[mincecfc]

I have to laugh at the fake astonishment at the celtic fans feeling over this from the media. their "shock" that celtic fans dont like Mo Johnston is very transparent.

Who dreamed this insane idea up anyway? was it a brilliant piece of mischief making?

He is the biggest persona non grata in the club's histrory. Its unrealistic to expect us to forgive or forget. Are rangers fans likely to forgive neil simpson any time soon? Will barca fans forgive Figo? This doesnt make them all morons or bigots.

Those who are continually using the fact that its for charity as capital to buy themselves some moral high ground should really sit down and have a bit of a think. Charity is an individual choice and celtic fans have an excellent record when it comes to charitable contributions.

Fans love the club and dont want to hand over money to see the club humiliated and insulted by this odious character. Surely this is understandable. He hurt the club and the fans massively with his treachery.

The overwhelming majority of celtic fans are against the idea of johnston in a celtic jersey and have been branded "bigots" by some lazy, tired hacks for whom "bigot" is one of their favourite words.

Lets just think for a minute. These people are calling the OVERWHELMING majority of Celtic fans "bigots."

Not wanting to see Johnstone make a mug of us all over again and not being willing to hand over cash for the privelege does not make us bigots, nor does it make the majority of celtic fans bad people.

FInally, why should we forgive someone who isnt in the least bit sorry?

Lives can be saved without the presence of maurice johnstone in a celtic top.

Mo, if you are out there and if you really want to play, play the game but play it for rangers. We don't want you and i'm not sorry. It's your own fault. You are a big boy and need to be responsible for your own action.

 

[The Judge]

Where is the love? :broken:

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

It's nothing to do with a dislike for Mo or not. It's about being big enough to put those opinions to one side for a charity event. He signed for Rangers in 1989, how long before people let it go and move on?

Neil Simpson is a different kettle of fish. He didn't swap clubs, he almost ended someone's career because he spat the dummy. If it was an Aberdeen v Rangers game why would he want to where a Rangers shirt? Different circumstances completely. That said though if there was a charity event and his appearance in a Rangers shirt meant raising money for researching a cure a former player at this point in time was dying of, raised money for a centre providing facilities for children with speacial needs or any other cause I thought was worthwhile and could make a difference then I can put my hand on heart and say I'd accept it because I'm bigger than that.

As for Figo, who can say? We'll have to wait more than a decade to see how the Barcelona fans feel about that and if one of their former players in dying and asking for help via a charity event which would figure Figo then I hope by then they would be big enough to help.

Why would the club be humiliated? That would be self persecusion because no one else would bother theit arse. It would be Celtic thinking everyone else was talking about them or thinking something bad about them which is a bit...well, let's not go there. Mo Jo for his part is living in exile in the USA. It's no skin off his nose whether he plays or not but he was willing to give his time to it. Instead all the old bitterness has surfaced instead.

Last night, or the night before, I heard Keith Jackson say on Real Radio that this did have a form of bigotry about it. We all have our own opinions but from my own view I can't see why that was said. It's a rivalry thing for me and nothing to do with religion. The example given of Figo is no different a situation as is Sol Campbell, Alan Smith or Wayne Rooney so I don't go along with the media types who are bringing religion into the equation.

I wish now he hadn't been asked because as I said right at the start all this does is show the Old Firm up in a bad light and confirm what people outsude of the old firm are already thinking. The fact that it did happen though I'll still admit I'm disappointed at the reaction. In my first post I said that it was a minority of Celtic fans that felt this way but since then I've come to learn that it is not a minority at all, alot more than I suspected verging on the majority.

The sad thing is this. We'll all bare grudges until it's too late. I was lucky enough to see Davie Cooper in action. He was a real Ibrox legend. In life though he didn't get the full credit he deserved for sticking with the club even through a very bad period in their history. Like all Old Firm legends when he died their were scarves from both sides of the divide as a mark of respect.

My uncle who was a Celtic supporter made me watch the Jinky story when i was younger. It ws a fight to get me to watch it but eventually I did and I'm glad I did. I have a great respect for Jinky despite the team he played for. He was way before my time but after watching his story I felt I knew what he was all about.

For anyone who doesn't know Motor neurone disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord along which the brain sends instructions in the form of electrical impulses to the muscles. Its cause is not known. Degeneration of the nerve cells leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. This generally occurs in arms or legs but can affect muscles in the face and throat, causing problems with speech. There is currently no cure, and most people with MND die from it within a few years. However, research is underway to understand the causes, and develop a cure.

