HAVE THEY LEARNED ANYTHING? OR IS THE ANTI-CELTIC AGENDA STILL ALIVE?
Celtic’s dramatic league-clinching victory over Hearts should have been one of Scottish football’s defining moments. A title decided under immense pressure. A comeback worthy of champions. A team showing the mentality that has delivered yet another league trophy.
Instead, much of the conversation quickly drifted elsewhere.
The question Celtic supporters should be asking is simple: has the Scottish football media learned anything?
For years we’ve heard complaints about perceived bias, selective outrage and an endless stream of negativity whenever Celtic succeed. Every controversial decision involving Celtic becomes a national debate. Every success is analysed until the achievement itself almost becomes an afterthought.
Supporters were told lessons would be learned. That coverage would become more balanced. That opinion would replace agenda.
Yet here we are again.
Instead of celebrating an incredible title-winning performance, too many familiar voices seemed determined to focus on controversy rather than achievement. The football itself seemed almost secondary.
Whether it’s Ally McCoist, Kris Boyd, Keith Jackson, Tom English, Jim White, sections of the BBC or the Daily Record, many Celtic supporters feel they already know what the narrative will be before a ball is kicked.
That doesn’t mean every pundit or journalist is biased. Criticism is part of football. Celtic should be criticised when they deserve it.
But criticism should apply equally.
When Rangers win, words like character, belief and resilience often dominate the coverage.
When Celtic win, the discussion can quickly shift towards referees, VAR, celebrations or anything that distracts from the achievement itself.
That perception has not appeared overnight. It has built over many years, fuelled by repeated examples that many supporters believe reveal double standards.
The irony is that none of this diminishes Celtic.
If anything, it strengthens the bond between the club and its supporters.
Every title won despite the constant noise feels even sweeter.
Every attempt to downplay success only reminds supporters why Celtic’s achievements deserve recognition on their own merits.
Perhaps that is the biggest lesson.
Celtic do not need validation from pundits or newspaper headlines. History remembers trophies, not television debates.
The Scottish media has a choice.
It can continue chasing controversy every time Celtic succeed, or it can recognise great football when it sees it and apply the same standards to every club.
From where many Celtic supporters are sitting, that lesson still hasn’t been learned.
It’s SCOTLAND …..that’s how it operates…Ignore the bassas
While there is justified frustration with the current Board concerning an apparent inability to communicate (amongst other things), Parkhead‘s recent radio silence’ might, with equal justification, be related to the media’s bloodthirsty ‘gorgefest’ aimed at Celtic when securing 5-in-a row. Until solid facts emerged recently (such as, MON’s appointment; the backroom staff being in place for commencement of training; and now, Ross Grant being in post) individuals in the media have feverishly scrapped over ‘speculation’, ‘links’, unfounded ‘reports’, and even just daft lies). The lessons learned by those in positions of power within Celtic may be that until the Scottish media manages to at least temper the obsessive, anti-Celtic narrative, then expect to be told absolutely nothing. Even the questionable credentials of the present custodians of our Club could not fail to recognise that, when dealing with institutional prejudice in Scotland, enough is finally enough.
TC
While there is justified frustration with the current Board concerning an apparent inability to communicate (amongst other things), Parkhead‘s recent ‘radio silence’ might, with equal justification, be related to the media’s bloodthirsty ‘gorgefest’ aimed at Celtic when securing 5-in-a row. Until solid facts emerged recently (such as, MON’s appointment; the backroom staff being in place for commencement of training; and now, Ross Grant being in post) individuals in the media have feverishly scrapped over ‘speculation’, ‘links’, unfounded ‘reports’, and even just daft lies). The lessons learned by those in positions of power within Celtic may be that until the Scottish media manages to at least temper the obsessive, anti-Celtic narrative, then expect to be told absolutely nothing. Even the questionable credentials of the present custodians of our Club could not fail to recognise that, when dealing with institutional prejudice in Scotland, enough is finally enough.
TC