With a grim sense of inevitability, it came as no great surprise to learn that the minute’s silence to mark Remembrance Day had once again been disrupted by certain supporters last weekend.
In what is now a shameful annual tradition in Scottish football, there is a group of utterly moronic individuals who choose to disgrace themselves and the clubs they support at this time of year.
On Saturday night, Hibernian fans interrupted a minute’s silence against St Mirren in Paisley. On Sunday, Celtic supporters did likewise prior to their home match against Kilmarnock.
With the referees having to cut short the silence in both instances, it was mortifying, whilst also depressingly predictable.
The weekend had started with Celtic releasing a statement on Friday to declare that they had issued the notoriously troublesome and toxic Green Brigade with a three-game ban.
That was in relation to the alleged ‘serious and violent’ assault of a steward and two police officers at their home match against Falkirk a couple of weeks ago.
Celtic fans turn their back and make gestures during the minute’s silence to mark the war dead
Celtic’s band of so-called Ultras have been vocal in their criticisms of the club this season
Play was delayed in a recent fixture at Dundee when fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch
Yet, by the time kick-off came around against Kilmarnock on Sunday, the corner of Celtic Park which houses the Green Brigade was far from empty. It was still well-populated.
Despite the ban, it was clear as day that many of them had still managed to gain access to the stadium. Celtic’s efforts to prevent these cretins from attending matches proved futile in the end.
There were whistles and jeers coming from that section of the stadium. Groups of young men, decked out in dark green and with some wearing face masks, turned their backs and made crude gestures during the silence.
Listen, the booing of a minute’s silence to commemorate those who bravely fought and lost their lives in past conflicts is the height of ignorance and disrespect.
It is also incredibly dim-witted given that many of these young men will have had grandfathers and great grandfathers who fought in wars, as well as Celtic having players who died in conflict.
That very point was made on the stadium Tannoy as Celtic pleaded for respect to be shown, only for some fans to brazenly ignore the request.
But there is a bigger picture in all of this. One which demonstrates how the balance of power in this fractious relationship has shifted in favour of those who routinely harm Celtic’s reputation.
The Green Brigade section lies empty during a European tie which fans were banned for in 2017
Given the way members of the Green Brigade were able to infiltrate the stadium and wreck a minute’s silence, last weekend demonstrated how Celtic have lost all control over this group of so-called Ultras.
When the group were formed back in 2006, Celtic welcomed the improved noise, colour and atmosphere around the stadium. The club agreed to give the group a designated area of their home ground. In short, Celtic enabled and empowered the Green Brigade in those early days. The club indulged them.
But it didn’t take long for the relationship to become problematic. The group’s political and militant background became a huge problem for the club and would repeatedly incur the wrath of UEFA.
An extract from the Green Brigade website reads as follows: ‘The group’s clearly stubborn and somewhat militant nature, coupled with its unashamedly political aspect, would cause conflict with the club and other authorities. Such problems still exist to this day.’
By opening their doors to the Green Brigade nearly 20 years ago, Celtic’s intentions may well have been genuine in terms of improving the atmosphere around the stadium. But they have grown to become a stain on the club’s wider image.
Beyond the political banners and the celebration of convicted IRA terrorists, the recent alleged assault on a steward and two police officers was a new low.
Part of the problem is that so many of these individuals are allowed to wear face masks inside stadiums as a means to conceal their identity.
While the atmosphere at Celtic Park is enhanced, the political messaging only brings trouble
They turn up with the intention of causing trouble and getting away with it. Why else would they wish to hide their faces?
Under current legislation, it is not an offence to wear a face covering inside a stadium unless asked to remove it by police.
If the Scottish Government and the game’s authorities are serious about tackling this sub-culture, changing this legislation would be an obvious starting point.
A key and fundamental part of the Green Brigade’s identity is to fight against perceived injustice, to rebel against the system.
Their views and politics seek to challenge not only outsiders, but the club itself. This is where Celtic now have a real problem on their hands.
The group have been indulged for so long that they are now out of control. They are a law unto themselves. A group who feel they are bigger than the club.
Celtic may not have created the group directly, but the club did not do anywhere near enough to nip this in the bud back in those early days.
What they now have on their hands is a monster. One which continues to shame the club at every turn. Events of the past fortnight have proven that beyond all doubt.
