A lot has been spoken and written about the Celtic fans since Brendan Rodgers interview after Sunday’s game against St Mirren…
There have been plenty of people outraged by the manager’s comments and plenty like myself who can see where his frustrations are coming from. Everyone has had an opinion on this and most people have made valid points in whichever way they are leaning in the debate but one thing I have noticed cropping up more than a few times (including in the comments section of my last article) is an absolutely nonsensical notion that our fans don’t like Taylor because he’s not ‘one of our own’.
A theory that has popped it’s ugly head
This is a theory that has popped it’s ugly head up many times over the years regarding certain players and I have never believed it in the past, and still don’t until this day. The theory goes that Celtic fans are unforgiving when a player isn’t ‘one of our own’.
Firstly let me try and explain what people mean in regards to this statement, as it can sometimes be complicated. Do they mean someone Scottish or Irish? Do they mean someone who was brought up a Celtic fan? Or do they have to be Catholic? Well from what I can guage it can be a mixture of all three or none at all. It’s definitely a strange one.
I know practically nothing about Greg Taylor’s upbringing
Now before I go on let me tell you I know practically nothing about Greg Taylor’s upbringing, his faith or lack there of, his political beliefs or pretty much anything else about his personal life. I do know like most of you however that at some stage he was part of Rangers youth academy but that’s about the height of it. The reason I know so little is because I genuinely don’t care. All I know is that for the last few years he has turned up game after game for Celtic and gave his absolute all for the club. That will always be good enough for me.
James Forrest – Celtic legend
Greg Taylor isn’t the only player that this weird theory has been used on. People in the recent past have also said this is the reason why Celtic fans at times criticise James Forrest. It’s the reason why, even though he will go down an absolute certified club legend who will retire with many of our clubs records to his name, he still doesn’t have a song sung about him. It must be because he’s not one of us. What a load of nonsense. It has absolutely nothing to do with that.
Scott Brown and Callum McGregor? Jock Stein, Danny McGrain and Kenny Dalglish?
The thing is this theory has so many holes in it, where do you even start? Look at our last two clubs captains, Scott Brown and Callum McGregor? Both hero worshipped by our fans yet rumour has it both grew up as Rangers fans. Look even further back at some absolute club legends who still have their names sung at Celtic Park. Jock Stein, Danny McGrain and Kenny Dalglish were all supposedly Rangers fans when they were younger, or at least from families who supported our bitterest rivals. Now try and tell me again the reason why people aren’t supportive of Greg Taylor?
It’s pretty much universally known that football fans regardless of whatever club they support will always feel a strong connection with someone who grew up like they did supporting that club. They will see in that player someone who is like them, that dreamt about playing for the team they have always loved and are getting to live that dream out in reality.
That video of Luke McCowan
We saw that video of Luke McCowan beaming coming out of the Celtic Park tunnel when being presented as a Celtic player. We could all see ourselves in him and we were happy to see him fulfil his lifetime ambition. The thing is if Luke’s form nosedives will we just ignore it? Not a chance. He will be judged like every other player in the squad.
Liam Scales and Adam Idah
Look at Liam Scales and Adam Idah. Both Irish. Both with Celtic connections in their families and Idah has spoken about supporting Celtic when he was younger many times. Has this helped those pair? Not in the slightest. Scales is one of the biggest whipping boys for our fans in the whole squad and Idah this season isn’t far behind him.
Kieran Tierney
If Kieran Tierney does return to the club and goes through a period where he is rotten game after game and gets dropped for Greg Taylor (if he stays), do you think the Celtic fans will be up in arms if Taylor comes in and plays well? Not a chance. They will want what’s best for the team.
Football fans of all clubs are mostly the same. Look at any club and you will see players who have given everything for the club over the best part of their careers yet don’t get their name song on the terraces. Then a foreign player with a fancy name comes in and the fans worship the ground he walks on until he leaves for more money at a bigger club at the first chance he gets. It’s just the way football is and pretty much always has been.
Anyone trying to peddle the theory that it’s more sinister than that obviously has an ulterior motive.
Conall McGinty
Why r u even talking about this? It’s a non story that u hv tried to make into something. Go n get ur chalk n blackboard and scribble. All u bloggers r wannabe journo’s who make stuff out of nothing
Actually it was comments from readers that triggered the article from Conall.
Greg Taylor’s only “fault” is he’s not Keiran Tierney and that is a fact, not made up
Great article had to be said some fans of other clubs and especially the media would love to portray us as a sectarian club just not what we are about. HAIL Hail.
I remember i was at an away European tye against gladback and calum missed a great chance to win it late on but couldn’t manage, I remember arguing against aye he meant it cause he’s really a hun. If we have fans like that Greg has no chance of a fair shake Greg like calum have been great celtic men long may they continue
Crap! So one daft emotional no doubt drunk fan! We have idiots to but our club and fanbase never cared about this garbage that belongs in govan so shame on you also! One daft fan ! Geez peace! Your obviously one these guys that use that horrible term ” we aww it bad as each other”! That makes huns feel OK about their vile hate difference is they would all hate their player in thst situation! Leave my Great club out this crap!!
You shouldn’t even have wrote this nonsense everyone knows Celtic fans never ever cared about such nonsense! That’s an orc trait that poison of govan oldco and newco live for that crap! Never us never us! Shame on you for even writing this garbage!We any player wear that Jersey we are behind then God even Alfie conn had a song in first week ! Pressely and even that dud Kenny Miller were supported same if not more cause of their background! See its what we do! We love our club and all players that show up and give their all. Now I like Greg Taylor as a player but of course I want better in his poison someone more athletic and faster not exactly a secret but he been a good player for us but not a marauding full back we need, but as I said he been afine player for us so leave this notion fior the cespit of ibrox terrible article way off!
Few typos but you get me! Horrible article so out of place for our Great club could almost been written by a zombie! As as no real Celtic fan would even consider this nonsense and then to mention Jamesie also! Utter garbage!
Beginning think your right on many these bloggers they really are failed or wannabe journos. Its pathetic really is leave our great club out this nonsense!! I choose real fan blogs , won’t read other article from this guy and will tell others also utter crap!
Lol you need to calm down mate. The writer in this blog is defending the fans saying exactly the same as you are that Celtic fans don’t do this sort of things it’s the zombies who love all that bigotory crap. He’s right tho fans of other clubs have brought this shit up on twitter I’ve had a few arguments with them over this in the past