to the standard required. Georgios Samaras did everything but score the goal –evidence that a gifted player with too low a pulse rate can fluff chances as crudely as a panicking adrenaline junky.

Pundits differ as to the performances of the midfield but, to this observer, Scott Brown was Celtic’s best player on the night and one of the very best on show. Close behind him was Shunsuke Nakamura, popularly maligned in the press, giving evidence that even good Celtic footballers such as Craig Burley can lose all appreciation of the game when watching from the stands.

It is now the received wisdom that Nakmura was “ineffectual” and in all humility, I am prepared to accept that I know less about the game than the legends of the Scottish football press. However, I saw a player being asked to perform in a different, less headline-grabbing role; who would be the link man for every panicked release or pass of uncertain ideas, in doing so compensating for the lack of a second striker.

Those who criticised Nakamura can hardly have noted the number of times too-hard passes were played directly at his feet, only for him to control the ball and re-emphasise play in another area within a second.

This was one of the few occasions when Celtic have tried to play the fast passing game that comes so naturally to teams from the better leagues. For a short period, the players managed it but the weaker links remain – some in unexpected areas.

First, to the full-backs. Lee Naylor has endured much criticism and that need not be expanded upon here. However, defensive deficiencies are enough to contend with: recklessly swung “crosses” under no opposition pressure are an uncalled-for extravagance.

On the right, Mark Wilson had another night to forget – make that a night to file under “Ipcress File” and hope never to recognise mention of it again. There is an unwelcome sense around Wilson that he will be perennially injured and never fulfil his potential. Certainly, he can play but last night’s performance is perhaps best put down to fitness issues keeping him off the pace throughout the match and making him look utterly out of place in the “zonal marking” defence.

Wilson is a good right-back and a very unlucky one. How long can he exclude a German international and a surging young talent such as Paul Caddis?

Artur Boruc, Stephen McManus and especially Gary Caldwell (who we should not praise in case he loses it again) were all on top form and the midfield unit, with Paul Hartley as its safety valve, worked quite well.

However, this was a night for mixing it with the big boys and that was where Celtic’s precocious talents were found wanting. In the first half, Aiden McGeady was his frustrating worst – never knowing when to take his man on or turn and pass; almost invariably getting it wrong. At the same time, Shaun Maloney was energetic and well-positioned but seemed incapable of playing the ball in front of Nakamura, actually advancing the ball, instead blasting it at his team-mates’ feet.

After the interval, the roles were reversed. McGeady was the boy most likely to succeed while Maloney was rarely noticed.

Unfortunately, these deficiencies were demonstrated at the ground of a first-class football team and one with which Celtic should be proud to be associated. Villareal had only good and very good players on show. If Marcos Senna was the best player on the field, however relentlessly harried by Scott Brown, Santi Cazorla will have equally whetted the appetites of scouts or even those nostalgically checking in on Robert Pires.

Celtic were second-best, alright – but maybe to the best team in the group.





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