Glasgow Celtic Supporters Thread

[noelyf]

You’ll know that Celtic Football Club is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

And to mark the occasion, Celtic and Nike are releasing a very special commemorative kit on the 02/10/2012.

Celtic Football Club

 

[noelyf]

Double injury boost for Bhoys ahead of Champions League opener


Tuesday, 18 Sep 2012

Charlie Mulgrew celebrates after scoring the winner against HJK Helsinki during the third-round qualifier

Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew are both fit for tomorrow night's Champions League Group G opener against Benfica at Parkhead.


Brown is nursing an ongoing hip problem but declared himself okay after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League while defender Mulgrew has shrugged off an Achilles injury.


New signings Lassad Nouioui, Miku and Efe Ambrose are included in the squad, while Georgios Samaras (elbow) Paddy McCourt (knock) and Filip Twardzik (groin) are out.

Provisional squad: Forster, Matthews, Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Rogne, Forrest, Commons, Brown, Ambrose, Wanyama, Hooper, Keatings, Lassad, Miku, Zaluska, Chalmers, Watt, George.


Meanwhile, Celtic have been backed to respond from their weekend loss at St Johnstone and make a strong start to their Champions League campaign.


Former Celtic midfielder and Alloa Athletic manager Paul Hartley said: "Celtic are coming off the back of a bad result against St Johnstone. They will forget about that and make sure they're ready for Wednesday night.


"It will be an important game for Celtic. If you can have a strong home performance then hopefully it will stand you in good stead.


"It's a difficult group. There are quality teams there, but Celtic are in there on merit. They've shown they can go away from home now and win in Europe.

"It will be a great atmosphere. Champions League nights are always special and I'm sure Neil will have his team ready."


"Hopefully they can get a good result on Wednesday, get on the board with a good three points and take it from there," added Hartley.


Celtic return to the Champions League this week as Sevco take on Queen of the South in the Ramsdens Cup tomorrow night <<<< roflmao


Sevco are still to win away from home in the Irn-Bru Third Division and drew 0-0 at Annan on Saturday.

 

[noelyf]

[h=1]

Anthem that unites Celtic and Liverpool
[/h]

By: Newsroom Staff on 19 Sep, 2012

AHEAD of tonight´s UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Benfica, Celtic Park will reverberate to the sound of the famous song, You´ll Never Walk Alone.

It´s an anthem that is shared between Celtic and Liverpool fans, and tonight, the Hoops support will sing You´ll Never Walk Alone in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster on April 15, 1989.

The Celtic Family have long supported the campaign for ´Justice for the 96´, and our thoughts and prayers remain, as always, with the families of those 96 supporters who went to a football match and never came home.

 

[noelyf]

[h=1]

Celtic launch 125th anniversary kit[/h]

By: Newsroom Staff on 21 Sep, 2012 16:00

ON Sunday, November 6, 1887 eight men gathered in the meeting hall of St Mary’s Church in the East End of Glasgow, and Celtic Football Club was born.

Now, 125 years later, Celtic, Nike and Tennent’s Lager celebrate this landmark anniversary with a special commemorative kit to be launched on October 2, 2012.

Replicating the uniform worn by Celtic in their very first match against Rangers on May 28, 1888, the 125th anniversary kit features a white shirt with a black collar, backed with green, black shorts and green and black hooped socks.

The very first Celtic cross club crest has been redesigned for the 21st Century but maintains the unbreakable bond with the club’s origins and Irish heritage.

While this concept pays tribute to the club’s formation in the late 19th century, Nike has combined Celtic’s traditions carefully with modern technology, to deliver a sophisticated and high-quality kit for players and supporters.

The lightweight Dri-fit fabrics used throughout are cutting edge in terms of technology, wicking sweat away from the body and keeping the athlete dry and comfortable. The cut of the shirt and shorts reflects the physique and technical demands of the modern day footballer, and the seamless construction ensures lasting comfort throughout the full 90 minutes and beyond.

Both Nike and Tennent’s Lager have applied their logos in a manner that is fitting to the shirt and shorts to emphasise the classic nature of the design and highlight the Irish cross crest.

As reigning SPL Champions and back in the UEFA Champions League where they belong, Celtic are looking to add new chapters to their illustrious history with the 125th anniversary kit a fitting tribute to a long and rich heritage.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell commented: "Once again we are delighted with the fantastic design which our kit supplier Nike has developed. To mark this season, it is important that we honour and celebrate our famous heritage and we are pleased that this new kit honours our 125 years of magnificent, illustrious history so well.

