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<\/p>\nSaturday was the shortest day of the year, but happily for us Celtic fans, the team did their level best for ninety minutes to make it drag out as long as possible.<\/p>\n
Full credit to them for making an effort.<\/p>\n
I missed the opening half an hour or so, electing instead to chat to the Celtic Trusts \u00a0Jeannette Findlay-who arrived undercover in case the Secret Police took her away to work in a Highland salt mine-and a couple of guys from the Green Brigade who were manning the food bank collection area at the back of the area where they usually watch the game.<\/p>\n
Fortunately , I didn’t miss anything worth worrying about, though the same could have been said if I’d waited until half time.<\/p>\n
At half time Celtic treated us to a dancing Santa Claus, which made the whole experience worthwhile, and it was heart warming to see that they hadn’t forgotten the ethos of the club when they advertised Ladbrokes first goalscorer odds so that anyone in the ground who was iffing and arreing about what to do with any money left over from the Christmas shopping could donate it one of the corporate sponsors.<\/p>\n
Still, it did raise a chuckle when the announcer told us that there were still tickets available for the upcoming clash betwen Glasgows two top teams -Celtic and Partick, although a cynic would point out that it was just another way of reminding us how efficient our own board are compared to the tax dodging cheats that used to play out of the south side of the city.<\/p>\n
Celtic duly scored twice in the second half, finally wearing down a Hearts side who started with five at the back and another five tucked in behind them to avoid another mauling at the hands of Scotlands champions. Kris Commons hopefully relieved the bookies of a few quid with another first \u00a0goalscorer credit, which was folllowed up by James Forrest who latched onto a seventy yard pass from Georgios Samaras before slipping past six defenders and volleying home from an impossible angle. Well, thats what I told my mate, who hadn’t travelled, when he phoned me to ask what was happening. Mind you, I also told him that the ground was not only full, but they were turning people away, and that Celtic were five up in the first half hour, playing the same sort of football as they did at Tynecastle a few weeks ago, only faster. I would love to have seen his face when he sat down and watched the recording of the game. But then I would have had to move mine out of the way when he started chucking beer cans at it.<\/p>\n
The game was terrible, but wasn’t helped by Hearts defensive tactics. Celtic did force their keeper into a number of saves, and you have to applaud the players for keeping at it until the game was won, but like most of those watching , you got the feeling that they would rather be elsewhere. Which is kind of ironic, because those who couldn’t make the game , due to christmas shopping commitments . were probably spending the afternoon wishing they were at the game.<\/p>\n
You wouldn’t have known if you’d been reading the official club website, or reading the national newspapers, but a handful of supporters who go under the name of the Green Brigade took time out to collect in food parcels for the Glasgow foodbanks before the game, and having heard so much about these renegades and how they have damaged the reputation of the club, brought Scottish football into disrepute and eaten several babies as part of a satanic ritual, i thought I’d make up my own mind.<\/p>\n
Guess what I found. No, go on, guess. Its fun.<\/p>\n
Half a dozen guys standing in freezing cold and windy weather collecting in food for those less well off than themselves. They had been there since about half past ten, some hadn’t eaten, and none of them tried to pick my pocket or make me join the provisional IRA.<\/p>\n
In fact, I met and spoke to a couple of guys who were Celtic fans, and even if you take that out of the equation, another way to put it is I met a group of young lads who were aware of what was happening in the world, and had decided to do something practical about it.<\/p>\n
And it was a great success. The Celtic support, diverse by definition, \u00a0gave whatever they could. Old men, old women, youngsters, handed over carrier bags, cash, or just odd items.<\/p>\n
No doubt there will be a report in the Celtic View about how the packages caused an obstruction, or the Record will print a photo of hundreds of plastic bags dumped in the Clyde causing fishes to die -just before Christmas as well- but thats to be expected.<\/p>\n
The Green Brigade did the club and themselves proud. Thats the club as in the one we support, not the one thats listed on the stock exchange.<\/p>\n
The supporters who dropped off \u00a0their bags of food would have brought a lump to any throat. Genuine heart warming moments as people simply gave what they could, and then offered more.<\/p>\n
