Glasgow Rangers

[Ulster's Best]

Good riddance. Hopefully this is the start of a slippery slope for Scottish soccer and Celtic will follow them out of business, starved by the absence of Old Firm rivalry. The football is just a sideshow. Two sets of substandard foreign mercenaries who provide cover for two sets of sectarian bigots to vent their hatred. Why do people from our island travel to watch this?

[Sauvignon Blank]

Good riddance. Hopefully this is the start of a slippery slope for Scottish soccer and Celtic will follow them out of business, starved by the absence of Old Firm rivalry. The football is just a sideshow. Two sets of substandard foreign mercenaries who provide cover for two sets of sectarian bigots to vent their hatred. Why do people from our island travel to watch this?

It seems the 'Loyal' weren't really loyal at all when push came to shove. They didn't want to pay their taxes to HM and duly got caught.
Don't hold your breath regarding Celtic. They are run very well from a financial perspective and won't be taking the Rangers route anytime soon. Different philosophy,ethos and culture at their Club.
The fact most if not all of the SPL teams vetoed Rangers admission back into the league should indicate the antipathy towards the club and it's fans.
And not everyone who travels from 'our Island' to watch them are bigots. Bit of an over generalisation there fella.

[jezzer]

And not everyone who travels from 'our Island' to watch them are bigots. Bit of an over generalisation there fella.

True, it's just the vast majority.

[tones]

And not everyone who travels from 'our Island' to watch them are bigots. Bit of an over generalisation there fella.

True, it's just the vast majority.

They're following Irish sports....

[Ulster's Best]

Celtic and Rangers fans may not all be bigots, and even those from this island who support either club may not all be bigots but a huge lot of people do support one or other for tribal reasons and this rivalry causes no end of trouble up here. It is beyond me why people in this country should feel such allegiance to clubs in another country. Why not support League of Ireland / Irish League soccer - and get your higher level fix if required from the English Premiership.

[nelly the elephant]

Celtic and Rangers fans may not all be bigots, and even those from this island who support either club may not all be bigots but a huge lot of people do support one or other for tribal reasons and this rivalry causes no end of trouble up here. It is beyond me why people in this country should feel such allegiance to clubs in another country. Why not support League of Ireland / Irish League soccer - and get your higher level fix if required from the English Premiership.

A very good question.

[nelly the elephant]

And not everyone who travels from 'our Island' to watch them are bigots. Bit of an over generalisation there fella.

True, it's just the vast majority.

Indeed.

[Sauvignon Blank]

Celtic and Rangers fans may not all be bigots, and even those from this island who support either club may not all be bigots but a huge lot of people do support one or other for tribal reasons and this rivalry causes no end of trouble up here. It is beyond me why people in this country should feel such allegiance to clubs in another country. Why not support League of Ireland / Irish League soccer - and get your higher level fix if required from the English Premiership.

Because football is tribal and politicised in many countries and for the same reason folks up North feel allegiance to Britain or Ireland or the notion of a Northern Ireland.

Don't forget Celtic supporters from Donegal and the North in general have family in Glasgow. Families who emigrated many years ago. Celtic was originally set up(1887) by Irish Marist priests to alleviate poverty and raise funds for the poor immigrant Irish class.The colour of their strip and the cross were expressions of Irish identity.

So to answer your question, it is perfectly logical 'why a huge lot of people would support' them. They may be a British club playing in a scottish league but they are undeniably Irish in character and most importantly history.

Celtic and Rangers are not the reason for the trouble you mention happening up North. The reasons for that are many and varied but i'd venture two for starters......

1. The Ulster Plantation.
2. Segregated schools.

[Ray Mc]

I would also blame 3. Brian Boro

[was never late ref]

Who is/was Brian Boro ............ is he anything to do with middles ...?

[Hornet]

Who is/was Brian Boro ............ is he anything to do with middles ...?

Nah. He's related to Irn Bru.

[Ray Mc]

Nah. He's related to Irn Bru.[/quote]

First cousin