“We have enjoyed a very strong partnership with Nike, such a successful global sports brand. This has been a hugely beneficial relationship for the club and our supporters and it is one which we hope will continue for some time.

"We are very grateful again to our sponsor Tennent´s for the way in which they have recognised the Club´s 125th Anniversary season.

“We have enjoyed a very positive and fruitful relationship with Tennent’s during our very successful partnership and they are one of the finest brands with which we have had the privilege to work.

“We thanks Tennent´s sincerely for their support and we look forward to continuing this great relationship."

Gareth Hosford, Nike UK & Ireland General Manager Football, said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate such a key and major anniversary in partnership with Celtic Football Club. The bespoke kit is a fitting tribute to this milestone with the design and inspiration all taken from the club’s inception.

“Celtic is looking to add new chapters to their illustrious history and the 125th anniversary kit is a lasting tribute to a long and rich tradition.”

Paul Condron, Marketing Director at Tennent Caledonian Breweries, said: “We are delighted to play a continuing part in this 125th anniversary year for the club.

“As a supporter of Scottish football for almost 40 years we have a real understanding of what this anniversary means to the club and their fans throughout the world.

“As we discussed the anniversary kit with Celtic and Nike, we identified a way to incorporate our branding in a way that perfectly fits the design of what will become a truly classic Celtic shirt.”

 

[noelyf]

Neil Lennon signing session at Dublin store this Friday



By: Newsroom Staff on 26 Sep, 2012

NEIL Lennon will be at the Celtic Store in Dublin this Friday, September 28 to sign copies of the book, Neil Lennon: A Champion’s Story, which tells the story of the title-winning 2011/12 season.

The Celtic boss will be at the store in the Jervis Centre, Dublin, between 5pm – 6pm, signing copies of the book bought instore on the day.

Neil Lennon: A Champion’s Story, written by Mark Henderson, was published by the club and is available from all official Celtic retail stores.

The event in the Dublin store this Friday, September 28 is a ticketed event.

Tickets are free and can be collected from the store, at a time to be specified, admitting one per person.

Details on when the tickets will be available and on how to gain entry to the event will follow.

 

[noelyf]

Lenny just can`t get enough of Dublin


Friday September 28 2012


Neil Lennon is fast becoming an adopted Dub!



Hot on the heels of his visit to Croke Park for Donegal's All-Ireland triumph over Mayo, the Celtic boss is back in town today making an appearance on the Late Late Show after meeting fans at the Celtic Store in the Jervis Shopping Centre.



Lennon said: "I used to watch it as a kid when Gay Byrne presented it back in the 1970s and 80s.



"I'm going over to do a signing session at the Celtic store and also take in The Late Late Show on RTE, to talk about the club's strong Irish connections."

The Late Late Show is on RTE1 tonight at 9:30 pm.

 

[noelyf]

Extended opening hours for new kit launch


CELTIC´S stunning new 125th anniversary kit is out this Tuesday, October 2 and it´s sure to be a big hit with supporters.

Replicating the uniform worn by Celtic in their very first match against Rangers on May 28, 1888, the 125th anniversary kit features a white shirt with a black collar, backed with green, black shorts and green and black hooped socks.

The very first Celtic cross club crest has been redesigned for the 21st Century but maintains the unbreakable bond with the club’s origins and Irish heritage.

Both Nike and Tennent’s Lager have applied their logos in a manner that is fitting to the shirt and shorts to emphasise the classic nature of the design and highlight the Irish cross crest.

The official Celtic retail stores will have extended opening hours so you don´t miss out on the chance of getting the new 125th anniversary kit.