This is what a Celtic legend has and is living with. This is why he is asking for help. This is why he is so desperate for a cure. This guy is a Lisbon Lion. He's held up high among the Celtic support like a god and rightly so. Every Celtic fan loves Jinky and a few Rangers fans too. This is why I find it so hard to take that there are some who see this not as important in their priority list as Mo Johnston pulling on a Celtic jersey to raise money.

Sadly Coop is no longer with us but Jinky is so support him now.

 

[The Judge]

Based on the testimonies produced so far I'm probably more in line with Chivo than anyone else but am not blind to the views given by other posters. The following article is not identical but does highlight that some fans are unable to follow the Christian principle of forgiveness when they feel a former favourite has wronged them.

No way back!

 

[King_Henrik]

I agree it's not exactly unique for fans to hate players for such a thing but generally the level of hatred would dissipate over time if it was just a "football-related issue". Michael Laudrup, Bernd Schuster, Christian Panucci, Giuseppe Meazza, Roberto Baggio etc etc....There are many players who have played for both sides of a heated rivalry and who haven't had to put up with the levels of hatred that Johnston has had to for nearly 15 years since he left Rangers.

(btw I don't expect Celtic fans to like him or respect him - i wouldn't if it was an ex-Rangers player who did a similiar thing - i'm talking about the level of dislike and hate that he still attracts, which is out of proportion to what he did if it was just a "football related issue")

It's not about him playing or Rangers though, it's the manner in which he signed for them only weeks after his infamous "Celtic are the only club i ever wanted to play for" statement while he was being paraded around Celtic Park wearing the Hoops after supposedly being OUR new signing!

 

[VBI]

I have to ask, if it's not a "purely football issue" then what is it? I've seen people in the papers using the tired old "bigotry" crap, failing to realise it cannot possibly be bigotry. There is nothing sectarian in this situation, there is no way this COULD be bigotry.

Unless Celtic fans have taken on the quality of being bigoted towards whites/catholics? :googly: :googly:

You can't compare this to other derbies, because the Old Firm isn't like other derbies. The depth of feeling goes FAR beyond anything in England, for example.

 

[Teddy Bear]

I have to ask, if it's not a "purely football issue" then what is it? I've seen people in the papers using the tired old "bigotry" crap, failing to realise it cannot possibly be bigotry. There is nothing sectarian in this situation, there is no way this COULD be bigotry.

Unless Celtic fans have taken on the quality of being bigoted towards whites/catholics? :googly: :googly:

For some Celtic fans the signing of Johnston and what he represented as the symbol of the signing policy being broken was the worse thing that could have happened. Not only did they lose out on Johnston but it also took away a plank to beat Rangers with, which for some, was of more importance than the ending of the policy.

Some of them single out Scottish Catholics for abuse if they play for Rangers. Members on here have attempted to justify this in the past for whatever reason, but the fact remains is that players like Neil McCann or Chris Burke have been singled out for extra abuse solely for religious reasons.

 

[King_Henrik]

For some Celtic fans the signing of Johnston and what he represented as the symbol of the signing policy being broken was the worse thing that could have happened. Not only did they lose out on Johnston but it also took away a plank to beat Rangers with, which for some, was of more importance than the ending of the policy.

Some of them single out Scottish Catholics for abuse if they play for Rangers. Members on here have attempted to justify this in the past for whatever reason, but the fact remains is that players like Neil McCann or Chris Burke have been singled out for extra abuse solely for religious reasons.

So you're saying that Celtic fans are all anti-Roman Catholic bigots then?

I'm afraid there's only one club who have the dishonour of that particular mantle in Scotland.

 

[Teddy Bear]

So you're saying that Celtic fans are all anti-Roman Catholic bigots then?

I'm afraid there's only one club who have the dishonour of that particular mantle in Scotland.

No.

I said some Celtic fans single out Scottish Catholics who play (or have played) for Rangers players for extra abuse. Are you saying that Neil McCann or Chris Burke have not been not singled out because of what religious background they are perceived to come from (or "belong" to)?

 

[King_Henrik]

No.

I said some Celtic fans single out Scottish Catholics who play (or have played) for Rangers players for extra abuse. Are you saying that Neil McCann or Chris Burke have not been not singled out because of what religious background they are perceived to come from (or "belong" to)?

