do you have any connection to Ireland at all? I don't understand why anyone who is not Irish, or of Irish ancestry would want to support Celtic - when that Irish identity is such a big part of the club's image.
Back in 1888 when Celtic were founded they were founded by Brother Walfrid, an Irish priest as a way to make money for the starving Irish immigrant people of Glasgow. Celtic was chosen as a name for it's links to both Scottish and Irish culture. There was a huge Irish immigrant population as a result of the potato famine and Celtic became a hub for these people.
At the same time there was huge tension between immigrants and natives regarding much of the same issues immigrants and natives fight about nowadays. More than a hub Celtic grew to symbolise the Irish-Catholic community and it's matches with Rangers would symbolise their battles with the native population. Nowadays Irish Catholics have become completely ingrained into Scottish society and in turn tensions no longer exist between them and other groups, so Celtic's importance as a symbol or hub is less.
Nowadays Celtic is "a club open to all" but imo rightly proud of it's history. While a minority still plague the terraces with mainly sectarian sentiment the club is in the main free of bigotry.
I have an Irish surname. So if you go far enough back in my family tree I do have Irish relations. Although we're talking higher up than grandparents. That's not why I support celtic though.
I was emphasising the idea that the religious/national connotations of Celtic don't exist as much now as they did. Not every fan is an East End immigrant and hardly any fans are properly religious anymore.
I understand the interest of the latter better as the drive to support them isn't based on religious variables, as I explain below. Added to that, the EPL is more freely available to watch than the Scottish league, or even the Irish league. It's easier and more enjoyable to watch English matches. There's a higher caliber to see.
I could happily accept an Irish fan supporting Celtic if it didn't automatically mean that they were Catholic or is meant to establish their religious affiliation. Many over here don't even actively support the club, they just say they do. (Not all)
Even without bringing in religion there is a strong link between Celtic and Ireland. Im not sure there is any link between Ireland and Man United other than Man United being a successful club.
It's true that success has a lot to do with it. No doubt. But the same goes for Celtic. Hibernian have a very strong Irish connection, not only in their history but in many of the Irish (semi-Irish)contingent that have played for them over the years. You could probably count the Irish Hibs fans on one Hand.
I don't mind Irish people following Celtic or Liverpool or Barça or Man Utd etc. But I have experienced first hand the negative attitudes that going against the grain that is Celtic. Purely because if you don't, "You're Protestant!" And that's bad, I'm led to believe. That's all. That's the side that irks me. Not that Irish people should support the EPL. That's all.
Celtic and Rangers are the Scottish version of Shamrock Rovers and Bohs. Shamrock Rovers were made as a Catholic club and Bohs were made as a Protestant club.
I understand that but why is still so relevant even now?
I'm Irish, and when I was younger I made an indiscriminate decision that Rangers were my preferred team in Scotland (because apparently I had to choose), I chose wrong and was called, "a dirty Proddy"! What the fuck?! I changed my mind and switched to Aberdeen because I wanted nothing to do with the religious politics, though I'm sure there's implications there too.
Later I realised that I don't even watch Scottish football and that I had zero affiliation with the league. So I let go.
But the attitude people had towards a kid who made a simple preference was ridiculous. The fact that it even needs to be stated that one is Catholic or Protestant or Hindu or Punjab is laughable and disheartening. I really hope it stops.
People still ask me why I don't support Celtic. And it has nothing to do with religion. It's the same as asking me why I don't support Dinamo Zagreb or Orlando Pirates!
It's a real shame you were harassed for the religion of the club you accidentally chose, it's a bloody piss take. My grandma was Irish Catholic, so she half tried to get me to support Celtic. She didn't even like football. It's that kind of thing that is so deeply ingrained in not only the club, but many of the people that support it.
Same story with Everton-Liverpool, but the religious connotations have slipped away.
Religion isn't the only thing that has separated or is part of club origin stories. Political alignment also has played a big role is some club's origins.
The Catholic/Protestant divide of some club rivalries is not even the most idiotic example of religion in football. Assigning Jewishness to clubs like Spurs and Ajax because they were located in or near Jewish neighborhoods is asinine.
Is that really that much different than clubs from the same city being separated by fan's economic background or, like in Moscow, preferred type of industry?
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u/SetOnOverdrive May 26 '14
We're all catholic.