SUPERSTORE
Tuesday 2nd October: 7.30am – 8.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October; 8.00am – 7.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm

ARGYLE STREET
Tuesday 2nd October: 7.30am – 8.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 7.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 8.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm

SAUCHIEHALL STREET
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am – 7.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 7.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 10.00am – 6.00pm

EAST KILBRIDE
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am -6.30pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am -6.30pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 8.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 10.00am – 5.00pm

GLASGOW AIRPORT
Monday 1st October: 4.00am – 8.00pm
Tuesday 2nd October: 4.00am – 8.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 4.00am – 8.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 4.00am – 8.00pm
Friday 5th October: 4.00am – 8.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 4.00am – 8.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 4.00am – 8.00pm

COATBRIDGE
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am – 7.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9. 00am – 7.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 10.00am – 6.00pm

CLYDEBANK
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am – 6.30pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 6.30pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 7.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 10.00am – 6.00pm

STIRLING
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 8.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 11.00am – 5.00pm

GREENOCK
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am -6.30pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 11.00am – 5.00pm

INVERNESS
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am – 7.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 7.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 11.00am – 5.00pm

BELFAST
Tuesday 2nd October: 8.00am – 7.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 8.00am – 7.00pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 8.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 1.00pm – 6.00pm

DUBLIN
Tuesday 2nd October: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Wednesday 3rd October: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Thursday 4th October: 9.00am – 9.00pm
Friday 5th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 6th October: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 7th October: 11.00am –6.00pm


celticfc.net

 

[noelyf]

Matthews and Forrest also sign new deals



By: Joe Sullivan on 05 Oct, 2012 16:45



HOT on the heels of Charlie Mulgrew signing a new contract extension with the club today, there is even more great news for Celtic fans as both Adam Matthews and James Forrest have also penned new deals.

Welsh defender, Matthews will now be a Celt until May 2016 and Forrest put his name to a contract that keeps him in Paradise until December 2016.

The capture of signing all three young players for at least the next four years is a mark of the serious intent of Celtic to maintain the challenge on both the domestic and European fronts.

Exclusive interviews with Matthews and Forrest can be seen on Celtic TV Freeview tonight.

Keep your eyes peeled on Celtic TV Freeview by clicking HERE

celticfc.net

 

[noelyf]

Manager: I'm so proud of my team




By: Laura Brannan in Barcelona on 23 Oct, 2012 22:54


NEIL Lennon was just thirty seconds away from his finest result as Celtic manager. Football, however, can sometimes be cruel, and an injury-time goal from Jordi Alba was enough to give Barcelona a 2-1 victory in the Nou Camp.

It was a heartbreaking blow for the Celtic side, who had performed magnificently throughout the night against the best club side in the world, and would have thoroughly merited a point from the UEFA Champions League clash.

Speaking after the game, the Hoops boss was understandably disappointed at the result, but very proud of his team.

“This is the best team in the world so to come here and play like that – it doesn’t surprise me about these players,” said Neil Lennon. “Everyone had written us off but I know the quality and the character of the team.

“While I’m bitterly disappointed for the players, I’m also immensely proud of them. They were brave, they stuck to what we asked them to do.

“They didn’t lose their composure – we knew we’d be under pressure and we knew we’d give the ball away at certain times but we told them to accept that and they did. We conceded ground when we had to, but we defended brilliantly and at times on the counter-attack, we looked dangerous.

“I thought we were compact. We defended very well when we had to. Losing Georgios was a blow at the time because he was causing Barcelona some problems.

“We had a chance from a header second-half, but you know when you come here there’s going to be a concerted amount of pressure but we just needed to see it out, and there was a bit of luck with their second goal.”

Celtic took an 18th minute lead when Georgios Samaras headed a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick goalwards, and it took a deflection off Javier Mascherano and into the net.

Barca pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and that arrived just before half-time through Andres Iniesta.

“Only Barcelona could score a goal of the quality of the first one – the intricate passing and the pace of the play,” the Celtic boss said.

In the second-half, Fraser Forster produced a string of outstanding saves before the injury-time heartache, and the manager praised the efforts of his team.

“Fraser’s top-class and I think he’ll go really far in the game,” he said. “I said to him he might have to be big for us tonight and more or less in every away game since he’s come in the door he’s been fantastic.

“But as a group, the 14 of them – I can’t speak highly enough of them. We were tiring towards the end. It is physically and mentally demanding, but I thought we’d done enough to see the game out.”

 

[eileen]

great game last night, had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, shame about that 4 min extra time, well done the bhoys, they did us proud, hail hail

 

[pokeraldo7]

where did the 4 mins come from
same old same old
hh

 

[Tubes]

Gutted for Lenny & the bhoys :(

Losing big Sammy was a blow. Very proud of the team and management though.

Cant wait for the 7th of November at Parkhead . COYBIG :celtic flag:

 

[jigger121]

Never been prouder to be a Celtic fan after last nights performance, maybe I will in 2 weeks ;) Bring on the Barca!

