THE GREEN BRIGADE VS THE CELTIC BOARD: A FIGHT NEITHER SIDE CAN WIN
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
As I said to my father the other day, watching Celtic’s final league game of the season, as James Forrest’s seemingly foretold goal hit the net in the final minute: “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so happy to see Celtic snatch a last-minute draw, at home!”
This same sentiment seemed to echo around the entire stadium. That goal, one which I’m sure we will all remember for many years to come, gave us all a moment of the kind of pure, undistilled joy that only following Celtic can give you.
However, it would be disingenuous to say that everyone in the stadium was 100% happy, 100% of the time on Saturday.
Throughout the first half, and part of the way into the second, there was a prominent banner on display in the North Curve section, seemingly calling for the removal of Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson.
The Green Brigade vs The Celtic Board: When an Unstoppable Force Hits an Immovable Object
The North Curve had already released a strongly worded statement on Friday evening, a rallying call of sorts. It encouraged fellow fans to gather at The Trongate in defiance of requests by Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland and indeed, The Celtic Board.
Thousands of fans duly obliged and it seems a great time was had by all.
However, the statement also criticized the club in a number of areas. A recurring theme was the Celtic Board’s seeming intransigence when asked to engage in any meaningful, productive discussions with any fan groups, not just The Green Brigade and the others in the North Curve collective.
It seems these simmering grievances have now boiled over, with banners directly demanding the removal of board members.
Now, I get why the Green Brigade, The Bhoys and all these other fan groups are annoyed. I would be too in their position.
They do so much positive work for Celtic’s international image, whether its foodbank collections, charity drives, or perhaps most notably their ongoing support for the people of Gaza in their continuing struggle against annihilation.
Yet the minute they put up a banner that might be considered “controversial” or become just that we bit too vocal in their objection to continued price rises and police oppression, the Board sever all ties and restrict their movements.
The irony here is that both sides, to a limited extent, have the same core problem, pride, and the belief that their way is just.
For decades now, the Celtic Board has had a massive PR problem when it comes to fan engagement, particularly with organized fan groups.
They have refused to even discuss the idea of fan representation on the board, they continue to stonewall any attempts by fans to gain more transparency into the fabled “five way agreement” that allowed the new Rangers to enter Scottish football at a level far higher than any other new club.
They continue to raise prices whilst also announcing record profits. This isn’t a good look for the custodians of a club founded on principles of charity and defending the vulnerable in society.
In all the above issues, the Celtic Board’s biggest problem is their tendency to talk “at” people rather than talk with them. There’s a certain arrogance and condescension in most Celtic club statements these days that just rubs many fans the wrong the way.
The Green Brigade aren’t blameless in this regard either. Though recent statements have been more moderate, considered and clearly aimed at the wider fanbase rather than those only aligned with them politically, The Green Brigade also, at times, show this same pridefulness.
We saw it on Saturday with the anti-Nicholson banner.
Again, I get the anger, I get the frustration, but what exactly did they think that banner would achieve?
Michael Nicholson is going nowhere. Any move to displace him by the board now would be seen as a capitulation to fan groups like the Green Brigade.
All that banner has done is probably further entrench Nicholson’s position, and harden the stance of those defending him.
It probably hasn’t gone down well with the more neutral elements of the Celtic support either. I’m guessing they probably felt that Saturday should have been about celebrating the players and their success, and nothing else.
And it allowed clowns like Hugh Keevins to spout their usual rhetoric on a day when the real story should have been James Forrest and his teammates. But don’t worry, I’ll have a whole article dissecting Keevin’s latest guff later today.
Anyway, the more important question is, where do Celtic fans and the board go from here.
Well, ultimately, both sides will have to do the one thing that neither of them wants to do. Set their pride aside, concede some ground, and negotiate in good faith.
A public meeting, where all grievances can be aired and dealt with directly might be a good start. However, getting that to happen is another story.
Both sides are guilty of talking past each other. However, as I said, ultimately this is a fight that neither of them can win. Eventually, some kind of compromise will need to be reached.
We have about 6 weeks break coming up after Saturday’s Cup Final.
I hope both sides use that time wisely, so we can begin our quest for title 56 with everyone on the same side.