Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: KevinGage on May 11, 2011, 09:52:15 PM
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Ugly scenes.
Could have been a lot worse if the Hearts fan didn't make a complete prat of himself and land on his arse.
Why is it always Lennon?
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Well even the saintly and fair Alan Shearer felt the need to kick him in the head. Does anyone know if Lennon is a step child?
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
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he certainly seem to divide opinions up there... personally i get the impression that he's a bit of a twat.
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Regardless of any comments made by Lennon this incident is a disgrace. Ferguson has gone out of his way to antagonise other teams before but I've never seen him attacked at a stadium.
Hopefully Hearts will be able to track the twat. I'd imagine tonight's game would've been 'booking history only' (to keep Celtic fans out of the Hearts end) so they should be able to work out who he is.
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The whole Lennon thing solely revolves around sectarianism because I can't remember a single controversial incident involving him, the Shearer thing apart, when he played in England.
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How come the person filming that keeps the camera on Lennon and doesn't follow the ball?
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At what stage do you think ''Fuck this for a game of soldiers'' and go to live jobless but tax-free in the Isle of Man?
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I forgive Alan Shearer ...now!
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I've stopped giving a shite about Celtic since that banner.
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Is there a story about Lennon that isn't public, because he does seem to attract a lot of issues. No other Celtic manager has gone through this, so why him?
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Didn't het get beaten up the other week too?
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At what stage do you think ''Fuck this for a game of soldiers'' and go to live jobless but tax-free in the Isle of Man?
If he does that though, the twats have won.
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Is there a story about Lennon that isn't public, because he does seem to attract a lot of issues. No other Celtic manager has gone through this, so why him?
Not sure about the past. A lot has to do with Loyalist headcases hating having a Celtic player in the team.
On this particular occasion, he had annoyed Hearts by accusing them of laying down to Rangers at the week-end (although he says it was taken out of context - I don't think it was). This is exactly the sort of thing Fergie has done for years, not worth attacking somebody over.
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Scum, sub human Scum
Lennon that is....only joking
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I've stopped giving a shite about Celtic since that banner.
Most Celtic fans, to their credit, disassociated themselves with the twats from Green Brigade.
As for Lennon, it all goes back to him appearing for the Northern Ireland side. Another soft target for twats.
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I've stopped giving a shite about Celtic since that banner.
On that basis a dozen morons with A4 sheets of paper will be able to turn you against any club. It wasn't representative of the club or the vast majority of their supporters.
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Got pretty close? Looks like he made some sort of contact to me.
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This sort of stuff always seems to worsen in recession when people have too much time to let hate fester!
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I always quite liked fester, and morticia was quite foxy in an undead kind of way.
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I always quite liked fester, and morticia was quite foxy in an undead kind of way.
A+.
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Not as good as when that Norwich fan through his season ticket at the manager on the first day of last season :P
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Ugly scenes.
Could have been a lot worse if the Hearts fan didn't make a complete prat of himself and land on his arse.
Why is it always Lennon?
Lennon is an antagonistic Irish catholic from Norn Iron. He had huge problems up there as a player and more now as a manager. He is a bit of an idiot alright but getting beaten unconscious as he has been or having people try and drive him off the road are disgraceful antics from sections of a sectarian society up there.
MON despite coming from the same background as Lennon was able to manage the PR side better than him up there.
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Ugly scenes.
Could have been a lot worse if the Hearts fan didn't make a complete prat of himself and land on his arse.
Why is it always Lennon?
Lennon is an antagonistic Irish catholic from Norn Iron. He had huge problems up there as a player and more now as a manager. He is a bit of an idiot alright but getting beaten unconscious as he has been or having people try and drive him off the road are disgraceful antics from sections of a sectarian society up there.
MON despite coming from the same background as Lennon was able to manage the PR side better than him up there.
I can understand that people who don't like Celtic FC would find him antagonistic in the way I find Alex Ferguson antagonistic. What has done to antagonise people in relation to him being a catholic from NI?
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MON despite coming from the same background as Lennon was able to manage the PR side better than him up there.
MON is from Kilea, a small village whilst Lennon is from Lurgan, a town that was part of the 'murder triangle'. I'd hardly call it "the same background" unless you're referring to the both being Catholics from the north.
Compared to what Lennon's been through in the last few weeks, some twat trying to chin him is small fry.
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I've not been following this. What was on the banner?
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I'm sorry, but that's the first time i've watched this incident in that video, and i thought it was hilarious. Almost managed to sneak up on him and give him a cuddle!
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It could have been a lot worse but in the end the attacker ended up looking silly.
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How come the person filming that keeps the camera on Lennon and doesn't follow the ball?
That's actually a good point. However, I think it was because they had just scored and that particular cameraman was looking for a shot of a reaction from the manager to the goal. The main camera was probably on the ball.
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Lennon has always been something of lightning rod for the hatred of one side of the sectarian divide, when he played for the national side and now, as manager of Celtic.
He doesn't help matters by opening his gob on regular basis, but as has been pointed out, he is not the first to do that on either side of the border, but in this case things have taken a sinister turn off the field,never mnd what happened last night.
Fair play to Gary Parker for leaping upon the miscreant, thankfully he was close by, after watching him play for us all those years ago, speed was never his strong point.
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What is going on below the surface in Scotland generally ? Because there seem to be ongoing ugly incidents that we did not used to see as much.
Here is a country which has very clear sectarian divisions as does Northern Ireland, yet in comparision have been managed in near tranquility. Right now they seem closer to breaking away politically from the rest of the United Kingdom than any other part, and that achieved without the organised anti- English voilent groupings you have had in Ireland and on a smaller scale Wales (sons of Glendwr). Perhaps as a country gets nearer to independence along a peaceful path (whether or not it reaches that point) differences that exist within bubble to the surface more than when it is part of a larger polical union ?
I remember sometime in the early 1990s a news report of particularly shocking crowd voilence at a Yugoslavian league game. This was reported purely in terms of fan voilence at football, the game was between teams from Serbia and Croatia. I am not for a moment suggesting Scotland is going to go up in flames like the Balkans did. But what is happening has very little to do with mere football allegiance or any particular antipathy merely towards Neil Lennon.
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Lennon does stoke things up on a regular basis to keep the pot bubbling away. He accused Hearts of not trying in their game against Rangers the previous weekend which is not the type of comment to make public a couple of days before your team are playing them.