 

[noelyf]

Paddy Power refund to heart-broken Celtic backers


A KICK IN THE BARC’ – Neil Lennon had to endure an agonising defeat in the Camp Nou



To summarise many a tweet from last night: ‘You’d rather go to the Camp Nou and be hockeyed 6-0 than lose that way.’
Despite travelling to Catalonia with a chance of winning rated somewhere between ‘slim’ and ‘the amount of work Michael Barrymore has had since 2001′, Celtic performed admirably against the best team in the world and a share of the spoils would not have been considered overly fortunate.
With about 30 seconds to go until the final whistle, Jordi Alba poked the ball past Fraser Forster to deny Celtic reward for one of their great European displays. In fairness to Neil Lennon, there was no excessive watch-tapping, moaning about the referee or poking Barca staff in the eye. The Celtic boss took the heart-breaking defeat as well as could be expected.
Immediately Paddy Power punters on social media were asking about the possibility of a refund. For the faithful backers of the Bhoys all over world, it was a painful way to lose and true to our mantra of ‘We Hear You‘, we’re delighted to oblige.
Since Celtic weren’t the victims of terrible refereeing or a visually impaired linesman, it’s not quite the same as one of our famous Justice Refunds, but it feels like the right thing to do, so Paddy was happy to consent to the refund.
As a result, we’re refunding certain losing pre-match bets on Celtic as a Free Bet to be used on any football match in the coming days. We’re refunding singles as Free Bets on:

• Bets on Celtic to win
• Bets on the match to be a draw
• Bets on Celtic (Draw No Bet)
• Bets on the Correct Score of 1-1

It’s rare such a huge underdog goes to the Camp Nou and puts in such a committed and disciplined display. It’s even rarer they get a sniff of coming away from the game with anything more than a sore back from picking the ball out of the back of the net. Celtic’s performance was incredible and punters who were so cruelly denied deserve to get something back. That’s on top of paying out on all three of the potential results in the First Goalscorer market of Georgios Samaras, Own Goal and Andres Iniesta! Excited exclamation mark indeed.
If you backed any of the above bets pre-match, you should see a Free Bet landing in your account in the very near future. If you don’t get a refund you think you’re entitled to (a) make sure you know the refund is for pre-match singles only and then (b) contact our customer service team via the website or at @AskPaddyPower on Twitter.
Conditions
- Applies to single bets placed online only.
- Bets must be used between now and Sunday midnight.
- Excludes in running bets.

 

[noelyf]

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has confirmed that the club would sack any player guilty of any form of discrimination


Updated: Friday, 26 Oct 2012

Neil Lennon: 'Any sign of any sort of racism against colour, religion, background will be an instant sackable offence.'

Neil Lennon has warned his Celtic players that they will be sacked instantly if they are found guilty of any form of discrimination.


"We are an open club and we have been since the club was formed 125 years ago.


"I have a zero tolerance rule. I have spoken to the players about this before.


"Any sign of any sort of racism against colour, religion, background will be an instant sackable offence.


"I don't have to really speak to my players about that. The spirit and respect they have for each other is tremendous but they have been made well aware of that before.

​

"There is no place for that (discrimination) in the game and there never should have been.


"At this club we see everyone as equal and all I see are footballers and men and we treat them that way."


And Lennon has also hit back at former Barcelona star Bernd Schuster who criticised Celtic for their tactics in the Nou Camp.


The former West Germany midfielder, who also played for and managed Real Madrid, accused the Scottish champions of being too negative in their Group G clash with the Catalan giants which ended in defeat for the visitors when Jordi Alba scored an injury-time goal for the home side.


The Parkhead side were widely praised for their display but Schuster was quoted as saying: "I'm fed up of seeing these type of matches.

​

"There should not be teams like Celtic in the Champions League."


Lennon was both sarcastic and scathing with his retort.


"It's just the ramblings of someone who has failed as a coach," said the former Hoops skipper.


"I am disappointed that the media here wanted to emphasise his thoughts on the game.


"I was sitting there 60 minutes into the game thinking 'God what is Bernd Schuster thinking of our performance here, I better change it'.


"I did go with two strikers and I did bring on James Forrest and Kris Commons.


"I didn't set out to be defensive but sometimes Barcelona can get a grip of the opposition and not let go.


"So I don't take too much notice of Bernd Schuster, I am more into the thoughts of Gordon Strachan, Martin O'Neill and the Alex Ferguson's of this world, who I would take advice from before anyone else."

