Im not angry, just somewhat bemused. Ill leave Celtic until the end and get the other stuff out of the way first.
I have watched Home and Away religiously since Tom and Pippa arrived in the Bay in their van back in 1987. Though being only 6 years old at the time I can recall them having a run in with Donald Fisher, who stepped out in front of them, and the late (and dearly missed) Tom Foster purposefully drove into a puddle, in the process splashing Flathead and so my love affair began.
Myself and Rocko have a few shared musical interests but not an outrageous amount by any stretch of the imagination. I wouldnt have listened to a lot of the stuff he listens to and vice versa. I bought We Are Scientists and Bloc Party tickets over the past few weeks and never even consulted with Rocko! I might do that now actually Rocko, do you approve? (Please say yes, please say yes. Although I know he isnt that big into the English indie scene or many of these American upstarts. What have I done? I may have started listening to something Rocko doesnt. Best burn the tickets) You fools! By the way we both like Damien Dempsey and I believe Rocko and the missus have tickets for Vicar Street in December and I do too farmer, is that alright with you?
Robbie Keanes performance on Sunday explains why I swear by my captain. Simply magnificent I dont have to say anything else really but he destroyed Ferreira in the first half (he was taken off at half time). Boulharouz (spelling?) came on and was then taken off after 67 minutes such was the chasing Keano gave him. The boy was sensational. He is also Irelands record goal scorer at the age of 26 having scored critical goals in a side without a consistent play maker to create chances for him. I dont really see the issue here. Hes a national treasure and I can make up my own mind on that. I dont necessarily jump to criticise him when one of the Oirish tabloids stitches him up or some idiot like Dion Fanning or Gerry McDermott has a pop at him. Again, does this explanation suffice?
As for Celtic I really dont see tommymoores point on the emotional attachment issue. Its certainly far from the bollox he purports it to be. Of course an Irish person can feel an emotional attachment to a team like Celtic who were set up by an Irish person as an outlet for impoverished Irish immigrants in Glasgow and count amongst their core support 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th generation Irish people in Scotland and thousands more here in the land of its founding fathers. Celtic is more than a football club to these people and also thousands more among the Irish diaspora abroad as Tommy Burns said Celtic is a people and a cause. Its about standing up and making something of yourself, not giving into to the prejudices you experience in your day to day life and being open and welcoming to those you meet along the way. Not everyone is Celtic minded but that doesnt prevent Celtic from inviting them to share in the Celtic way of life - Celtic have never had a sectarian signing policy but equally have always remained true to its Irish roots. This manifests itself in the Irish songs that are sung at the ground, the Irish players lining out at all levels for the club and the clubs presence in Ireland via supporters clubs, supporter functions, club shops etc. As a proud Irish man I make no apology for supporting a team, a club, an institution, a shining example, a beacon of Irish success and achievement. I make absolutely no apology at all.
As for Manchester City I have explained my support for them. Similarly I have said that as I have grown older I have realised that there is no discernable bond between me and the club like there is with Celtic. Sure I like individual players and still watch them play regularly but it does not run as deep as Celtic. Again, I dont see the issue here. Anyone who claims that this Celtic thing is a recent thing is wide of the mark. Not that I need to justify myself I feel I must based on these unprecedented attacks! I always watched Celtic when I was a child in Wexford. Already Ive mentioned the New Years Day game in the 1 in a row season. I watched Paul Byrne score a volley in a 1-1 draw at Ibrox. I watched Rangers win 3-0 at Celtic Park to seal the League as Hugh Dallas disgraced himself! I watched Jorge Cadete have a legitimate goal disallowed at Ibrox and then Erik Bo Johannsson score the winner from the resulting counter attack. Now I am Dublin based allowing me to watch games every week, like on Saturday, that I would not have been in a position to see before. Similarly, the internet is a valuable resource as is the cash I earn in my job that ensures I can now afford to travel to games.
To all the doubters I have one final thing to say (as Gordon Strachan screamed to Paul Hartley when the winner went in on Saturday): Get it right fookin up ye. I am proud to support Celtic.