In retrospect, and in a quiet moment today, Gordon Strachan will probably be wishing that he had gone with the fringe players in last nights friendly against England at Celtic Park.
The English ran out comfortable winners, with Wayne Rooney grabbing a couple of chances which had the Scots not been tired probably wouldn’t have been handed to him.
More worryingly for Scotland was the amount of respect paid to the visitors, when a good old fashioned “get intae them ” would have done the job. A nervous England grew into the game when they realised that Scotland were a little in awe of them, and when the opening goal came, from an Oxley Chamberlain header, it was all very simple, and that encouraged the English to think that their neighbours were there for the taking.
However, it doesn’t matter. It was only a kickabout, and if there are any positives to take from the game, its in the shape of Craig Gordon, who made his comeback, and Stevie ay and Johnny Russell, who looked like they didn’t give a stuff who they were up against.
The English first division players were the biggest let down, oh alright, the two centre halves, who played as though they had just met, and we all know they are capable of much better.
Ikeche Anya and Andrew Robertson did well, Charlie Mulgrew showed some spirit and Scott Brown was, well, Scott Brown, but that was about it.
The match was billed along the lines of there being no friendlies between these two, but by and large, thats how the Scots treated it.
Something did catch my eye, though, or my ear, if you wish to be pernickity;
The travelling support chanted about the IRA for long periods of the first half to a beat kept by the England band, who have what the FA describes as a “semi-official” relationship with the governing body. Members of the band were contacted during the game by FA officials and asked not to play the tune in question to discourage the chant during the second half.
Er, hang on. Isn’t that against the law ?
Offensive behaviour at regulated football matches
(1)A person commits an offence if, in relation to a regulated football match—
(a)the person engages in behaviour of a kind described in subsection (2), and
(b)the behaviour—
(i)is likely to incite public disorder, or
(ii)would be likely to incite public disorder.
The behaviour is—
(a)expressing hatred of, or stirring up hatred against, a group of persons based on their membership (or presumed membership) of—
(i)a religious group,
(ii)a social or cultural group with a perceived religious affiliation,
(iii)a group defined by reference to a thing mentioned in subsection (4),
(b)expressing hatred of, or stirring up hatred against, an individual based on the individual’s membership (or presumed membership) of a group mentioned in any of sub-paragraphs (i) to (iii) of paragraph (a),
(c)behaviour that is motivated (wholly or partly) by hatred of a group mentioned in any of those sub-paragraphs,
(d)behaviour that is threatening, or
(e)other behaviour that a reasonable person would be likely to consider offensive.
(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)(a) and (b), it is irrelevant whether the hatred is also based (to any extent) on any other factor.
(4)The things referred to in subsection (2)(a)(iii) are—
(a)colour,
(b)race,
(c)nationality (including citizenship),
(d)ethnic or national origins,
(e)sexual orientation,
(f)transgender identity,
(g)disability.
(5)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(ii), behaviour would be likely to incite public disorder if public disorder would be likely to occur but for the fact that—
(a)measures are in place to prevent public disorder, or
(b)persons likely to be incited to public disorder are not present or are not present in sufficient numbers.
(6)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to a fine, or to both, or
(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both.
Well, no, it seems.
The law, which is apparently there to stop sectarian chants, doesn’t actually appear to cover paramilitary references. The reason no arrests were made is that Fuck the IRA, and No Surrender are not covered by the above paragraphs. Unless you term the IRA as a social or cultural group. Which might be difficult for the prosecutor to prove.
Had they sung the famine song, that would have been different.
But haud on, England weren’t playing Ireland, in fact, the Irish had left several days previously, so quite why they chose those chants is a little unusual, to say the least.
Maybe there were some among their number who had been to Celtic Park before, and helped those on their first visit to choose the tunes.
Jason Burt in the Telegraph summed up the bemusement down south;
England supporters let themselves down
An incessant chant of “f— the IRA” rang around Celtic Park for a few minutes in the first half from the England fans. It was not coming from just a handful of them. It was even accompanied by the England band – and with a drum beating along to the unsavoury chanting – and is surely a matter for the Football Association to address. Presumably the supporters were directing their chant at Celtic and not Scotland fans. It was all distasteful and unnecessary. What were they thinking? It temporarily soured a superb atmosphere and was completely uncalled for.
The Tartan Army predictably booed the English anthem, despite a number of them voting to keep their masters in place-you’re right, i still can’t get over it- and as a result received this damning indictment from Joe McHugh, on Videocelts;
Tartan Army shame Scotland by booing anthem
The Tartan Army brought shame on Scotland by booing throughout the English anthem before tonight’s international at Celtic Park.