 

[noelyf]

[h=5]Green Brigade statement on police harassment

Last year was somewhat unique. It will rightly be remembered as the year our great rivals died. Yet what seemed to almost slip under the radar amidst the hilarity at Ibrox was the continued harassment of the Green Brigade, and the Celtic fans in general by Strathclyde Police both before and after the SNP legislation was scribbled. We have remained relatively quiet on this issue up until now, but it has got us nowhere and the harassment has continued; in fact it has worsened.

Most Celtic fans heard about the unprecedented case of the 17 year old Celtic fan remanded in custody at HM Polmont Young Offenders Instituiton for an alleged breach of the peace. The fall-out and the protests of other Celtic fans led to that thankfully being overturned before too much damage was done to a young boy. However, there are numerous other cases that haven’t been made public and so the Police have escaped criticism and been allowed to arrest and charge who they want, when they want. These include three of our members arrested by CID (two at home, one at work) after holding a banner reading ‘Huns FC’. Their case lasted the best part of two years before finally a ‘Not proven’ verdict was delivered. The cost of that case will have been astronomical. Clearly unhappy at this, the Police arrested one of the above AGAIN, this time for alleged sectarian singing. This never even made the courtroom, after the CCTV was shown outside the court, showing him clearly singing 'Up the Celts' much to the embarrassment of the officers who turned up as Prosecution witnesses.

After the highly-successful ‘Fans Against Criminalisation’ demo at George Square, Celtic played Hibs in a bore 0-0 draw. The game will be remembered by many though, after the Police unnecessarily waded into 111 looking to make arrests for reasons unknown. On the concourse after the game, they successfully arrested one of our members, accusing him of abusing their officers. Again, this was nothing but a blatant lie and led to another court case with THREE different trial dates. A Not Guilty verdict was returned when the case was finally heard.

A month or so later, and we had another member in court. This time his alleged crime was for ‘assault and resisting arrest’ at a Semi-final at Hampden. Again though, he was found not guilty. We have some other court cases pending as we speak, but we are confident these will go the same way as every other one so far. However, they are still obviously causing massive inconvenience and are having a huge effect on people’s livelihoods.

These charges have all led to our members missing matches watching and supporting the team they love. Celtic had banned every one of them while the cases were on-going. Indeed, the club do all they can to facilitate the Police and have offered no help whatsoever to their own support. After the match in Udine in December, Celtic banned a handful of supporters after flares were lit before kick off. One of these fans was a female season book holder in 111 whom, rather bizarrely, was watching the match from the comfort of her own living room! Thankfully, this was overturned eventually after it was pointed out to Celtic security that they had quite clearly made a rather embarrassing yet damaging mistake.

The level of surveillance applied to section 111 and the Green Brigade specifically verges on the surreal and is an astronomical waste of tax payers’ money. 90 minute surveillance clearly isn’t sufficient though as we learn from being filmed when approaching and leaving stadiums. A small band of Strathclyde Police following our members around Europe attempting to make their trips abroad uncomfortable also now appears to be common practice. Perhaps the hardest one for us to take is being filmed when inside Celtic Park hours early setting up for a display. Further from Celtic officials obviously accommodating such procedures they now believe it to be acceptable to hand over personal details of our members. Private information such as mobile phone numbers, names and addresses have been swapping hands without consent, even in instances where there is no alleged crime to answer for. Sadly, for us at least, this type of behaviour isn’t wholly surprising from Celtic officials – whether it is being sanctioned by Chief Executive Peter Lawwell who privately described our songs as ‘cancerous’ or Head of Security Ronnie Hawthorn who willingly will ban dedicated Celtic supporters offering them no chance of a defence against their alleged breach.

In recent weeks there has been a noticeable upsurge from Strathclyde Police in targeting the Celtic support. Up until now they have tried and failed to secure convictions for singing Irish Republican songs, attempting to concoct all manner of charges desperate to find one that will stick. Under their new ‘Anti-Football Legislation’ they are now targeting the Roll of Honour with a number of fans being arrested and charged with ‘offensive behaviour’ and even ‘Racial BOTP’ for singing this song. The most recent arrest being one of our members who was arrested while leaving Celtic Park at the Kilmarnock fixture and who has only just been released after being handed a weekend in the cells. Co-coincidentally, or ironically even, the accused just happens to be someone who has already been through the charade of a football charge with all the accompanying delights and he came away victorious. You’d excuse his paranoia for thinking he was being targeted and tested here.