One other comment that struck me on Radio 5 this morning was that the ball boys at the Celtic end had to be moved away due to the abuse and threatening behaviour they were experiencing. As others have said, it does feel like there is an undercurrent of something more sinister going on up there.
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Having watched the incident I am shocked and horrified.
I mean the bloke in the shell suit didn't get any power behind his punch did he
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I've stopped giving a shite about Celtic since that banner.
On that basis a dozen morons with A4 sheets of paper will be able to turn you against any club. It wasn't representative of the club or the vast majority of their supporters.
Its more to do with the club refusing to sell poppys, singing over minute silences, anti british songs etc
Lennon will always be a target, he stokes things up and acts like a complete and utter twat, whats gone on recentley is too much though
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I've stopped giving a shite about Celtic since that banner.
On that basis a dozen morons with A4 sheets of paper will be able to turn you against any club. It wasn't representative of the club or the vast majority of their supporters.
Its more to do with the club refusing to sell poppys, singing over minute silences, anti british songs etc
Lennon will always be a target, he stokes things up and acts like a complete and utter twat, whats gone on recentley is too much though
Like all sides of a divide such as this there are those who take the extreme point of view and their views must not be taken as a true representation of the majority view. From the Irish objectors to the forthcoming Queens visit, to the DUP councillor and his incendiary remarks regarding Sinn Fein last week and from the anti-british Celtic fans to the Rangers fans who claim delight in being "up to their knees in fenian blood".
Taking the actions and opinions of extemists as indicitaive of everyones view just fuels prejudice, suspicion and ultimately hatred.
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He must have really wound people up for all this trouble stupid man he should just concentrate on football nothing else really.
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He must have really wound people up for all this trouble stupid man he should just concentrate on football nothing else really.
So his comments were that bad, people have decided to make attempts on his life? He has certainly made some ill-advised comments but to claim the death threats, parcel bombs and bullets in the post are all his fault is a bit much.
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In my humble opinion violence against anybody anywhere for any reason is wrong.
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He must have really wound people up for all this trouble stupid man he should just concentrate on football nothing else really.
What a stupid fucking comment. You're essentially saying that he deserved to have letter bombs, bullets etc. posted to him.
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Ugly scenes.
Could have been a lot worse if the Hearts fan didn't make a complete prat of himself and land on his arse.
Why is it always Lennon?
Watching it again it was only the action of the assistant (is that Alan Thompson?) who grabs the coat as he runs past that makes the guy fall to the ground like that.
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What is going on below the surface in Scotland generally ? Because there seem to be ongoing ugly incidents that we did not used to see as much.
I don't think there's a bigger picture here at all beyond the fact that two football clubs have a lot of utter arseholes that follow them.
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I don't think there's a bigger picture here at all beyond the fact that two football clubs have a lot of utter arseholes that follow them.
Bingo. Horrible clubs that should be shut and erased from memory. As I said before, their only reason for existing seems to be to antagonise the other side.
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You have to feel for the 95% of fans for Celtic and Rangers who are horrified with what is going on. I have a number of good friends who are either Celtic or Rangers fans and the banter is generally something akin to us and Brum fans. We like crowing over each other when we get the results (ok, its not as one sided for the Scots). I just feel disappointed that a game that the whole world plays and loves keeps getting dragged into racial, religious or sexual orientation side issues. No one deserves what Neil is going through, whatever you think of what he says or does
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When, as others have pointed out, you have two clubs with so many idiotic fans who hate each other so much, it doesn't help when you have a player/recently become manager who has spent the best part of the last ten years making stupid comments and generally stiring things. Obviously the attempted assault, bullets in the post etc.. is a complete disgrace and those involved deserve severe punishment, however it would help things a lot if Mr Lennon could use a bit of decorum once in a while.
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
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I still don't know what it is that Lennon has done to cause anyone to think he has brought it upon himself?
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That's the thing, he's done (from what I can gather) no more than what the likes of Wenger, Ferguson, Mourinho have done in the past.
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Lennon comes across as a bit of a twat, but even so it should never lead to some of the stuff that he has to deal with. It's football for fucks sake, and the issues in Scotland right now are far deeper than football. Football, especially between the big two is simply becoming a medium to vent anger at the social disorder and economic turmoil up there, let alone the sectarian divisions that have always existed. Something very bad is going to happen very soon, and it appears as though that day is getting closer with incidents like this.
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Lennon comes across as a bit of a twat, but even so it should never lead to some of the stuff that he has to deal with. It's football for fucks sake, and the issues in Scotland right now are far deeper than football. Football, especially between the big two is simply becoming a medium to vent anger at the social disorder and economic turmoil up there, let alone the sectarian divisions that have always existed. Something very bad is going to happen very soon, and it appears as though that day is getting closer with incidents like this.
Well there you go. You start by saying he comes across as a bit of a twat. How so?
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It's been happening him for years though, he ended up retiring from international football because of the abuse he was getting from his own supporters. You can't really blame someone if they then get a bit arsey, imo.
I was watching SSN before the game, and they were showing an interview with him, he didn't look well at all, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he called it quits in the summer. Nothing is worth being put through all that stress, particularly when you've a family to think of too.
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I've only just learned that he's been battling depression since 2000. If going through all of this wasn't hard enough......
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
Sitting here in work, with a Rangers fan by me, I have been asked to point out that "what's it like to live in fear" was never sung by the Rangers support that day and as he was there, he should know.
He's a good lad actually when I can understand what he is saying and he certainly doesn't condone what has happened to Lennon recently. He goes with the general opinion though that he doesn't help himself much.
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
Sitting here in work, with a Rangers fan by me, I have been asked to point out that "what's it like to live in fear" was never sung by the Rangers support that day and as he was there, he should know.
He's a good lad actually when I can understand what he is saying and he certainly doesn't condone what has happened to Lennon recently. He goes with the general opinion though that he doesn't help himself much.
Could you ask him for a couple of examples?
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
Sitting here in work, with a Rangers fan by me, I have been asked to point out that "what's it like to live in fear" was never sung by the Rangers support that day and as he was there, he should know.
He's a good lad actually when I can understand what he is saying and he certainly doesn't condone what has happened to Lennon recently. He goes with the general opinion though that he doesn't help himself much.
Well I heard it. I watched the game in its entirety.
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It's been happening him for years though, he ended up retiring from international football because of the abuse he was getting from his own supporters.
