Topic: Graeme Souness brands Celtic 'the unacceptable face of Scottish football'

[Terry de Niro]

Haven't seen this discussed elsewhere, so sorry if it has.

Whilst I'm neither a fan of the Royals nor the Pope, etc..
I think that Rangers also need to sort themselves out and maybe leave their Stone Age views at home?

Graeme Souness brands Celtic 'the unacceptable face of Scottish football' as he claims fans actions have damaged club


The former Rangers boss and radio pundit slammed a section of the Hoops support for disrupting the minute's applause for the Queen and the club for their silence.

Graeme Souness had labelled Celtic “the unacceptable face of football in Scotland” and claims the anti-monarch actions of a section of their support will put off potential major sponsors.

In a hard-hitting speech, he also slammed the club’s silence over disrupting tributes to the Queen. The former Rangers boss and talkSPORT pundit hit out at the Hoops fans who chanted “if you hate the Royal Family clap your hands” and unveiled banners with the same message during a minute’s applause for Her Majesty before Sunday’s Scottish Premiership defeat to St Mirren.

Self-proclaimed royalist Souness said: “Whatever I say on this people will say they expect that because I was employed by Glasgow Rangers and I’m a Rangers fan. But you try to stand back a bit and the eyes of the world were on this country in the last 10 days. Celtic now have a major problem because if you’re a major company looking to sponsor a team in Britain or Scotland, would you consider Celtic any more?

“Not at all. And by the decision-makers at Celtic being silent on this matter they’re compounding the problem. This is not just a talking point of Scotland - it’s a talking point throughout the world. They have shot themselves in the foot big time. It is a minority who are guilty of this but also a minority that are damaging the brand of Celtic - synonymous with being the first British team to win the European Cup, great success and an absolute institution in Scotland - beyond belief.

“If you’re a Rangers fan it’s happy days. They want the silence to continue. They’re (Celtic) shooting themselves in the foot. They should have been out days ago condemning this. And for everyone who doesn’t like Celtic the music is brilliant and want it to keep going.

“In the eyes of the world, Celtic are now the unacceptable face of football in Scotland due to a minority of fans. The eyes of the world were on Great Britain and I have to stress it’s a minority. I have pals who are Celtic fans and are condemning this so why aren’t the club?”

Show host Jim White added: “We have asked Celtic not once but twice if they’re going to say anything about it but they haven’t even responded.” And fellow pundit Simon Jordan added: “You can’t legislate for the hearts and minds of some of your football fans that come and support your team but as a club you can exhibit a better code of conduct than Celtic have done which is come out and say ‘we think this is poor, we don’t support their views’.

“I’m a bit perplexed as to why Celtic wouldn’t want to do that. We know it’s steeped in historic feelings about the monarchy but come on.”

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/graeme-souness-brands-celtic-the-28036589

[Macphisto80]

“In the eyes of the world, Celtic are now the unacceptable face of football in Scotland due to a minority of fans."

The eyes of the world? Which eyes? Do they belong to the parts that the Monarchy invaded and colonized? I'm sure they give a fuck, Graham. Get over yourself.

He can't half help talk absolute bollocks at times.

[Flaccido Dongingo]

Celtic fans are by and large the same political makeup as Liverpool fans, hate the Tories and the Establishment, did Graeme Souness condemn condemn the Liverpool fans when they booed the National Anthem?, fuck off Graeme, not everyone likes the Monarchy.

[killer-heels]

What a load of shite there by Souness.

[Elisha S]

Souness exposing himself as a bit of a sectarian cu.nt with those comments. Not that Celtic fans will give a flying fu.ck what a Rangers supporter thinks.

[Barneylfc∗]

He's had a complete mate here hasn't he 

I guess he was up in arms when his mate Andy Goram was knocking around with terrorists on the Shankill Road and had a shrine to them in his home 

[Son of Spion]

Souness is only half right.

If he'd have said Celtic and Rangers, then he'd have had a point. Both are as bad as each other.

[classycarra]

Souness is only half right.

If he'd have said Celtic and Rangers, then he'd have had a point. Both are as bad as each other.

yep. its 2022 and its mad the way they go on.

Souness exposing himself as a bit of a sectarian cu.nt with those comments. Not that Celtic fans will give a flying fu.ck what a Rangers supporter thinks.

Did I miss something subtle? what's he said about religion there?

[Skeeve]

Did I miss something subtle? what's he said about religion there?