Nine van loads-the last leaving the ground after one o’clock-were collected, and if that doesn’t remind you what Celtic is really all about, then you are obviously already sitting in the directors box.<\/p>\n
Perhaps in years to come , the collection will be looked back as the first blow against those in the sharp suits who currently rent out a couple of offices in the building.<\/p>\n
Something else I noticed on Saturday, or rather noticed on twitter, was this;<\/p>\n
@celtic_mad 8h<\/p>\n
Back Home In Derry by Bobby Sands being played in the Kerrydale Bar. If I join in will I be relocated?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Of course not. Stop being picky. The club is proud of its Irishness…<\/p>\n
Who’d have thought it ? The Celtic board , who gave the go ahead for the Kerrydale bar in order to milk the pre match pint pound from the support featuring \u00a0a song written by Bobby Sands, who appeared on the banner which got the Green Brigade in trouble. In a club bar. Big Ben doesn’t have as many faces as the current Celtic board.<\/p>\n
An embarrassing day all round for Baron Bankier, Lord Livingstone and Prince Peter.<\/p>\n
Still, Lawwell did comment on the Celtic Charity foundation , which raised \u00a360,000 in its christmas appeal-after first making sure the sponsors got a mention-the club website begins with;<\/p>\n
“THANKS to the generosity of so many people connected to Celtic – players, directors, staff, our supporters and corporate donors, Celtic FC Foundation is delighted to announce over \u00a360,000 has been distributed to good causes from the money raised in the Celtic Christmas Appeal 2013.<\/p>\n
Lawwell said;<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to announce this year\u2019s total raised and I would like to thank everyone who has supported the Club in this campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s Appeal is about helping local families and individuals deal with the many challenges facing them and letting people know that we are here to help at Christmas.<\/p>\n
“For 125 years we have been a major part of the local community and this year\u2019s Appeal reaches out to local people who are very deserving of our support.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Deserving of our support ”<\/p>\n
You have to love the use of the word “our ” in this context.<\/p>\n
Its a bit like when Chamberlain announced that ” we are at war \u00a0with Germany.” “We ” in the loosest possible meaning of the word. So loose, in fact , that the words “You are at war with Germany ” would have been more accurate, as he intended to stay exactly where he was and get updates by phone.<\/p>\n
Celtic Manager Neil Lennon said: \u201cIt gives me real satisfaction to be part of a Club with such a real and meaningful charitable tradition and to see the difference we can make to the lives of so many.<\/p>\n
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported this year\u2019s Christmas Appeal and for the part they have played in making a positive difference to so many local people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Except the Green Brigade, obviously, and all those people who brought in food, which showed a certain solidarity amongst the supporters.<\/p>\n
And as we know, solidarity is the one thing that those who try to divide and conquer are absolutely terrified of.<\/p>\n
Celtics next game is against St. Johnstone on Boxing Day up in Perth, and both clubs and the police have agreed that banners, flags and anything else they can think of in the meantime will not be allowed. Theres no announcement on the official site as yet, but John Paul Taylor, the supporters liason officer, \u00a0tweeted this;<\/p>\n
” Just had this confirmed St J have requested no flags or banners on Thurs, there will be a drop off\/pick up point for any ”<\/p>\n
So, he says its St. Johnstone who don’t want them.<\/p>\n
Whereas other reports say that its both clubs and the police.<\/p>\n
The battle for our club is underway. If we are to remain the club that we all support, then we are going to have to fight to keep it.<\/p>\n
I’m going to watch the game on television. Or listen to it on the radio.<\/p>\n
But hang on, thats what the establishment want us to do. After all, now that their club is gone, they would like to see the rest of us go with them.<\/p>\n
Perhaps a wee bit of pre match discussion \u00a0with St. Johnstone fans is needed here. After all, thats what is needed here. Solidarity.<\/p>\n
Finally, just who are these devilishly handsome chaps heading towards the food collection point on saturday , shortly before heading off to an audition for a stint as a boy band ? Its also worth noting that its the first time any of us had carried bags which actually contained solids, and not liquids, when going to the football.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And heres one of us when we were younger<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
( Hence why its in black and white )<\/p>\n
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