Unity is more than just a word

Celtic Chairman Brian Wilson recently penned a statement in which he called for unity at the club.

Stepping into the role after Peter Lawwell resigned, Wilson insisted he wanted “unity within the stadium to create the best possible environment for the manager and team to launch the fightback.”

However, unity is more than just a word you can throw out and expect it to manifest. There are real fan concerns around structural issues at the club, fan engagement, the banning of fan media and of supporters. Unity cannot happen without some concessions, discussions, or both.

Earlier this week, the Celtic Fans Collective took the opportunity presented by Wilson’s new position and immediate statement to request a meeting to mull over the problems and find a resolution on matters. One such matter was the banning of the Green Brigade. This is particularly pertinent given that the whole group has been banned due to a policy of collective punishment for an alleged assault carried out by a few. Moreover, not a single arrest has been made for assault and the video evidence of the incident , which the club claimed to be damning, actually showed nothing of the incident occurring at all.

Despite Wilson’s call for unity, he has not responded to the Collective’s open letter, nor has there been any dialogue with the Green Brigade; even after Martin O’Neill said that there needing to be a meeting for parties to air their grievances. Additionally, fan media have still not been welcomed back to press conferences.

In terms of the transfer market, a much needed striker has not been brought in ahead of tomorrow’s match. That being the case after the old trick of going back to a former player a year or two after they left us failed, when Kyogo suggested that he wanted to prove himself at Birmingham.

There simply cannot be unity if nothing is resolved. We need actions not words.