Think that was just by implication since he's only chosen to single out half of the problem with scottish football, or probably slightly under 50% of the problem since the rest of the clubs have at least a little responsibility too due to not standing up to those two for so long, it is not like the glasgow clubs have anywhere else to go after all.

[G Richards]

It’s a weird one. I believe Celtic fans have damaged their club through this. To what degree, remains to be seen.

With that said, Scottish football has become an irrelevant backwater, and it has been for years. As such, I’m not sure this is worth bothering with.

[Bullet500]

Souness shouldn't be on TV in 2022.

[rossipersempre]

Souness shouldn't be on TV in 2022.

He's getting increasingly controversial and embarrassing at times, but I'd still rather watch him and the various lot on RTE have a heated debate (even if they're all equally gobshites) than the utterly nauseating panel of Lineker, Jenas, Richards et al you see on MOTD and Carragher/Neville/Ferdinand on Sky.

[ScouserAtHeart]

He's started writing for the Daily Mail recently as well

[Jack_Bauer]

He's started writing for the Daily Mail recently as well

Great career move that Graeme

[stewil007]

He's started writing for the Daily Mail recently as well

And appearing alongside Simon Jordan and the other one on Talksport on a monday morning.

[stoa]

“In the eyes of the world, Celtic are now the unacceptable face of football in Scotland due to a minority of fans."

The eyes of the world? Which eyes? Do they belong to the parts that the Monarchy invaded and colonized? I'm sure they give a fuck, Graham. Get over yourself.

He can't half help talk absolute bollocks at times.

Haha... Reading that article you get the feeling the whole time that he massively overestimates how much interest there is in Scottish football or football in general in connection with the Queen's passing. The media in most country are more interested in what jewellery Kate, Megan and other female members of the royal family were wearing. No one really gave a fuck about Celtic fans doing whatever they did in the minute's applause. In fact, this article is probably the first time I've heard of it (not living in the UK). I might have read some passing comment about it in the monarchy thread, but that's about it. No one in Europe and probably elsewhere in the world cares about that. It might be brought up when the issue of the monarchy (and possibly abolishing it) is discussed (as an example of how not everyone is in favour of having a Monarchy). It's a bit like how English/British media and some of the Brexit folks are believing that the EU is out to get them because of Brexit whenever something happens that's a disadvantage for the UK, but is just a result of leaving the EU. No one here really gives a fuck about Brexit anymore.

[Jack_Bauer]

And appearing alongside Simon Jordan and the other one on Talksport on a monday morning.

I actually don't mind Simon Jordan

[BER]

Graeme needs to man up, all this because they sang "if you hate the royals, clap your hands"? Thought it was funny and pretty mild considering the history.

[TepidT2O]

He's getting increasingly controversial and embarrassing at times, but I'd still rather watch him and the various lot on RTE have a heated debate (even if they're all equally gobshites) than the utterly nauseating panel of Lineker, Jenas, Richards et al you see on MOTD and Carragher/Neville/Ferdinand on Sky.

His overt support for gay rights is unmatched by any other pundit….

So I think he’s more right than wrong

[KillieRed]

Souness is only half right.

If he'd have said Celtic and Rangers, then he'd have had a point. Both are as bad as each other.

Is the correct answer. Celtic fans forays into political issues are often embarrassing misguided, but everything they do is just to wind up their next door neighbours who respond in kind. Both sets of the most extreme supporters are pathetic children who only function well to divide & rule the Scottish working class. As for Rangers; there’s a reason they’re known as Scotland’s Shame. Perhaps Souness imagines they’re universally respected around the world, it’s certainly not the case at home.

[KillieRed]

Think that was just by implication since he's only chosen to single out half of the problem with scottish football, or probably slightly under 50% of the problem since the rest of the clubs have at least a little responsibility too due to not standing up to those two for so long, it is not like the glasgow clubs have anywhere else to go after all.

It’s difficult to stand up with the perpetual boot on your neck, but we’ll done you on your victim blaming.

[Coolie High]

What a load of shite there by Souness.

[campioni]

Is this the same "self-proclaimed royalist" Graeme Souness that received money from Rangers through the tax-evading EBT scheme, keeping money that should've been paid to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs?

[ScottishGoon]

Is this the same "self-proclaimed royalist" Graeme Souness that received money from Rangers through the tax-evading EBT scheme, keeping money that should've been paid to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs?