It was much more than abuse, Ger. He received what appeared to be a serious death threat from a paramilitary group in 2002 and felt that he couldn't continue playing for Northern Ireland.
He's no shrinking violet, but the bullets and parcel bombs in the post, along with what happened last night, are off the scale in terms of what anyone should have to put up with. This has really got out of hand now. They're reporting today that two people have now been arrested in connection with the parcel bombs:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13371273
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He must have really wound people up for all this trouble stupid man he should just concentrate on football nothing else really.
So his comments were that bad, people have decided to make attempts on his life? He has certainly made some ill-advised comments but to claim the death threats, parcel bombs and bullets in the post are all his fault is a bit much.
The only thing that keeps the revenue flowing in at Rangers and Celtic given the pathetic league in which they play is the intensity of the sectarian hatred between the 2 sets of supporters. Lennon is fully aware of this and it is only this hatred that enables him to be paid as much as he is for managing at such a mediocre level.
Given this any employee of either club who seeks to play on this hatred is knowingly playing a very dangerous game.
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
Sitting here in work, with a Rangers fan by me, I have been asked to point out that "what's it like to live in fear" was never sung by the Rangers support that day and as he was there, he should know.
He's a good lad actually when I can understand what he is saying and he certainly doesn't condone what has happened to Lennon recently. He goes with the general opinion though that he doesn't help himself much.
Could you ask him for a couple of examples?
Opened a can of worms now, thanks for that :-)
Story in paper about threatening to "do" his ex
Arrested on a night out with Celtic in Newcastle
40th Anniversary of Ibrox, wouldn't come out until minutes silence was over, after John Greig and Billy McNeill had led teams out.
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Do we know who the lad who attacked him supported? Was it a Hearts fan, Rangers fan or a really daft Celtic fan?
It is ridiculous. I don't like Neil Lennon but I don't see what he (and especially his family who are likely to get caught up in this) has done to deserve the threats, parcels and attacks that he has been subjected to. He is a bit of an arse at times (the ridiculous situation around refs earlier this season being a strong example) but I just don't see what he has done to deserve being killed (which is what will happen if the madmen succeed).
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
Sitting here in work, with a Rangers fan by me, I have been asked to point out that "what's it like to live in fear" was never sung by the Rangers support that day and as he was there, he should know.
He's a good lad actually when I can understand what he is saying and he certainly doesn't condone what has happened to Lennon recently. He goes with the general opinion though that he doesn't help himself much.
Could you ask him for a couple of examples?
Opened a can of worms now, thanks for that :-)
Story in paper about threatening to "do" his ex
Arrested on a night out with Celtic in Newcastle
40th Anniversary of Ibrox, wouldn't come out until minutes silence was over, after John Greig and Billy McNeill had led teams out.
Pretty feeble examples really. He should be honest and let you know the real reason for the hatred. That is of course the fact that he was a current Northern Ireland international when he signed for Celtic.
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
Sitting here in work, with a Rangers fan by me, I have been asked to point out that "what's it like to live in fear" was never sung by the Rangers support that day and as he was there, he should know.
He's a good lad actually when I can understand what he is saying and he certainly doesn't condone what has happened to Lennon recently. He goes with the general opinion though that he doesn't help himself much.
Could you ask him for a couple of examples?
Opened a can of worms now, thanks for that :-)
Story in paper about threatening to "do" his ex
Arrested on a night out with Celtic in Newcastle
40th Anniversary of Ibrox, wouldn't come out until minutes silence was over, after John Greig and Billy McNeill had led teams out.
He also spat on a Union flag during an old firm game at some point.
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Lennon comes across as a bit of a twat, but even so it should never lead to some of the stuff that he has to deal with. It's football for fucks sake, and the issues in Scotland right now are far deeper than football. Football, especially between the big two is simply becoming a medium to vent anger at the social disorder and economic turmoil up there, let alone the sectarian divisions that have always existed. Something very bad is going to happen very soon, and it appears as though that day is getting closer with incidents like this.
Well there you go. You start by saying he comes across as a bit of a twat. How so?
comments, gestures that he's made as a player and manager. When you are at a club that has such an influence in society, way beyond football, then you have to act accordingly. He doesn't and he has brought a lot of this one himself. As I pointed out though, it still doesn't warrant being attacked from the stands or having bombs sent to his home.
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Don't really like Lennon and I think he has brought a lot of this on himself, walking off at Ibrox goading the Rangers fans isn't a good idea. But that is bang out of order.
It's very difficult to turn the other cheek when the match occurs three days after you have received a parcel bomb and whilst walking off the pitch the aforementioned oh so friendly Rangers fans are singing 'What's it like to live in fear?'
Sitting here in work, with a Rangers fan by me, I have been asked to point out that "what's it like to live in fear" was never sung by the Rangers support that day and as he was there, he should know.
He's a good lad actually when I can understand what he is saying and he certainly doesn't condone what has happened to Lennon recently. He goes with the general opinion though that he doesn't help himself much.
Could you ask him for a couple of examples?
Opened a can of worms now, thanks for that :-)
Story in paper about threatening to "do" his ex
Arrested on a night out with Celtic in Newcastle
40th Anniversary of Ibrox, wouldn't come out until minutes silence was over, after John Greig and Billy McNeill had led teams out.
Pretty feeble examples really. He should be honest and let you know the real reason for the hatred. That is of course the fact that he was a current Northern Ireland international when he signed for Celtic.
Feeble excuses? Even the one about missing the minutes silence?
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Are there any people who still want these two clubs to come and bring their own brands of stupidity and hatred to the Premiership?
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Are there any people who still want these two clubs to come and bring their own brands of stupidity and hatred to the Premiership?
Sky probably do. And idiots like Richard Scudamore.
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Are there any people who still want these two clubs to come and bring their own brands of stupidity and hatred to the Premiership?
you know for a bit I thought it might make football generally a bit more interesting. I've completely done a 180 on that. Nothing would be worse. I'd take game 39 over that to be honest.
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I'm not sure why he didn't get out in time for the minutes silence, he said he was making his way out when it started so he decided to stand still and observe it where he was. He certainly couldn't have gone striding out when it had started.
I doubt it was deliberate seeing as the day before he said: "It was a huge tragedy and I hope and pray the minute's silence is observed with the respect it deserves. This isn't a football matter. This is about human beings and that puts everything else into perspective.
"I hope the ceremony is conducted with the dignity it deserves.
