Post by Admin on Nov 19, 2011 11:22:12 GMT
Neil Lennon urges Celtic's Green Brigade to end pro-IRA chants
Nov 19 2011 By Hugh Keevins
Celtic fans unveil their anti-poppy banner Image 1
Neil Lennon wants a face-to-face meeting with the Green Brigade so he can personally plead with them to stop their pro-IRA chants.
Celtic have been ordered to appear at a UEFA disciplinary hearing on December 8 over alleged illicit chanting at games against Rennes and Hibs.
Record Sport revealed earlier this week Strathclyde Police wanted showdown talks with the Green Brigade but the fans snubbed that request.
Now, though, Celtic boss Lennon wants a meeting and last night he said: “I want to get their views and also put our own views across. I’ll sit down and speak to the guys privately and I’ll be looking to arrange a meeting as soon as possible.
“They’ve actually lifted my players at times when games have been flat and they bring a lot of joy to Celtic Park. It would be a poorer place without them because they are the heart and soul of the club.
“But there are lines you can’t cross and they are being crossed by a minority. The majority of our fans don’t enjoy it when the reputation of the club is dragged through the mud.”
Lennon has also issued a personal plea for good behaviour at the game against Inverness today, asking the fans not to sing anything offensive as an act of defiance in the face of all the negative publicity.
He said: “I would ask the fans to go to Inverness and sing about the team but leave the offensive songs at the turnstiles.
“Don’t damage the reputation of the club because the club will find you and you’ll be punished.
“The guys in the North Stand (The Green Brigade) have made such a difference but they are a bit militant at times.
“The problem with the traditional Irish songs they sing is the little add-ons which can be offensive to the majority of people in this country and elsewhere.”
Lennon is idolised by the Green Brigade and denied he’d be seen in a less favourable light now.
He said: “I’m not a traitor at all. What I’m doing is looking after the reputation of the club, that’s all.”
Meanwhile, leaders of two Celtic supporters groups yesterday refused to meet Strathclyde Police to discuss fans’ behaviour.
The Celtic Supporters Trust and the Celtic Supporters Association are backing the stance of the Green Brigade.
Joe O’Rourke, general secretary of the CSA, said: “We’ve always been happy in the past to have dialogue with the police but we will not be criminalised for doing nothing more than supporting our team.
“We will not be bullied by the Government, the police, or anyone else."
Nov 19 2011 By Hugh Keevins
Celtic fans unveil their anti-poppy banner Image 1
Neil Lennon wants a face-to-face meeting with the Green Brigade so he can personally plead with them to stop their pro-IRA chants.
Celtic have been ordered to appear at a UEFA disciplinary hearing on December 8 over alleged illicit chanting at games against Rennes and Hibs.
Record Sport revealed earlier this week Strathclyde Police wanted showdown talks with the Green Brigade but the fans snubbed that request.
Now, though, Celtic boss Lennon wants a meeting and last night he said: “I want to get their views and also put our own views across. I’ll sit down and speak to the guys privately and I’ll be looking to arrange a meeting as soon as possible.
“They’ve actually lifted my players at times when games have been flat and they bring a lot of joy to Celtic Park. It would be a poorer place without them because they are the heart and soul of the club.
“But there are lines you can’t cross and they are being crossed by a minority. The majority of our fans don’t enjoy it when the reputation of the club is dragged through the mud.”
Lennon has also issued a personal plea for good behaviour at the game against Inverness today, asking the fans not to sing anything offensive as an act of defiance in the face of all the negative publicity.
He said: “I would ask the fans to go to Inverness and sing about the team but leave the offensive songs at the turnstiles.
“Don’t damage the reputation of the club because the club will find you and you’ll be punished.
“The guys in the North Stand (The Green Brigade) have made such a difference but they are a bit militant at times.
“The problem with the traditional Irish songs they sing is the little add-ons which can be offensive to the majority of people in this country and elsewhere.”
Lennon is idolised by the Green Brigade and denied he’d be seen in a less favourable light now.
He said: “I’m not a traitor at all. What I’m doing is looking after the reputation of the club, that’s all.”
Meanwhile, leaders of two Celtic supporters groups yesterday refused to meet Strathclyde Police to discuss fans’ behaviour.
The Celtic Supporters Trust and the Celtic Supporters Association are backing the stance of the Green Brigade.
Joe O’Rourke, general secretary of the CSA, said: “We’ve always been happy in the past to have dialogue with the police but we will not be criminalised for doing nothing more than supporting our team.
“We will not be bullied by the Government, the police, or anyone else."