Football’s governing bodies take a dim view of such actions with the SFA heavily involved in various anti-racism campaigns aimed at educating supporters in tolerance.
That was marked absent when Wayne Rooney led his team-mates out for the match with the anthem barely audible as the vast majority of the home fans booed and jeered the playing of God Save The Queen which ironically is the British national anthem that Scots such as Chris Hoy and Andy Murray have stood to attention for at Olympic Games.
Er, so what ? Should the fans have stood to attention and saluted ? Doff the cap to the Imperial masters ?
Maybe Flower of Scotland, insipid as it is, should also have been dropped, and a few verses of Maries Wedding sung instead , so as not to upset them ?
It remains to be seen if the SFA condemn the fans that booed and jeered through the anthem. Tonight’s match is the biggest money spinner that the SFA have known in years with the majority of tickets costing £50 plus.
Oh, seriously, who gives a toss ? If you can’t abuse the other teams fans at a game, especially a Scotland -England game, then whats the point ?
Or maybe the fifty notes plus price tag was designed to keep the riff raff away…..
Next time, we hear the SFA have arranged for these three to perform “We Hate Jimmy Hill, He’s a Poof “
and they have already ordered their costumes;
![B2wVJNIIEAEqtro Some Scotland fans trolled England by turning up to Celtic Park as Diego Maradona [Pictures]](http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2wVJNIIEAEqtro.jpg)
Incidentally, Alex Salmond was at the game last night, and he seemed fairly chilled;
Thats the international football done with. Thankfully. At least until March.
The papers didn’t wait too long to get back on message.
The Record, for instance;
French eye John Guidetti.
Well, they could hardly not “eye ” him. France played Sweden last night. He appeared as a 67th minute substitute in the game, which was played in…Marseille.
They’re sharp, these reporters.
French giants Marseille have joined the chase for Celtic loan star John Guidetti.
Well, they could hardly not “eye ” him. France played Sweden last night. He appeared as a 67th minute substitute in the game, which was played in…Marseille.
They’re sharp, these reporters.
The 22-year-old Swede’s sensational scoring run for the Hoops has alerted scouts from all over the continent ahead of the January transfer window.
The Manchester City ace, who has hit nine goals in 10 games since arriving at Celtic in August on a one-year loan, is out of contract at the end of the season and is in line for a Sweden call-up for the forthcoming match against France.
Guidetti had a £25million buy-out clause in his deal at City in 2012 but may be available for £5m in January.
How many times ?
No he will not be.
He will be at Celtic Park until the summer at least.
Over on the other side of town, there was a welcome break for Ally Mccoist, manager of the stricken club which emerged a couple of years ago from the ashes of Rangers, who were put into liquidation when they ran out of other peoples money.
McCoist was on the ITV panel to offer his opinions on the Scotland England game-told you the level of expert was even lower than Sky, and when you add Adrian Chiles and doo lally former England boss Glenn Hoddle to the mix, you can guarantee thoguht provoking and revealing insight.
If you talk to the cat instead.
My wife doesn’t follow the football, but she was surprised to learn that the chunky chap on the telly was , in fact, Mccoist, and asked me if he had something wrong with him. Before I embarked on a long list, she pointed out that she meant medically, as he looks a little bloated and grey, which she-not me-reckons is heart attack territory.
I mention McCoist because the powers that be have been arguing with the powers that want to be at Ibrox again, with Dave King, the convicted fraudster telling fans not to give the current lot any money, presumably because he wants it when he sets up Third Rangers next year.
Ally, of course is right behind him.
In fact, as we know, Ally is right behind everyone,
That was Celtic Park, during the rebuilding of the main stand, and it was last stand of the Lions, against Clyde.
Whats unusual about this programme ?
Unfortunately England did to Scotland what Scotland did to Ireland on Friday night. They controlled the game.
What is unusual about the programme is that another teams programme actually welcomes a Celtic player and acknowledges his quality. Must be a first!
Did anyone else notice commentator Andy Townsend is developing a Scottish accent? A “wee” bit of this and try a “wee” bit harder. Not sure if it sounded patronising or just plain stupid.
Andy Townsend is a 24 carat gold twat. The man who has won nothing and is an expert on everything. If you read Tony Cascarino’s book – Townsend ran the Chelsea dressing room when he arrived there. So you understand now why Chelsea were so successful during that period. I can’t stand listening to his inane rubbish. I wish he’d never wore an Irish shirt. Dick!
Partly true Bren but there was a far greater difference in class and quality last night than there was on Friday.
England were miles ahead in every aspect of the game.
Would it be the first programme bought after decimilisation hence the 5p cost?
Apart from the home team paying homage to Jinky ? Decimalisation came in in February that year so it can’t be that!