Doubt that, that scheme didnt get used until the Advocaat era, so well after Souness time, unless he got paid for something else other than manager.

[Flaccido Dongingo]

Is the correct answer. Celtic fans forays into political issues are often embarrassing misguided, but everything they do is just to wind up their next door neighbours who respond in kind. Both sets of the most extreme supporters are pathetic children who only function well to divide & rule the Scottish working class. As for Rangers; there’s a reason they’re known as Scotland’s Shame. Perhaps Souness imagines they’re universally respected around the world, it’s certainly not the case at home.

"Embarrassing misguided", I'd have thought anyone supporting LGBT rights, support refugees, and have always shown solidarity with the apartheid in Palestine was the polar opposite of "misguided".

[campioni]

Doubt that, that scheme didnt get used until the Advocaat era, so well after Souness time, unless he got paid for something else other than manager.

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/14421335.find-out-why-graeme-souness-received-his-controversial-30000-rangers-ebt-payment/

[KillieRed]

"Embarrassing misguided", I'd have thought anyone supporting LGBT rights, support refugees, and have always shown solidarity with the apartheid in Palestine was the polar opposite of "misguided".

My point is: why are they doing it in that forum at all? I’m talking specifically about the green brigade lot. Sure they get their message out, but then it looks like all of their supporters hold the same beliefs. I happen to agree with a lot of their left-leaning positions, but I don’t think the football stadium is the place unless it directly involves their club or supporters. I also believe they mostly take stances in a performative way simply to wind up their ugly step-sisters, yet they can’t see that they’re in a “war” with people who are exactly like them.

[ScottishGoon]

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/14421335.find-out-why-graeme-souness-received-his-controversial-30000-rangers-ebt-payment/

I stand corrected. I never knew he did work during that period. Thanks.

[ScottishGoon]

"Embarrassing misguided", I'd have thought anyone supporting LGBT rights, support refugees, and have always shown solidarity with the apartheid in Palestine was the polar opposite of "misguided".

Perhaps how they share those beliefs are a bit misguided then. Singing IRA songs, especially down in places like Manchester that the IRA bombed, vandalising areas in the lead up to Hampden because Israel were playing Scotland, hanging effergies from the roof of Celtic Park etc. And yes, Rangers fans can be just as bad.

[Son of Spion]

My point is: why are they doing it in that forum at all? I’m talking specifically about the green brigade lot. Sure they get their message out, but then it looks like all of their supporters hold the same beliefs. I happen to agree with a lot of their left-leaning positions, but I don’t think the football stadium is the place unless it directly involves their club or supporters. I also believe they mostly take stances in a performative way simply to wind up their ugly step-sisters, yet they can’t see that they’re in a “war” with people who are exactly like them.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were plenty of Celtic fans who were embarrassed by what happened. Even if they are no fans of the monarchy / Queen. I'm no fan of them either, but I thought what a big portion of Celtic fans did there was horribly undignified and classless. Just as, I might add, I felt the very same about the few clowns who disrupted the Anfield silence too.

I'm more in line with the general politics of Celtic than I am Rangers, but the actions of those fans did their club no favours at all.

I agree with your last point. It's all very Horseshoe Theory. In belief the two fanbases like to take polar opposite stances, yet their actions are actually one and the same. Neither come out smelling of roses and neither can claim any kind of moral high ground. Both just come over as horribly classless, bitter and twisted. Souness had a valid point, but he forgot to name both clubs rather than just Celtic. They are the two sides of the one coin.

[Terry de Niro]

Is the correct answer. Celtic fans forays into political issues are often embarrassing misguided, but everything they do is just to wind up their next door neighbours who respond in kind. Both sets of the most extreme supporters are pathetic children who only function well to divide & rule the Scottish working class. As for Rangers; there’s a reason they’re known as Scotland’s Shame. Perhaps Souness imagines they’re universally respected around the world, it’s certainly not the case at home.

Is correct.
I have been to 2 old firm matches, at Ibrox and Celtic Park.
I was invited by 2 different friends, 1 Rangers the other Celtic fans.
Stood in the home end in both grounds and found the whole experiance rather sad from both sets of fans.

[FlashGordon]

How people can't get their head around why Celtic fans may have been a bit disrespectful towards the Queen of Great Britain absolutely baffles me 

[Son of Spion]

How people can't get their head around why Celtic fans may have been a bit disrespectful towards the Queen of Great Britain absolutely baffles me 

I'm sure pretty much everyone understands why they were disrespectful. It's just that not everyone agrees that it actually did them or their cause any favours.

