Kevin McLaughlin – “It’s always great to see how opinions differ – I agree with the comments against the booing but Fergus was no angel and wasn’t immune from criticism. Wim Jansen was given far more resources than Tommy Burns to buy the players that Burns had identified – Burley, Lambert, Reiper etc. Burns also was denied the opportunity to sign the likes of Colin Cameron, Neil McCann and an Italian playmaker who’s name escapes me … Allegedly after McCann had agreed the funds. He still saved us though, Fergus.”
Mick Doran – “He was booed from some due to his lack of spending in the transfer market .”
Michael Johnston – “Have to say Fergus McCann was some businessman – it did not mean you had to like him !”
Ross Carroll – “I think McCann was a business who was very cold, ruthless and focused. He sacked TB, he sacked Wim the Tim, he employed Jock Brown, he didn’t invest in the team after we stopped 10 in a row. All of the above are reasons why Celtic fans were never universally won over by him. Also, the media did their best to portray him in a negative light causing further division amongst our support.”
Kevin Cherry – “Got to admit least you knew what you were getting with Fergus McCann. Never bullshitted -said what he wanted to do with the club, team, stadium and the debt!!! He made mistakes, ie jock Brown,Tommy Burns and penny pinching on signings, but at least he left his calling card on Jim Farry who if he had done his job fairly , we would have won the league in ’96.”
Cary Griffin – “I didn’t boo him, but I do believe that the people that did boo him believed the utter guff which was feed to them in the papers, which we all know now was being control by Sir Minty Moonbeans – pretty simple brainwashing really .”
Macky Makatak – “He did what he set out to do . Can’t deny that.”
Peter McKenzie – “After his intervention and his transparent business plan I have always been a fan and grateful to wee Fergus. I have stated for years that he is such an important part of our great history that there should be some sort of statue at Celtic Park.”
Robert Donnelly – “Fergus was booed because of what he did to Tommy Burns, simple fact was Tommy would not leave quietly he left by the front door. I believe if the board had a little more insight and backed the manager a little more than they did, we would have stopped them a lot sooner. That’s why I booed him and for that reason only. In hindsight he was the man that changed the direction of our club and I will be forever grateful to the man now.”
Daniel Birrell – “The fans then in my opinion were not as educated on club finances as they are now. I didn’t boo that day I was young but my dad did and he told me it was because of ‘the biscuit tin’ etc. Also the sacking of Tommy Burns.”
Edward Anthony Coyle – “I can’t honestly remember, it’s all a bit fuzzy but I did have a few bones of contention with him. I seem to remember many articles regarding TB and Fergus, then later Wim. He made a few mistakes but I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him. I’m sure he really wasn’t fussed either way.”
Thomas Cochrane – “Get a statue up for him. I bought the shares, season book,all the stuff …..Those were the days I can tell you. Never to be forgotten! We are where we are to-day because of the guy. Ghod bless him,Tell you what we booed that big fat”Jock Brown every chance we got!”
1998
Perhaps you should alter the date on your headline?
At the risk of upsetting someone about religion, I think that when I heard the boos at Fergus in August 1998 (not 1988) I understood a little better the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in that people will want to destroy the thing that saves them! It has to be stressed however that there were more cheers than boos that day. It was though a sad day, almost on a parallel with the day in the Jungle in 1975 when some cretins (again I stress a minority) turned on Paul Wilson (admittedly having a poor game) for the colour of his skin.
All the more reason we should have a statue of the lad in front of the stadium
Such an emotive subject by fergus
I remember like it was yesterday fair play to fergus but the other people involved as well deserve such plaudits.
Our club and foundations and forefathers are Irish and to quote “the rebels have won ” is so ironic and a slap in the face for everyone but especially the people of Ireland and it’s descendants.
29th of June 1998 St Patrick’s v Celtic champions league qualifiers at half time the other end of the main stand our fellow Celtic irish supporters display a banner the size of half the opposite stand We are IRISH mr mcann not Bigots and that says everything completely.
The disgrace that the way Tommy Burns was treated to me it doesn’t resonate with the club I love especially a man that has respect dignity and decency by the million fold and lived and breathed the cause.
It’s not the way Celtic and it’s ethics and morals are all about so Tommy deservedly walked out the front door.
Wim Jansen wasn’t looking for much more than he did the first season fergus should of listened to the immortal Mr Jensen and met in the middle for he deservedly been given that right but also the key’s to parkhead.
Instead he showed no respect and I run Celtic not you as for budgets fergus says no.
Fergus stayed longer than he promised the supporters Brian Dempsey and Keane.
Jock Brown.
The 3 amigos and others were promised better deals hands shook if they did the business on the park after a season fergus wasn’t a man of his word.
Fergus Mccann deserves respect and our compassion for saving Celtic .
But everything all about out our clubs history heritage identity morals treating people with respect fairness integrity at all times.
But most of all compassion for your fellow man and woman and offer kindness empathy with the plight of of people and life’s struggles given people hope faith and empathy yo all that the need a helping hand or charities close to brother maris our foundations forefathers.
Humility empathy and decency for all that’s what Celtic are about always will be everyone a club for all.