letters 118

as others see us

Dear NTV,

Back home from the Bayern game I watched a video recording of it again courtesy of ITV2. Surely commentator Peter Drury's words ought to be recorded somewhere for posterity. When he shuffles off his mortal coil it could be his epitaph.

It goes something like this: 'It never disappoints just to be here. No sight, no sound compares. This is what it means - it's a feast of colour and noise, hope, passion and singing and laughter. It's almost indigestible and yet these people gorge themselves on nights like this. Just a mountain of green, a wonderful, withering attack on the senses...'

Sadly, someone in our house (it was me!) mistakenly taped over the next bit, which was possibly the best of his pre-match comments where he stated rhyming off all the big clubs across the continent whose atmosphere can't compare with that of Celtic Park on a European night.

Mind you, he's only stating this for the benefit of English viewers. We've known for years that there's nowhere can compare to Celtic Park on Euro nights. It really is something else. I just hope we can finish the job in France.

Yours in Celtic,
DEREK KNOX
Longhorsley

praise be McNee

Dear NTV

Some excellent recent correspondence in your letters page from Joe Kane and Gary Marvin. These guys really have hit the nail on the head regarding the reality of Rangers FC history.

My letter will no doubt be met with little agreement with the majority of your readers, and believe me it's not my normal opinion, but I feel praise is due to our old friend Gerry McNee. (How many times has that phrase appeared in any Celtic fanzine?)

His article on his experiences inside the Death Star on the night of the Manchester United game (as published recently in his column in the News of the World) was remarkably brave. He gave a fair summing up of the bile and hatred spewed out by the masses that night and I for one, think it was an excellent piece of journalism. If you haven't read it, get a back copy, or maybe one of the Celtic websites could publish a copy. It's hard hitting and incisive (spoiled only by his attempts in the last few paragraphs to 'balance' his views)

OK, it's 50 years overdue and still doesn't go far enough, but this article and subsequent pieces by Graham Spiers on precisely the same subject ('embarrassed on and off the pitch' - the Herald) should be acknowledged and applauded.

Yours in Celtic
STUART SUTCLIFFE
by e-mail

Ed replies: McNee's column mentioned in Stuart's letter appeared in the News of the Screws on Sunday 26th November and was featured in the NTV diary (issue 116). Highlights included: 'I sat at the back of Ibrox stadium's main stand on Wednesday night and wondered what kind of person would want to own, be chairman, director or manager of Rangers Football Club in the 21st century. What pleasure can be derived from looking into a sectarian pit so deep their fans in Australia are visible? ... From the San Siro to the Nou Camp to the Stade de France and beyond I've stood in awe at magnificent cosmopolitan nights. At Ibrox my stomach churned at the sight of a primeval gathering. It was pernicious, poisonous, virulent, evil. There are not enough words to describe the atmosphere. Yet so many, including the media, accept it as the norm.'

balanced bias

Dear NTV,

A few weeks ago our old chum Terry Butcher was quoted in our glorious press as saying that Celtic's willingness to sign a player with Rangers connections (Craig Beattie), and Rangers' willingness to sign a player with Celtic connections (Chris Burke) was a sign that the clubs are serious about beating sectarianism.

This kind of statement illustrates the point I made in a letter in NTV 115 - that the Scottish media has duped people into thinking that the 'Old Firm' are equally guilty of sectarianism.

Celtic has signed players of 'all creeds and colour' for decades, including many dyed in the wool bluenoses. I've known for years that Kenny Dalglish and Danny McGrain were big Rangers fans, but I read fairly recently that Lisbon Lion Willie Wallace and 1979-10-man- 4:2 against Rangers- last gasp championship winners Murdo MacLeod and Davie Provan were also Rangers fans.

All of these players were signed by Celtic, regardless of their backgrounds, and were especially popular with the fans. If any Celtic supporting players signed for Rangers prior to the Souness/ Petite Merde period, they'd have had to keep their allegiance quiet.

That is one of the many differences between Celtic and Rangers.

Yours, etc.
GRANT LAMB
Fife

PS I'm sure you at NTV will know of many more Rangers-supporting Celtic players. It would perhaps make an interesting one-off article in NTV, and help to illustrate Celtic's history of non-sectarianism.

number 9

Dear NTV,

RUGBY PARK 1/11/03 'One Chris Sutton, there's only one Chris Sutton , one Chris Sutton....', some fans sang as the No.9 completed his hat-trick.

