Yesterday St Johnstone completed an amazing cup double.
In other news, Perth was not wrecked by their fans.
This was my instant reaction to their historic win.
Of course, if it had been Sevco lifting the cup at Hampden, then you know what would have ensued.
It would’ve been time for many in the mainstream to deploy the “Old Firm shame” trope.
Last weekend the only folk in George Square with a Celtic affiliation were some members of the emergency services who were trying to keep order and treat the wounded.
When the Ibrox klanbase are singing about wading in Fenian Blood or inviting the multi-generational Irish community in Scotland to go home to post-Famine Ireland, the Fitba Fourth estate have a useful term:
Sectarianism.
However, the dam has been breached.
This piece today by Stuart Cosgrove contains an analysis that has been regularly espoused on this site since 2008.
Here is a key excerpt:
Another issue that began to unravel at the seams this week, is the deceptive use of the word “sectarianism” a catch-all concept that masks anti-Irish racism and anti-Catholic bigotry. This week several third-sector organisations broke ranks and dropped the use of the word sectarianism. A time has come when this lazy generalisation is no longer precise enough.
For the avoidance of doubt, if you are still deploying the “S” word after the fascist street theatre of May 15th, then you really are part of the problem.
I’ve met Hugh a couple of times covering matches, and I even once lent him my dongle at Hampden after a League Cup final.
As we say here in Donegal, “I would have him for a neighbour”.
A decent sort.
There’s no harm in him, but he needs to get with the programme on this issue, especially given his heritage, as he outlined in the Daily Radar piece.
In the aftermath of the George Square riot, it is now a time for people of influence to act with good authority.
Step forward, this man.
Today Scottish government minister Humza Yousaf once more used a previously verboten term in official Scotland:
Anti-Irish racism.
The good folk at Call It Out were correct to point out the significance of this moment.
Despite the usual suspects trying to deflect with planted stories in the past week, I think Mr Cosgrove is correct.
We HAVE reached a tipping point, and there is no going back now.
Scotland has a problem with anti-Irish racism, and it is mainly centred on Ibrox.
Finally, it has been recognised.
That means that solutions can now be found.
Hint: that doesn’t include making excuses for the Ibrox klanbase.
They’re the problem.
Turning them into decent citizens will be a challenge for everyone in modern Scotland, but I believe in change.
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Credit where credit’s due, you have been banging on about the lack of acknowledgement in the media and the SG towards Irish racism for years, I most certainly think you’ve got through to them, take a bow Phil.
Not surprising that certain elements of Scottish media have recently made reference to Mark Walters’ experiences here. Another convenient deflection. Of course the racist invective he received was awful. That said, he must’ve been aware of the inherent bigotry that’s always existed at Ibrox. Certainly would’ve had knowledge about the sinister background to ‘Billy Boys’ chant-and it’s KKK connection. Tens of thousands singing it every other week. Selective memory issue here.. Have to wonder how he perceived the countless other xenophobic songs from the ‘fans’ in Glasgow’s Deep South. Not to mention certain team mates toxic repertoire in the after match dressing room.
Yes Phil, there’s thousands thinking, no praying, your right. Your previous article mentioned tattoos and the only only way to totally remove them is by laser. I feel it may be the same for this stain on Scottish society, an unpleasant analogy yet, somehow it seems so very apt.
Their focal point needs taken in hand and told in no uncertain terms told; you will behave like every other club, no favouritism, no excuses NO MORE nonsense.
I’m not gonna get too excited but, for the sake of All who have felt their hatred well; I hope I’m very wrong.
Thanks for your slant, Cheers.
Perhaps The Rangers could come out and explain to the public and their own fans the terms of reference of their “anyone everyone” initiative because it doesn’t seem very clear?
This is a huge moment, it’s finally got over it’s just football.
Even non football people have had enough and won’t tolerate it.
Ibrox is in a real dilemma, sort it out or risk being cast as social parihas, but they can’t sort it out, it’s who they are.
I can see civil war between the true football fans in the club and board along with their section of fans.
There is a need to focus upon the undemocratic processes perpetuated by the OO, over the past three centuries into the present day, that continues to drive this hate filled criminality. We know how it works through lodge centre discussions disseminated into right wing community criminal activity simultaneously buffering the OO through application of their standard scripted ‘hangers on’ responses.
Their power base will be washed away in an independent Scotland through removal of ancient discriminatory legislation which the OO and their ‘hangers on’ believe promotes and protects their militiaesque activities.
Their power base will be strengthened and pandered to in an Independent Scotland.
There are more of them than the fantasists from a Catholic background that think Scotland will be rid of them after a “nationalist” vote.
We’ve had some rhetoric, but has there been any punishment? No.
Police action? No.
There are more of them than those of Irish Catholic descent and therefore, by simple arithmetic, it will never change.
Scotland is Northern Ireland minus the bombs.