CULTURAL SHIFTS: CHANGING TIMES FOR CELTIC AND RANGERS
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
Celtic enjoyed a good weekend on the pitch, whilst events off it also gave me cause for hope.
The Right Kind of Statements
Over the course of the weekend, both Celtic and Rangers issued statements. They were however, greatly contrasting in their nature and their intended targets.
Celtic issued a pledge to conduct a full and independent investigation into allegations by hundreds of fans of police mistreatment.
Meanwhile, over at Ibrox, for the second time in as many weeks, there was a plea from the board, asking fans to behave themselves.
Steps in the Right Direction
Both of these statements deserve praise, even if the latter was borne out of financial incentive rather than moral imperative.
What is most significant however is that the statement from Ibrox opted to boldly go where no statement has gone before.
It directly called out Sectarian singing and chants and demanded that they stop.
The Differing Goals of Celtic and Rangers
For Celtic, the goal of the statement was to reassure fans that the club isn’t being passive in dealing with a very serious issue. For Rangers however, the tone is one of confrontation.
Maybe, just maybe, the penny has finally dropped at Ibrox that far-right bigots like the Union Bears are simply more trouble than they are worth.
Takeover Concerns
Certainly, any progress on the proposed American takeover of Rangers, which still remains entirely in the realm of hearsay and conjecture, seems to hinge on the board herding out the hatemongers.
I don’t envy their task, but it’s one that is long overdue.
It’s also one that, I am sure will meet with a significant amount of resistance from a large portion of the Ibrox fanbase.
Diverging Paths
The fair-minded Rangers out there (yes, they do exist), know that it’s a case of evolve or die (again).
The only way this takeover could possibly work to the benefit of those supposedly behind it, is if there is a massive cultural change at Ibrox.
I want to believe that could happen. All of Scotland would benefit if it did. Don't hold your breath though.
We’ve Been Here Before, Sadly
Unfortunately, history suggests that it won’t. Rangers had the chance in 2012, with a new club, and new owners.
They had the chance to cast away all the hate and a completely fresh start to relaunch, free of the baggage and supremacist attitudes that ultimately led the old club to self-destruction.
Instead, we got even more hate, more anger, and more resentment.
Like anyone with a toxic addiction, those hooked on hatred at Ibrox blamed everyone but themselves for the problem they created, and perpetuated for over a hundred years.
Celtic Move Forward, Regardless
I am genuinely hopeful that Celtic’s statement on Friday night, coupled with the firm but de-escalatory language from Fans Against Criminalization could lead to new era of cooperation between fans and the club.
Time will tell if this comes to pass.
In the meantime, will Rangers evolve, or will their fascist fanbase scare away yet another potential savior?
I think it’s probably the latter, but it’ll be fun to watch regardless.