I'd have thought that 50,000 of their own supporters singing about being up to their knees in their blood because they happen to be Catholics would be a lot more offensive to the Rangers players in question personally.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

Charity gig. As a number of callers from both sides of the fence have said on the radio and the papers this week- were Celtic not formed on charity? Put yourself or a family member in Jinky's boots and see how much of a footballing decision it would be. If it's still the number one priority then I am worried to be perfectly honest.

 

[Teddy Bear]

I'd have thought that 50,000 of their own supporters singing about being up to their knees in their blood because they happen to be Catholics would be a lot more offensive to the Rangers players in question personally.

That doesn't really answer my question:

Have Neil McCann or Chris Burke been singled out by Celtic fans because of what religious background they are perceived to belong to?

I think this question can be answered without a "youse are worser" sort of response

 

[King_Henrik]

That doesn't really answer my question:

Have Neil McCann or Chris Burke been singled out by Celtic fans because of what religious background they are perceived to belong to?

I think this question can be answered without a "youse are worser" sort of response

I have no idea as to the reason why they've been singled out, and neither do you.

I always assumed it was because they were self-confessed Celtic fans before joining our rivals. Are the likes of Kyriakos, Novo, Vignal et al singled out for their perceived religious background as well then?

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

Rangers fans are outselling Celtic fans by a ratio of 8 to one according to Frank McaAvennie. This was backed up by the organiser too on Real Radio last night. Good to see Rangers fans are putting their hands in their pockets to help out not only Rangers legend Davie Cooper but Celtic idol Jinky Johnstone.

Anyone going to the game? Can't go myself because I have to work tomorrow night. Looking at the players involved we should cuff them. Here are the Rangers stars involved:

Management: John Crieg / Mark Hateley

• 1. Andy Goram
• 2. Dave Macpherson
• 3. David Robertson
• 4. Richard Gough
• 5. Nigel Spackman
• 6. Stuart Mccall
• 7. Mark Walters
• 8. Brian Landrup
• 9. Paul Gascoinge
• 10. Robert Prizz
• 11. Athur Neman
• 12. Ally Mccoist
• 13. Peter Huestra
• 14. Gordon Durie
• 15. Claudia Caniggia
• 16. Graham Roberts
• 17. Bert Konterman
• 18. Fraser wishart
• 19. John Brown

 

[Lightoller]

I'd have thought that 50,000 of their own supporters singing about being up to their knees in their blood because they happen to be Catholics would be a lot more offensive to the Rangers players in question personally.

Judging by several of your posts it seems you have some obsession with blood. What are you, a vampire?

 

[King_Henrik]

Judging by several of your posts it seems you have some obsession with blood. What are you, a vampire?

Yes, but don't tell anyone, it's a secret.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

Judging by several of your posts it seems you have some obsession with blood. What are you, a vampire?

:dielaugh: :thumbsup:

Keep reading some more and you'll find mythology is one of his favourite subjects.

 

[Marco Negri]

Management: John Greig

Oh no.

 

[The Judge]

Love it Marco. :dielaugh:

 

[Angle_eyes]

Just copied this from another board. Didn't realise so few tickets had been sold for the match

A ticket-sale blunder outside Hampden Park before tonight’s Celtic versus Rangers legends game could have left the nominated charities with nothing, according to one of the game’s organisers, Rory Nicoll.

The “Auld Firm” game featuring former players from both clubs was arranged to make money for various charities and worthy causes including Glasgow’s Yorkhill Hospital, the Davie Cooper Centre and research into motor neurone disease.

However, contrary to expectations, there were less than 10,000 inside Hampden with thousands locked out after ticket outlets closed earlier than expected.

An angry Nicoll claims there could now be no money left over once all the bills for organising the match, which ended 1-1, are settled.

He said: “There was a decision made to close the Portakabins early which dictated the ticket sales we had.

“I don’t know if it was because of security fears or just inconvenience but from what we can gather there was as many as 5,000 fans locked out.

“We will do our best to make sure the charities get their money but the bills have got to be paid.

“We had to pay for the police, the security and for the cost of hiring the stadium.

“The running costs of the game have to come first.

“There will be money for the charities if everyone is prepared to waive their fee but I can’t see that happening.

“Our break-even numbers are around 9,500 but we will have to have a look at the accounts and see how we stand.

“We have to look at the errors made and see where that leaves us.

“We are getting all the strips from the players donated to charity so at least we will get some money from that. But we’ll have to see what the figures are.

“It is a shame but we have to give credit for the fans who did turn out on the night, I am sure they enjoyed a great game.”