"It's not about football, it's a human issue concerning a tragedy and it's important those people who lost their lives are remembered."
He was immediately released without charge after the arrest and the threat to "do" his ex-girlfiend appears to have been in terms of you've done me by going to the papers and selling you story, now I'm going to do you.
Still, I suppose it does give them the fuel they need even if there isn't very much of it.
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Another bullet sent to him today.
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Still, I suppose it does give them the fuel they need even if there isn't very much of it.
The press certainly have a lot to answer for, hopefully now they'll start acting a bit more responsibily. They certainly stirred it up before the Hearts game.
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I've only just learned that he's been battling depression since 2000.
A few of us have been suffering depression since 2000. Mine came on about about this time of the year if I remember right!
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scotsman.com (http://www.scotsman.com/news/Man-charged-over-touchline-attack.6766976.jp)
The accompanying photos show how close this chap got; looks like ex Villain Alan Thompson came to the rescue in the nick of time.
Man charged over touchline attack on Celtic manager Neil Lennon
Published Date: 12 May 2011
By ALLAN MACKIE
A MAN appeared in court today over the attempted pitchside attack on Celtic manager Neil Lennon during last night's match at Tynecastle.
John Wilson, 26, from Edinburgh, was charged with breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice and assault aggravated by religious prejudice.
He appeared at a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this afternoon. No plea or declaration was made during the hearing and he was remanded in custody.
He was arrested after he clambered over the barrier from the Hearts section of the main stand and charged towards the Celtic boss, who was on the touchline.
The manager, who has had to live with round-the-clock security after death threats in the past, was said to be "shaken" after the incident.
Last night's attempted attack happened after Celtic's Gary Hooper scored the Glasgow club's second goal.
The Glasgow side won the game 3-0 to keep their title hopes alive.
Late last night, the Celtic boss wrote on his Twitter page: "Don't let what happened to me tonight take the shine off a wonderful team performance... I don't walk alone."
A police spokesman said last night: "A number of incidents took place during this match, including some violent disorder.
"Lothian and Borders Police will fully investigate all of the incidents that occurred at the match this evening and will work closely with both football clubs and the SPL."
Meanwhile, two men have been detained by police in connection with an investigation into parcel bombs sent to Lennon and to two high-profile supporters of the club.
Two bombs were sent to Lennon and one each to lawyer Paul McBride QC and former MSP Trish Godman.
The men, aged 41 and 43, were detained under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 after officers raided a number of properties in Kilwinning, Ayrshire at 6am this morning.
In relation to the scenes at Tynecastle last night, Hearts and the SPL have launched investigations.
In a statement, Hearts said: "Hearts is a club which prides itself on its 'football for all' policy and these sorts of actions have no place in the game of football.
"We will give our full support to the stewards and police authorities in the ensuing investigation into the events at tonight's match."
SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We had a delegate at the game who will be giving us a detailed report on the incident. We will also be taking reports from the police and talking to both of the clubs.
"Clearly, this is something which needs to be investigated thoroughly and with urgency. That's exactly what will happen."
He said the incident was "wholly unacceptable" and "disgraceful".
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable.
"The Joint Action Group formed after the recent football summit is developing the eight-point plan to present to ministers before the start of the new season to tackle all issues of violence and bigotry in relation to football, because we cannot have the safety of individuals endangered by such mindless incidents, and our national game tarnished."
After last night's attempted attack on Lennon, trouble flared in the Celtic section of the stadium, with fans appearing to fight with police and stewards.
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Hearts saying the simpleton wasn't one of theirs, but then they would say that et.c.
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Didn't Lennon's problems in Northern Ireland start when he said that the two nations could/would end up playing as a united Ireland team? I'm sure it was something along those lines.
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George Best said similar.
He didn't have to contend with death threats and bullets in the post.
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Well I think thats what caused the death threats originally, which then led to him retiring from international football. Is there any reason as to why its escalated in the last year? Maybe it just reflects a broader increase in loyalist/republican tension.
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Well I think thats what caused the death threats originally, which then led to him retiring from international football. Is there any reason as to why its escalated in the last year? Maybe it just reflects a broader increase in loyalist/republican tension.
Because he became manager of Celtic?
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I spend a bit of time working in Northern Ireland. The impression I get on the ground is that an escalation in tensions over the last couple of years has been well masked in the media.
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George Best said similar.
He didn't have to contend with death threats and bullets in the post.
I guess he wasn't a 'native' so could get away with saying such a team would be stronger.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
No previous Celtic manager ever signed for that club as a current catholic Northern Ireland international though. All the problems have stemmed from that.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
No previous Celtic manager ever signed for that club as a current catholic Northern Ireland international though. All the problems have stemmed from that.
You really think so? You really think that the fact he was a current international as opposed to a former one like O'Neill, a former Protestant Celtic player like Jock Stein or a former Republic player such as Liam Brady makes any difference to the sort of mindset that could send bullets through the post or to a Hearts supporter from Edinburgh?
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He's a Catholic and has made the odd Ferguson-like comment about the opposition. He's no more of a twat than Ferguson, Wenger and probably a few others.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
No previous Celtic manager ever signed for that club as a current catholic Northern Ireland international though. All the problems have stemmed from that.
You really think so?
Yes absolutely.
What heinous crime has Lennon committed to warrant the bombs, bullets, physical attacks etc he's received from the nutters in Glasgow and Ulster?
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There's a good article here, and the comments from 'joestrummer' (with a name like that he's hardly likely to be a sash-wearing Orangeman) make sense as well.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/celtic/8510762/Neil-Lennon-is-an-Irishman-who-polarises-opinion-like-no-other.html
The fact is that Lennon has, in the past and particularly this season, gone out of his way to be antagonistic not just towards Rangers but towards the whole of Scottish football. His being a current Northern Ireland interntional when he signed for Celtic is but a minor technicality. Does it make any sense at all that a Rangers supporter/Loyalist/whoever is going to threaten him just because of who he was playing for years ago, when they didn't give the same treatment to Jock Stein, Martin O'Neill, Liam Brady et al?
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I'm really struggling to get my head around the argument from some on here. He acts like Ferguson or Mourinho (think referees aren't influenced by them?), yet if someone tried to kill them, I don't think anyone on here would be saying "but he was asking for it".
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What heinous crime has Lennon committed to warrant the bombs, bullets, physical attacks etc he's received from the nutters in Glasgow and Ulster?
He acts like a ******.
