A large group in society exists, a disparate aspect of the population, from numerous walks of life, with a plethora of external interests. Little joins this group together on a daily basis, yet two important aspects haunt them with the dark shadow of hatred: They are Celtic supporters, and they are targets of hatred.

This week, the penny seems to have dropped slightly. After weeks, months, years and decades of either silence or pathetic attempts to play down the bigoted treatment towards individuals whose only crime appears to be that they play or support Celtic, there has at least been a fragment of condemnation. Let’s consider the relatively ‘minor’ aspects of the story. Berwick Rangers terminate the contract of their youth team captain for Kieran Bowell for posting the following:

‘wish that parcel bomb f*cking killed neil lennon the little c***’.

Whilst it is pleasing, if not painfully obvious that this is being reported within the mainstream media, it balances it with an apologetic quote from the players Father, arguing that ‘he is just a 16 year old lad and didn’t think about the impact this would have’.

16 is not 6. This wee cretin can legally re-produce. Didn’t think about the impact it would have?! At what stage is wishing death on a high profile figure in society, one whose career in Scotland has been littered with the underlying fear of retribution from those who cannot handle a high profile Irish catholic managing Celtic. Adding the hashtag #celtic on a twitter post merely created an wider audience. Clearly, this young man wanted maximum impact, and not even in the disgusting world of Scottish tabloid journalism could these actions be classed as mere banter. Sadly, as we were soon to realise, the youth team captain from Berwick was one more cog in an unacceptable machine of anger towards someone they have never met. Youth players at Clyde, Motherwell and St Mirren have proved that there is an underlying animosity towards Neil Lennon from within the very sport that should be rallying together in an obvious show of solidarity.

Change has to come from within, and a sudden media and Rangers explosion of conscience amidst the hope of exploded bombs has been showered with mixed messages. On one hand Ally McCoist’s strong words, labelling those who seemed intent of ending a man’s life ‘evil’ can only be applauded. Paradoxically, this was the same McCoist who six weeks previous blamed Lennon for the actions of El Hadji Diouf at the cup replay. The Celtic manager was receiving hatred then, yet McCoist chose to intensify matters by seemingly legitimising a campaign of hatred against Lennon.  The mainstream media’s inability to report that Cardinal O’Brien was sent a live bullet prior to the Pope’s visit to Scotland is a damning indictment on not only the country as a whole, but of the attitudes of many who populate it.

Change can only occur when there is a concensus of conscience, an acceptance that sending live bullets and nail bombs to people because of their football or religious allegiance is fundamental wrong. It is an evil that claws away at the skin, hitiing you until a large bruise serves as an ugly reminder of what Scotland is, and always will be, until there is more than a half-hearted apology for death threats. This should not, cannot, and will not be tolerated, yet all the while the facts are reported alongside the sick depiction of Neil Lennon’s bullet ridden frame, and all the while the criticism of the bigots shares newspaper space with Neil Lennon’s confrontation with McCoist, it creates the idea in the eyes of the ignorant that there is an element of legitimacy. Lennon, after all, is passionate and therefore can wind people up. It immediately waters down events that should create a reservoir of support for a man who will never be able to live a carefree existence that many of us take for granted. In these circumstances, many Celtic supporters would not blame Neil Lennon for walking away from football at the season’s conclusion, hopefully with two trophies in the air and two fingers in the direction of the bigots.

Not even being a thought in my parents’ minds in 1967 and being still too young in 1998 to appreciate the significance, I would argue that 2010/11 is the most important season in living memory. Winning the league this year will be sweeter than any silverware from even the O’Neill era. To win the league this year, in spite of the off field hatred, will be one of Celtic Football Club’s finest achievements. Winning three titles in a row under Strachan was wonderful, especially the unexpected 2008 triumph with the backdrop of tragedy, but here we have a team that is likeable, wonderful to watch, and led by potentially the most popular boss in the club’s recent history. A man who, if he can manage to triumph over a disgusting level of off-field hatred from within the governing body, opposition, and terrorists who cannot even reach up and grab the gutter, would have ensured a footballing miracle. For the remainder of this season, we are all Neil Lennon, and we will continue to stand tall.

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