Perhaps quite unbelievable to some it is not just at or around matches where we get such unwarranted attention. A few months ago one of our members applied for a licence to become a taxi driver. Normally, this would be a straight-forward procedure for a young man with nothing but a minor Breach of the Peace charge from his teenage years. Not quite. He received a letter explaining that his application had been rejected on the grounds that he’s not a ‘fit and proper person’ - an accusation based solely on his connections to the Green Brigade. This had come from the Chief Constable. Thankfully, after appeal, the licence was granted in the end but with no thanks to Strathclyde Police.

The above is just some of the instances of police harassment in the last 10-12 months. Not only is it causing innocent football fans great stress and hitting them badly in the pocket, it’s also costing the taxpayer a fortune. For too long, we have sat back and let them do as they please but it has to stop, and we hope that the coming weeks and months will eventually see a change in their approach and we can get back to supporting our team without fear of arrest at home or away. We believe we sacrifice an awful lot as individuals and as a group in what we do. We dedicate our time and money for our passion of supporting Celtic in our style and we have always attempted to maintain an amicable working relationship with Celtic employees for the benefit of both parties - even when in dispute over certain issues. However we will not tolerate the level of harassment we continue to face nor Celtic PLC’s compliant attitude.[/h]

 

[wheelo]

As someone who is not a fan of Scottish football, and merely follow results in the paper, I was (and am) not too au fait with these guys, but I have looked them up and a few things spring to mind, and these are my thoughts, and I realise some are contradictory
1 the Club was instrumental in setting up of this group and setting aside block 111
2 they describe themselves as ultras - to me this has connotations with hooliganism
3 the team presented the last league trophy directly to the 111 section
4 their main crime seems to be that they sing pro-IRA songs
5 it does seem that they are being persecuted, but why?
6 they have been credited with livening up the celtic park crowd
7 they pit themselves forward as a group against bigotry, anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian, so surely this doesn't tie in with 4 above

is there an element of hoolies mixed in? is the trouble in their section any worse than anywhere else in the stadium?? what is your take on these guys Noely as an avid Celtic FC fan? I know that you have used their logo as an avatar/Sig

 

[noelyf]

In response to Pro - IRA songs. The Songs sang at Parkhead are below. I would hardly call them "Pro - IRA" songs. These songs are sang all over the stadium , not just by the Green Brigade.

The Broad Black Brimmer & The Celtic Symphony.

[video=youtube;ZM7ltlq_lbM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM7ltlq_lbM[/video]

[video=youtube;efeKcz58_1E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efeKcz58_1E[/video]

Ultras meaning : Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of association football teams. The behavioral tendency of ultras groups includes the use of flares (primarily in tifo choreography), vocal support in large groups and the displaying of banners at football stadiums, all of which are designed to create an atmosphere which encourages their own team and intimidates opposing players and supporters.

Maybe its the "Ultras" name wheelo that attracts the attention from Stratclyde Police & others. :dunno:

the team presented the last league trophy directly to the 111 section

The above is true. Neil Lennon went directly to the Green Brigade in section 111 & applauded them at the final game last season.

They had Paradise rocking last season & are doing the same this season.

they pit themselves forward as a group against bigotry, anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian, so surely this doesn't tie in with 4 above

I believe the majority of Celtic fans are against bigotry, are anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian. Showing a banner (below) which was banned, to me its a bit of laugh mocking our rivals after their club died. The SFA & Stratclyde Police didnt think so :whacko:

While the Zombie fans had a "NO PEDOS IN DIV 3" banner & the authorities did nothing about it.

Anyway, without the Green Brigade, there would be no atmosphere in Paradise. I personally think they are doing a fantastic job & if the police and stewards left them alone to sing & display their (non sectarian) banners we wouldnt be talking about this right now.

EDIT - Heres an example below of what the GB are about on matchdays.


[video=youtube;OHpnnTQmb9E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHpnnTQmb9E[/video]

 

[pokeraldo7]

hi noelf
i agree
hh

 

[noelyf]

One more wheelo :) Cant post more than 3 vids in the same post, so I`ll post it here.

[h=1]Green Brigade Silent Protest and Banners V Inverness Caley Thistle[/h]
[video=youtube;MM800nwcs7Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM800nwcs7Q&amp;feature=related[/video]