This is in no way condoning the fuckwits that send parcel bombs, bullets or physically attack him, they are even bigger ******.
Scottish football needs a divisive character in charge of one the Old Firm such as Lennon like it needs a contaminated heroin fix, you are never going to stop the idiots wanting to hate the others, but you don't need bleach in the mixture.
I'm drunk, has this worked?
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There's a good article here, and the comments from 'joestrummer' (with a name like that he's hardly likely to be a sash-wearing Orangeman) make sense as well.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/celtic/8510762/Neil-Lennon-is-an-Irishman-who-polarises-opinion-like-no-other.html
The fact is that Lennon has, in the past and particularly this season, gone out of his way to be antagonistic not just towards Rangers but towards the whole of Scottish football. His being a current Northern Ireland interntional when he signed for Celtic is but a minor technicality. Does it make any sense at all that a Rangers supporter/Loyalist/whoever is going to threaten him just because of who he was playing for years ago, when they didn't give the same treatment to Jock Stein, Martin O'Neill, Liam Brady et al?
There's nothing in that article that says he does anything worse than absolutely loads of managers have done. "Cupping his hands to his ears" to take the piss out of Rangers fans who have been slagging him off all game? Oh no.
Admittedly, I can't seem to read the comments you refer to. However, to suggest that his religion plays a 'minor' part in the hatred of him sounds unlikely. He's never been attacked at Easter Road, has he? It seems like a combination of him being a high-profile Catholic and a bit of a twat (but no more so than Ferguson or Wenger) that has made people hate him so much.
While I think he does come across as a bit of a cock at times, if he quits it would be a disaster as it would give bigots, on both sides, carte blanche to attack anyone they don't like in the hope of forcing them out of the game.
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So according to that article, Lennon has the look of an Irish Catholic who'd unsettle Ulster Protestants. He doesn't quite have the urbane features or personality of an O'Neill. So that is part of the problem is it?
Whatever about the man's faults, or his unfortunate tendency to deliberately wind up Rangers, it's a bit much to link his physical features to the abuse he's been subject too. Should he be asked to die his hair a less offensive colour lest he offend loyalist sensibilities?
I hate to see two Scottish clubs base their rivalry around Irish history. Neither side as any idea what they're talking about and the antagonism between the two sets of supporters comes down to their own ignorance and grotesque style of sectarianism.
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There's nothing in that article that says he does anything worse than absolutely loads of managers have done. "Cupping his hands to his ears" to take the piss out of Rangers fans who have been slagging him off all game? Oh no.
Admittedly, I can't seem to read the comments you refer to. However, to suggest that his religion plays a 'minor' part in the hatred of him sounds unlikely. He's never been attacked at Easter Road, has he? It seems like a combination of him being a high-profile Catholic and a bit of a twat (but no more so than Ferguson or Wenger) that has made people hate him so much.
While I think he does come across as a bit of a cock at times, if he quits it would be a disaster as it would give bigots, on both sides, carte blanche to attack anyone they don't like in the hope of forcing them out of the game.
What he did at Ibrox (and not for the first time) wasn't the brightest thing to do given the run-up to that particular Old Firm game and the thing about his religion misses what I said before - why is it that he, and he alone, has received this level of abuse?
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I said it is a combination of his religion and his twattishness. Not one or the other.
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People making a lot out of Lennon cupping his ears at Ibrox, funny how when Artur Boruc ran the length of the Ibrox pitch with a Celtic champions flag he didn't have to have police opening his mail. The fact is Lennon is a catholic born in the North of Ireland who played for the country of his birth and probably more significantly broached the subject of a 32 county Irish international team.
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People making a lot out of Lennon cupping his ears at Ibrox, funny how when Artur Boruc ran the length of the Ibrox pitch with a Celtic champions flag he didn't have to have police opening his mail. The fact is Lennon is a catholic born in the North of Ireland who played for the country of his birth and probably more significantly broached the subject of a 32 county Irish international team.
Artur Boruc acted like a complete c*** to Rangers fans, he blessed himself in front of there fans before during and after the game and wouldn't do it at any other ground, so that ends the catholic shite
Lennon is the a horrible horrible little man, i would absolutely hate him to be in the Premiership and so would the 19 other clubs that face him. He's a bully to the referee's, he winds things up when they dont need to be wound up, and he knows exactly what he's doing.
CDVillain: He hasnt been attacked at Easter Road because there a Catholic club, well so they say, theyll bring the Ireland flags out when they play the Old Firm, in the same way if you watched the game the other day, you may have noticed the Union Jack in the Hearts end
Also id just like to add, that the level of abuse was so bad from the Celtic fans (aimed at the ballboys!!!) that they had to be removed for there own safety.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
Right, so you're blaming him for parcel bombs and bullets in the post are you? Blame the victim - nice!
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
Right, so you're blaming him for parcel bombs and bullets in the post are you? Blame the victim - nice!
No. What I was saying is that why do these things only happen to Lennon?
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
They are a British club, playing in Britain???
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If we have an idiot spouting his mouth off in a pub and someone smacks him, then the person that smacks him is in the wrong and should be prosecuted for assault.
But the other bloke is still an idiot spouting his mouth off.
I come from a slightly similar background to Lennon and would share some similar religous and political views, but as a public figure in the sporting world those views have no place and he should conduct himself in a more professional manner.
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
They are a British club, playing in Britain???
Which is why I'm sure they do the same thing everytime they play Aberdeen.
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
They are a British club, playing in Britain???
Yes, because it has absolutely nothing to do with trying to wind Celtic and its supporters up.
Like I've said already, both clubs seem to only exist to wind the other up, the sooner they are both gone the better.
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
An attempt to generate support and atmoshphere for their biggest match of the season?
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Well why not a Blue flag with a red and white stripe in the middle? The Union Flag in this context and at thsi time is the issue for me. We all know the relevance of the flag to both sets of supporters.
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Well why not a Blue flag with a red and white stripe in the middle? The Union Flag in this context and at thsi time is the issue for me. We all know the relevance of the flag to both sets of supporters.
Not every Celtic fan is a IRA supporting Republican. I'm sure most Celtic fans are not particularly bothered by the flag of the state they live in being waved.
For those that are vexed by it, good.
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It's quite possible to be a nationalist without supporting the IRA you know. Some remarkable double standards being shown here.
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
They are a British club, playing in Britain???
Yes, because it has absolutely nothing to do with trying to wind Celtic and its supporters up.