I don't think the arsehole or two that ruined the Anfield silence did us much good either, and I loathe the monarchy and the establishment that bows and scrapes to it.

It's possible to agree with a thought or feeling but still disagree with a resultant action.

[FlashGordon]

I'm sure pretty much everyone understands why they were disrespectful. It's just that not everyone agrees that it actually did them or their cause any favours.

I don't think the arsehole or two that ruined the Anfield silence did us much good either, and I loathe the monarchy and the establishment that bows and scrapes to it.

It's possible to agree with a thought or feeling but still disagree with a resultant action.

Not sure they were doing it to further any cause, just a show of disrespect to a position/person who for long enough showed 'disrespect' to people like me.

I'm using the word disrespect to keep things civil, I could use a lot worse.

[Son of Spion]

Not sure they were doing it to further any cause, just a show of disrespect to a position/person who for long enough showed 'disrespect' to people like me.

I'm using the word disrespect to keep things civil, I could use a lot worse.

As I said, though, I think everyone knows why they did it. ''Cause'' might have been the wrong word, but the bottom line is it did them no real favours. In essence, it comes over as disrespectful people disrespecting other disrespectful people. Basically, a sad, sorry sight that further compounds division.

I hated a couple of ours disrupting the silence at Anfield. We are better than that, and 99.9% attending on the night proved it too. Sadly, 100% of Liverpool fans will now suffer the ''well you booed the Queen, so we'll boo your Hillsborough'' shouts everywhere we go, because of that 0.01%. 

Decency and dignity can attract green shoots of sympathy and empathy. Hate simply attracts more hate in return, and on it goes...

[ScottishGoon]

Not sure they were doing it to further any cause, just a show of disrespect to a position/person who for long enough showed 'disrespect' to people like me.

I'm using the word disrespect to keep things civil, I could use a lot worse.

Can I ask what you to embellish this? I'm a Scottish Rangers fan but like to hear all views.

[FlashGordon]

As I said, though, I think everyone knows why they did it. ''Cause'' might have been the wrong word, but the bottom line is it did them no real favours. In essence, it comes over as disrespectful people disrespecting other disrespectful people. Basically, a sad, sorry sight that further compounds division.

I hated a couple of ours disrupting the silence at Anfield. We are better than that, and 99.9% attending on the night proved it too. Sadly, 100% of Liverpool fans will now suffer the ''well you booed the Queen, so we'll boo your Hillsborough'' shouts everywhere we go, because of that 0.01%. 

Decency and dignity can attract green shoots of sympathy and empathy. Hate simply attracts more hate in return, and on it goes...

I don't think people should refrain from showing their justified antipathy towards something just on the off chance some bellends are going to disrespect you.

My point above was a general one, not in reference to Hillsborough. I'm leaving Hillsborough out of my response as I'm not from the city and don't know anyone personally affected so it's not my place to say.

[FlashGordon]

Can I ask what you to embellish this? I'm a Scottish Rangers fan but like to hear all views.

I'm Irish, if you need a further explanation that's on you not me.

[Son of Spion]

I don't think people should refrain from showing their justified antipathy towards something just on the off chance some bellends are going to disrespect you.

My point above was a general one, not in reference to Hillsborough. I'm leaving Hillsborough out of my response as I'm not from the city and don't know anyone personally affected so it's not my place to say.

I suppose a lot depends on whether we are happy to be part of entrenching a problem further or trying to solve it.

To start resolving things someone has to have the guts to rise above it and abandon the ways that are proven unworkable.

All we've seen in the last week or so is further entrenchment of division.

However, I fully understand your position on this and have sympathy for it. I don't walk in your shoes, so I'll leave it there.

[FlashGordon]

I suppose a lot depends on whether we are happy to be part of entrenching a problem further or trying to solve it.

To start resolving things someone has to have the guts to rise above it and abandon the ways that are proven unworkable.

All we've seen in the last week or so is further entrenchment of division.

However, I fully understand your position on this and have sympathy for it. I don't walk in your shoes, so I'll leave it there.

In my opinion it is the people holding all the power who need to offer the olive branch, not sure where offering an olive branch gets the downtrodden.

I totally understand where you're coming from and in a perfect world there would be no need for anyone to show disrespect to anyone else, but we don't live in one unfortunately.