A more muted rendition you'll rarely find in response to a trio of strikes. Why is this? Why does Sutton not receive the adulation from the fans that his play deserves?

In my opinion Sutton has been Martin's most important signing. Although not as prolific in the scoring charts as Henrik, ( who is?), his penchant for scoring in important games is extraordinary.

From the moment he pulled on the hoops he was an instant success. His first winning goal against Dundee United set the standard. He followed that by scoring the first and last in the 6:2 annihilation of the Huns. What a thorn in the side he has been to them. From his opening verbal blast, 'we will put Rangers in their place', to being credited as scoring the fastest ever Celtic goal in an Old Firm game, he has played his part in maddening the mad hatters.

In Europe his performances have been inspirational, exuding skill, sublety, power and work rate. The bullet headed goal against Ajax and the unstoppable volley against Juventus will live long in the memory. Add to his European CV the outrageous headed goal against Blackburn and strikes versus Lyon and Anderlecht and you begin to realise the integral part he plays in O'Neill's march on Europe.

Having highlighted his obvious talents, I now have to speculate why other Celtic fans don't hold him in such high regard. It may well be that as Larsson is the 'King of Kings' there's only enough adoration for one superstar. As in the past for every Champagne Charlie and Mo Jo (ugh), there was a Frank McGarvey and Brian McClair.

This, however, does not explain the outpouring of affection from the terraces for John Hartson. When Hartson scores, the chants rise to a crescendo from the Celtic support, 'He's got no hair we don't care, walking in a Hartson wonderland...'

Sutton scores a hat-trick and it's the Celtic Song. Hey, you pays your money...

It could be argued that Sutton's personality does not endear him to the fans. His dour self deprecating manner in interviews does not promote a cheeky chappy persona. Compare this to the bubbly and spirited high jinks of Larsson and Hartson. Nah, that can't be it.

One theory is that he's an Englishman who plays for Celtic. The ancient hatred between Ireland and England is well documented and it may be that Celtic fans treat with suspicion any Englander who wears the green and white. I do recall a conversation I had with a Donegal Celtic fan shortly after the 6:2 game. As I recounted the magnificent contribution Sutton had made to the rout, he grudgingly agreed with me but added that Sutton was still English and he would have preferred it if we had never signed him. A minority viewpoint maybe, but still slightly worrying.

The truth is I really don't have the definitive answer as to why Sutton is not as popular as Larsson, Hartson, Balde and now Liam Miller. Hell, you would think that his 'lying down' retort alone, would be enough to endear him to the Celtic support.

Whatever the reason, some would say that Chris Sutton earns millions, enjoys a lavish lifestyle and plays for the Greatest Club in the World, so what does he care? The point is I care and so should you. For every misguided Celtic fan , myself included, who wasted their adulation on the likes of Johnston, Cadette and Van Hooijdonk, I ask you to channel that energy for Christopher Roy Sutton.

Unlike the aforementioned, The No.9 won't let you down.

JOHN MOLLOY
Mount Florida

crisis in pictland?

Dear NTV, How ironic it was the Death Star that destroyed Planet Marr. Outrage from the Laptop Loyal? Investigative reporting? Just as well it wasn't Desmondo playing Grand Moff Tarkin. The Force is with us.

Are we gloating that Big D's buddy JP Magnier is about to light sabre the collapsed anal fistula that passes for the Govan Knight's coupon? Never trust a lawyer.

Seriously though, with the Maryhill Mugwumps sinking into the Firhill Basin, and other clubs' assets equal to empty Lanliq bottles and used car seats, it's hobbyhorse time again. Even if we get the call to the G14 group, 'Scottish Football' must restructure; two divisions of 18 clubs, one for each sponsor. Mergers, ground shares... You know it makes sense.

A blend of home-grown youth and experienced pros will make life after Larsson bearable, but let's not kid ourselves about attracting 'top stars' to Paradise. Debt down, youth first, new training facilities, bigger capacity. Let's just pray the Management have these aims firmly in mind.

Meantime, how will we cope when big Bobo swans off in January to play in the African Nations Cup? Just as well we don't have any big games round about then.

Yours in (numberless) Hoops,
PROFESSOR JOCK TREATMENT,
Euphoric State University