Like I've said already, both clubs seem to only exist to wind the other up, the sooner they are both gone the better.
Yeah, sorry it wasn't really a serious response to K3Villa's mail.
They both are as bad as each other.
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Apologies for the sarcy reply so!
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
preparation for the wedding of kate & wills? /facetious
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Not every Celtic fan is a IRA supporting Republican. I'm sure most Celtic fans are not particularly bothered by the flag of the state they live in being waved.
For those that are vexed by it, good.
You don't need to be an IRA supporter to want an independent Ireland.
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It's quite possible to be a nationalist without supporting the IRA you know. Some remarkable double standards being shown here.
Whatever, add it to the mix. The point was that the idea the Union flag causes such immense offence is toss, because it suggests Celtic fans are on the margins of society, when they're not.
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Not every Celtic fan is a IRA supporting Republican. I'm sure most Celtic fans are not particularly bothered by the flag of the state they live in being waved.
For those that are vexed by it, good.
You don't need to be an IRA supporter to want an independent Ireland.
And you don't need to be Irish to support Celtic.
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From an article in The Scotsman:
Scotland's Shame is alive and kicking (http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/John-Kelly-Scotland39s-Shame-is.6767358.jp?articlepage=1)
It is patently flawed to revert to lazy soundbites about the problems of the Old Firm and the west coast when this year we have witnessed the hatred and intolerance transcend these much-maligned borders.
In addition to a politician and a QC - albeit both with Celtic FC connections - receiving letter bombs, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic clergyman and an Irish cultural-political organisation have also received bullets and a letter bomb in the post.
This is, of course, in addition to Celtic players Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt - both Northern Irish Catholics - receiving bullets in the post. The choice of targets here is revealing and tells us a lot about the essence of ethno-religious prejudice in Scotland.
A cursory analysis of the targets reveals the common denominators to be one or some of the following combination; high profile Roman Catholic in Scotland, Celtic FC connection, Irish. This hits at the heart of the issue.
Forget the nonsensical half excuses, peddled by those who should know better, that Lennon "brings it on himself", that "he's a fiery character" or that he "has to shoulder part of the blame".
Apart from a naive determination and excitable approach to his new profession - shared by many other determined coaches, yet never precipitating such reactions - Lennon has done nothing wrong except to refuse to behave like the Irish Catholics of previous generations in Scotland and "keep the heid doon".
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Not every Celtic fan is a IRA supporting Republican. I'm sure most Celtic fans are not particularly bothered by the flag of the state they live in being waved.
For those that are vexed by it, good.
You don't need to be an IRA supporter to want an independent Ireland.
And you don't need to be Irish to support Celtic.
So what's your point? That unless you're an Irish Republican it shouldn't bother you? I'm sure non-Irish Celtic fans love their nearest rival giving out flags to their fans that are purposefully intended to wind up a large section of their fellow Celtic fans.
If Lennon shouldn't act as he does, an opinion I agree with, then acts like this should also be condemned. Or is his behaviour acceptable as all Rangers fans are not NI Unionists?
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From an article in The Scotsman:
Scotland's Shame is alive and kicking (http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/John-Kelly-Scotland39s-Shame-is.6767358.jp?articlepage=1)
It is patently flawed to revert to lazy soundbites about the problems of the Old Firm and the west coast when this year we have witnessed the hatred and intolerance transcend these much-maligned borders.
In addition to a politician and a QC - albeit both with Celtic FC connections - receiving letter bombs, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic clergyman and an Irish cultural-political organisation have also received bullets and a letter bomb in the post.
This is, of course, in addition to Celtic players Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt - both Northern Irish Catholics - receiving bullets in the post. The choice of targets here is revealing and tells us a lot about the essence of ethno-religious prejudice in Scotland.
A cursory analysis of the targets reveals the common denominators to be one or some of the following combination; high profile Roman Catholic in Scotland, Celtic FC connection, Irish. This hits at the heart of the issue.
Forget the nonsensical half excuses, peddled by those who should know better, that Lennon "brings it on himself", that "he's a fiery character" or that he "has to shoulder part of the blame".
Apart from a naive determination and excitable approach to his new profession - shared by many other determined coaches, yet never precipitating such reactions - Lennon has done nothing wrong except to refuse to behave like the Irish Catholics of previous generations in Scotland and "keep the heid doon".
Good article. Who knew that hooliganism was all to do with gains in distinction and social desirability behaviours based on besting an "Other".
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Not every Celtic fan is a IRA supporting Republican. I'm sure most Celtic fans are not particularly bothered by the flag of the state they live in being waved.
For those that are vexed by it, good.
You don't need to be an IRA supporter to want an independent Ireland.
And you don't need to be Irish to support Celtic.
So what's your point? That unless you're an Irish Republican it shouldn't bother you? I'm sure non-Irish Celtic fans love their nearest rival giving out flags to their fans that are purposefully intended to wind up a large section of their fellow Celtic fans.
If Lennon shouldn't act as he does, an opinion I agree with, then acts like this should also be condemned. Or is his behaviour acceptable as all Rangers fans are not NI Unionists?
Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
They are a British club, playing in Britain???
Last time I looked Villa were a British club playing in Britain. I don't remember them being handed out at VP, even at European games.
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Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
Totally agree there is.
But in the context of Rangers handing out 40,000 flags to their supporters before a game with Celtic, what do you honestly think the intent was? Having a 'Britain Day' or trying to wind up the Celtic fans?
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I found it interesting that, at the last match at Ibrox (the one after all the trouble between players and managers) Rangers - as a Club - handed out 40 thousand Union Flags to the home support. Whats all that about then?
They are a British club, playing in Britain???
Last time I looked Villa were a British club playing in Britain. I don't remember them being handed out at VP, even at European games.
See my later post on page 7 (bottom).
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Not every Celtic fan is a IRA supporting Republican. I'm sure most Celtic fans are not particularly bothered by the flag of the state they live in being waved.
For those that are vexed by it, good.
You don't need to be an IRA supporter to want an independent Ireland.
And you don't need to be Irish to support Celtic.
So what's your point? That unless you're an Irish Republican it shouldn't bother you? I'm sure non-Irish Celtic fans love their nearest rival giving out flags to their fans that are purposefully intended to wind up a large section of their fellow Celtic fans.
If Lennon shouldn't act as he does, an opinion I agree with, then acts like this should also be condemned. Or is his behaviour acceptable as all Rangers fans are not NI Unionists?
Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
I see what you're getting at but celebrating Britishness/Unionism at a Rangers v Celtic match would not be wise and if they want to do this then they could do it against any other team same applies if Celtic handed out Tricolours celebrating the Easter Rising or the IRA campaign in Northern Ireland. For christ sake they have been using the crisis in Palestine/Isreal as a way of division over the years. Look into the history of sectarianism in Ireland and Scotland and gauge your opinion on that. You will have to wade through a lot of bullshit mind! It's all shite but I'm afraid it's human nature to a lot of people. Education is the way to solve it but takes an awful long time to sink in and there are some very bitter and entrenched people surrounding both clubs.
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Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
Totally agree there is.
But in the context of Rangers handing out 40,000 flags to their supporters before a game with Celtic, what do you honestly think the intent was? Having a 'Britain Day' or trying to wind up the Celtic fans?
Well, whether they were trying to wind Celtic fans up or not, can Celtic fans really complain about a team waving the flag of the country that both clubs play in? I understand their complaints when Rangers fans start singing songs about William of Orange and the like, but I don't think there's anything wrong with displaying the Union flag.
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A saltire yes no problem, flag of the country. The Union Jack is the flag of the Union and is a very provocative symbol to irish nationalists and I suppose scottish nationalists too.
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Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
Totally agree there is.
But in the context of Rangers handing out 40,000 flags to their supporters before a game with Celtic, what do you honestly think the intent was? Having a 'Britain Day' or trying to wind up the Celtic fans?
Well, whether they were trying to wind Celtic fans up or not, can Celtic fans really complain about a team waving the flag of the country that both clubs play in? I understand their complaints when Rangers fans start singing songs about William of Orange and the like, but I don't think there's anything wrong with displaying the Union flag.
I suppose it's as others have said, there's a reason they only do it against Celtic.
Anyway, my point was that actions like this should be carefully considered. For instance, there's nothing wrong with Catholic Arthur Boruc blessing himself before a game. But when he does it only infront on the Rangers fans, it's obviously more of a wind up than a celebration of his faith.
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Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
Totally agree there is.
But in the context of Rangers handing out 40,000 flags to their supporters before a game with Celtic, what do you honestly think the intent was? Having a 'Britain Day' or trying to wind up the Celtic fans?
Well, whether they were trying to wind Celtic fans up or not, can Celtic fans really complain about a team waving the flag of the country that both clubs play in? I understand their complaints when Rangers fans start singing songs about William of Orange and the like, but I don't think there's anything wrong with displaying the Union flag.
I suppose it's as others have said, there's a reason they only do it against Celtic.
Anyway, my point was that actions like this should be carefully considered. For instance, there's nothing wrong with Catholic Arthur Boruc blessing himself before a game. But when he does it only infront on the Rangers fans, it's obviously more of a wind up than a celebration of his faith.
Spot on. It does make me wonder that if they did join the prem whether they would have time for this kind of thing and solely concentrate on their teams as they would be in a more competitive league where they wouldn't get an easy ride most weeks and would be more worried about relegation or euro spots. Wishful thinking probably but worth considering.
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Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
Totally agree there is.
But in the context of Rangers handing out 40,000 flags to their supporters before a game with Celtic, what do you honestly think the intent was? Having a 'Britain Day' or trying to wind up the Celtic fans?
Well, whether they were trying to wind Celtic fans up or not, can Celtic fans really complain about a team waving the flag of the country that both clubs play in? I understand their complaints when Rangers fans start singing songs about William of Orange and the like, but I don't think there's anything wrong with displaying the Union flag.
I suppose it's as others have said, there's a reason they only do it against Celtic.
Anyway, my point was that actions like this should be carefully considered. For instance, there's nothing wrong with Catholic Arthur Boruc blessing himself before a game. But when he does it only infront on the Rangers fans, it's obviously more of a wind up than a celebration of his faith.
Spot on. It does make me wonder that if they did join the prem whether they would have time for this kind of thing and solely concentrate on their teams as they would be in a more competitive league where they wouldn't get an easy ride most weeks and would be more worried about relegation or euro spots. Wishful thinking probably but worth considering.
They are 2 big fish in a small pond up there with no-one else really to compete with, down here they would have more teams to test themselves and as you say may deter them, but when they play each other, it would be the same bollox. I can also see for the first few seasons being trouble against some English clubs, but it will level out - a bit like when SHA first came up, the first matches were horrible, now it's bad but not as bad, if you get my drift. That said, they can stay up there.
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Agreed. I think eventually they will consume themselves but I dread to think what it will take to make that happen.....or they start smoking weed before the games. Legalise it Salmond! ;)
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To be fair, Rangers don't suddenly become pro-British when they play Celtic. They do constantly fly a Union flag at Ibrox. I know they handed out Union flags to fans in that game against Celtic, which you could argue was partly to annoy the away fans, but it's not like they don't celebrate Britishness at other points.
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As the writer of that Spectator article observed;
"Often confusingly labelled "sectarianism", ethno-religious prejudice, particularly of the anti-Catholic variety, is still alive and (literally) kicking in 2011."
...
In addition to a politician and a QC - albeit both with Celtic FC connections - receiving letter bombs, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic clergyman and an Irish cultural-political organisation have also received bullets and a letter bomb in the post.
This is, of course, in addition to Celtic players Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt - both Northern Irish Catholics - receiving bullets in the post. The choice of targets here is revealing and tells us a lot about the essence of ethno-religious prejudice in Scotland.
A cursory analysis of the targets reveals the common denominators to be one or some of the following combination; high profile Roman Catholic in Scotland, Celtic FC connection, Irish.
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Lennon had loads of grief as a player too, from both a club and country perspective. I also believe MON had problems when he was made Northern Ireland captain, but i didn't hear of him having any problems whilst Celtic boss.
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Lennon had loads of grief as a player too, from both a club and country perspective. I also believe MON had problems when he was made Northern Ireland captain, but i didn't hear of him having any problems whilst Celtic boss.
He and his family had received numerous death threats after he started playing for Celtic but chose to ignore them. NI were due to play Cyprus and a few hours before the game the BBC received a coded death threat from one of the Loyalist paramilitary organisations (LVF?) warning that he shouldn't play or would be killed. It wasn't a vague phone call or hate filled letter. He was advised to withdraw from the squad by the police.
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It's quite possible to be a nationalist without supporting the IRA you know. Some remarkable double standards being shown here.