Jinky wasn’t there. He didn’t play that night.
Jinky didn’t play.
Sorry Scotland but for me the booing of another country’s national anthem is the lowest form of showing your national pride…even if it is England.
No question both Scotland and Ireland share a common dislike for them but thir anthem is in bad taste. Give it the respect you’d like for your own….
Fair point that……..Never happen though, too many Scots have a hatred of everything English in their DNA….Many of whom probably don’t know any English folk.
Ralph man, let it go 🙂
“The Tartan Army predictably booed the English anthem, despite a number of them voting to keep their masters in place-you’re right, i still can’t get over it”
Scotland were overawed, they reverted to hoofball and Hollywood passing, what was Broonie on wi the stupid flicks etc?
See the Scots who booed the Irish National Anthem, are they the same who booed the English or are all Scots fans filled with different types of hatred
Hatred?…What a lot of shyte. Theres some amount of earnest Celtic fans out there it seems.
People boo anthems like booing baddies at the Pantomine.
Oh no they don’t…oh yes they do!!
Shouldn’t boo anthems, even though you don’t like them.
I’m still amazed by these commentators who have to have their wee dig about England being a Premier league side playing a Championship side.
We know it was we didn’t need telling by some superior pidgeon.
Why can’t we have neutral commentators like neutral referees.
Because like ITV the English Control the lot.
Watch the game on a Japanese Live Stream far more entertaining.
Fruckin Plicks.
The good point for having these 2 games at Paradise is the revenue earned.20% from both gates plus catering.£1.2M approx.Now why doesn’t Lawwell put this finance,to good use,
by offering Super Guidetti £1M of it,as a signing-on fee?
As for the Engurlund scum fans and their thick chant,too many
seem to have been in the loyalist boozers at bridgeton !
Yvette Fielding and Derek Acorah poppedin before hand to suss the Louden out but alas no a Spirits were to be found in the entire Establishment.
Remember a lot of fans of the dead team support england and no doubt were chanting with great vigour last night.
Listening to Fat Sally give out his tuppenies worth of so called Football knowledge lmao 🙂 What a #1 dooshbag !!Was he on to wind us Celts up The Frigging A-hole his penalty remark about how the game on Friday at PARKHEAD to him he said was like an Old Fashioned British Football Tie ‘GGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR’I boked there and then almost tried to pull him through my TV it would have worked if only the Wee FAT BASTARD had some hair to grab onto Drat. As for the game Scotland made them look good
Best part of the game for me was when Scott Brown took Shreck out
GET INTO THEM WAS THE CRY. lmao
We’ll get them next time
about 1/3 of the way through Ralph’s article (IRA flavoured chanting) I had an uneasy feeling about the bottom end of this fine site.
I was almost expecting the hysterical hyper sensitive Celtic fan, that does visit these parts too often for my likening, to fire up his old “moral outrage” steam engine typing contraption.
However despite England fans singing tongue in cheek odes about the indyref and the IRA added with the print media’s best efforts to stoke up controversy, we seem to have taken a mature “so what?” approach.
Kudos Celtic. we finally might be growing up, and stopped the mock outrage and behaving like cartoon wealthy fainting dowagers every time someone swears in the away end at CP
Sounds like we got the best deal last evening up here on STV – no Chiles and definitely no McCoist!!
Still it was pretty painful viewing whatever station we were watching – although Peter Lawell could do worse in the future than trying to tempt ‘celtic-mad’ Rooney and/or Russell to Glasgow (or even Robertson) the best 3 players on the pitch?
Sick and tired of certain papers constantly writing about celtic players linked to every club they can dream up. It’s madness. Why doesn’t celtic tell them to stop. What a player robertson looks to be developing into. Ronny make an offer, bring him home. 🙂
Or did they boo GSTQ as it is not England’s song to use as their anthem but Britain’s! Jerusalem should have been used for them but maybe GSTQ was chosen because it says they should crush rebellious Scots.
Scotland fans must be the most confused, embarrassing supporters on the planet. I actually cringe and go red when I hear that Flower of Scotland sang with such passion when the world knows majority of the same group didn’t have what it takes to vote for independence. The biggest shock I got was when Scotland fans didn’t join in with England and the anti- ira chants – they must have thought the english were stealing their thunder. And all those Celtic/Scotland fans who booed the huddle will be cheering the huddle on Saturday. And please, Irish people don’t hate England or English people. We generally hate tyranny and intolerance and I can assure you, after last Friday night, we know full well that those two commodities are widely available in Bonnie Scotland. And pretty please, with sugar on top, stop being so silly, learn to cheer rather than boo absolutely everything. What happened to Doh a Deer, that’s a nice wee song.