Ger, you grew up in the south too right? In 25 years I've only been to the North twice. I don't think Celtic supporters who wave the tricolour realsie how apathetic most people in the Republic are about Northern Ireland or Irish unity. Does it annoy you to hear both sets of supporters drag up the past in song? I have no interest in the Celtic/Rangers divide even though a lot of Irish people identify with Celtic (obviously).
As for the upsurge in anti-Celtic/Catholic/Irish attacks in Scotland, I'd imagine it has a lot to do with a 'siege mentality'. The Union is coming under attack (devolution, SNP success, power sharing in Northern Ireland) so there's bound to be a sense of 'what we have we hold' on the part of Loyalists. For them, Celtic/Catholics/the Irish represent the enemy I guess and as has been pointed out in various contributions on this thread Lennon ticks a lot of those boxes!
I still think he doesn't deserve it and that its little to do with his character and everything to do with his ethnicity.
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It's quite possible to be a nationalist without supporting the IRA you know. Some remarkable double standards being shown here.
Ger, you grew up in the south too right? In 25 years I've only been to the North twice. I don't think Celtic supporters who wave the tricolour realsie how apathetic most people in the Republic are about Northern Ireland or Irish unity. Does it annoy you to hear both sets of supporters drag up the past in song? I have no interest in the Celtic/Rangers divide even though a lot of Irish people identify with Celtic (obviously).
As for the upsurge in anti-Celtic/Catholic/Irish attacks in Scotland, I'd imagine it has a lot to do with a 'siege mentality'. The Union is coming under attack (devolution, SNP success, power sharing in Northern Ireland) so there's bound to be a sense of 'what we have we hold' on the part of Loyalists. For them, Celtic/Catholics/the Irish represent the enemy I guess and as has been pointed out in various contributions on this thread Lennon ticks a lot of those boxes!
I still think he doesn't deserve it and that its little to do with his character and everything to do with his ethnicity.
Well said. I think most people in the rest of the UK are bothered either (as you say apathetic), it just in the areas where they live side by side. Having spent a lot of time in Glasgow, it shocked me how bad it is, it's like going back 300 hundred years.
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Well said. I think most people in the rest of the UK are bothered either (as you say apathetic), it just in the areas where they live side by side. Having spent a lot of time in Glasgow, it shocked me how bad it is, it's like going back 300 hundred years.
I live like 80 miles from the border and I've only ever been there twice! My first trip to Belfast was November 2010! Most people in the south think the North's a mess and steer clear. It's sad to think parts of Glawsgow are also a mess because of a conflict that has nothing to do with them!
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Well said. I think most people in the rest of the UK are bothered either (as you say apathetic), it just in the areas where they live side by side. Having spent a lot of time in Glasgow, it shocked me how bad it is, it's like going back 300 hundred years.
I live like 80 miles from the border and I've only ever been there twice! My first trip to Belfast was November 2010! Most people in the south think the North's a mess and steer clear. It's sad to think parts of Glawsgow are also a mess because of a conflict that has nothing to do with them!
I love Belfast, cracking city.
Going to the extreme areas, from both sides of the devide, was mental.
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If you live in Glasgow what else have you got to live for except predjudice.Miserable lives in a wet cold city spiced up by hatred, they cant let it go so they play out a 2 team competition every year and think its important.
Let them get on with it. If Lennon has got any sense he will walk away and find a better life for him and his family.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
A roundabout way of saying Lennon had the 'reaction' coming to him.
Reaction - death threats, bullets in the post, attacks on pitch, being kicked unconscious on street, having his car driven into.
He has had a decent first season too, their points tally has improved from Mowbray's farcical regime.
Lennon might be a bit of an idiot but a bit of perspective wouldnt go astray.
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And to take that standpoint you have to ignore everyone else related to Celtic that have recently been subjected to similar intimidation and attempted murders.
I still find it amazing that something written on a piece of paper (no matter how objectionable) has generated a stronger reaction in some than the attempted murder of a football manager.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
A roundabout way of saying Lennon had the 'reaction' coming to him.
I didn't say that at all, but you carry on thinking it if you want.
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If you live in Glasgow what else have you got to live for except predjudice.Miserable lives in a wet cold city spiced up by hatred, they cant let it go so they play out a 2 team competition every year and think its important.
Let them get on with it. If Lennon has got any sense he will walk away and find a better life for him and his family.
Agree with you about the weather. But apart from that it's a cracking place as long as you stay away form Parkhead and Ibrox.
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Why should waving British flags at a football match in Britain be condemed? There's a difference between celebrating Britishness and being anti-Catholic.
Totally agree there is.
But in the context of Rangers handing out 40,000 flags to their supporters before a game with Celtic, what do you honestly think the intent was? Having a 'Britain Day' or trying to wind up the Celtic fans?
Well, whether they were trying to wind Celtic fans up or not, can Celtic fans really complain about a team waving the flag of the country that both clubs play in? I understand their complaints when Rangers fans start singing songs about William of Orange and the like, but I don't think there's anything wrong with displaying the Union flag.
I suppose it's as others have said, there's a reason they only do it against Celtic.
Anyway, my point was that actions like this should be carefully considered. For instance, there's nothing wrong with Catholic Arthur Boruc blessing himself before a game. But when he does it only infront on the Rangers fans, it's obviously more of a wind up than a celebration of his faith.
Haven't got all the way through the thread but it should be noted (if it hasn't already) that Rangers DO NOT only give out Union flags when playing Celtic. They've done it against Hearts as well this season, for example.
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Neil Lennon ought to ask himself why it is that Celtic have had more successful managers, more 'Celtic-minded' managers, managers at greater times of strife in Northern Ireland and Gordon Strachan, yet none of them have attracted such a constant reaction as him.
A roundabout way of saying Lennon had the 'reaction' coming to him.
Reaction - death threats, bullets in the post, attacks on pitch, being kicked unconscious on street, having his car driven into.
He has had a decent first season too, their points tally has improved from Mowbray's farcical regime.
Lennon might be a bit of an idiot but a bit of perspective wouldnt go astray.
Spot on, BB.
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If you live in Glasgow what else have you got to live for except predjudice.Miserable lives in a wet cold city spiced up by hatred
This is, perhaps, a little unfair. It's not actually that cold here a lot of the time. Maybe "wet but mild city" would be closer to the mark.
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Great support for him by the Celtic fans at the final whistle today.