The Green Brigade, Paulo Bernardo – Gifts for Celtic so end self-defeating behaviour | OneFootball

With seven out of seven wins at the beginning of the Scottish League, Celtic supporters should be encouraged to believe that there is gold at the end of this Premiership rainbow…

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates with Paulo Bernardo, Arne Engels & Adam Idah after scoring to give Celtic a 4-2 lead. Celtic v Falkirk, Premier Sports Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, 22 Sep 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

What we don’t need is unnecessary foot-shooting, and a reason to bring self-imposed negativity into the reckoning. Two issues have sprung up this week, ones we could, and should, have screwed the lid on before now.

UEFA fine and suspended fan ban

Issue No.1…Pyros; there is a strong possibility that in the near future, comparative paupers Celtic could be sent to war in the battleground of Europe without the comfort of a backup battalion to help them stave off further humiliation from the comparative rich kids.

With UEFA handing us yet another fine whilst threatening the club with a ban on travelling fans in the Champions league, should there be any more ‘flare-ups,’ it beggars belief that a wet blanket has not been thrown over the ‘flareites’ before now.

Fans of Celtic set of smoke flares in the stands during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League match between Borussia Dortmund and Celtic FC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on October 01, 2024 (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

We all love the Green Brigade – Now they must do the right thing for Celtic

We all love the Green Brigade and the associated buzz which they bring to the occasion, but when they, (and others), threaten our support with European expulsion, the question has to be asked. Time and again we have had to fork out thousands of £££ because some folk see themselves above the law. Brendan Rodgers was spot-on; they are more interested in their own five minutes of fame, and a chance to be on the telly, than they are in the development or security of the club they purport to support!

However, I also lay the blame on the shoulders of the security department within the club. Why have these guys not been ousted before? Are you telling me that, in a secure area within Celtic Park, the authorities cannot weed out the guys holding high colourful flares?

Celtic Fans in the stands, hold smoke flares during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Borussia Dortmund and Celtic FC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on October 01, 2024 (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Green Brigade on the right side of history

This is fanciful in the extreme, and, apart from the safety issues, why are we, the mainstream support still being threatened with our European future hopes and dreams to accommodate a selfish few?

Celtic, you were quick enough to condemn the support who rightly spoke out against the horrific genocide still taking place in the middle east; now it’s time to put your big boy hats on and deal with the security issues closer to home.

Celtic v Motherwell – Celtic Park Green Brigade protesters ahead of the cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, Saturday November 25, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

Central focus of the fervour and joy which engulfs Paradise

The Green Brigade, and associated fan groups, are the central focus of the fervour and joy which engulfs Paradise on match day. They do great things in the field of charity, and in helping the homeless. For that, they must take great credit, and, in this arena, they are bringing our club’s reputation to the fore, globally.

When they stand up for the men, women, and children who are being mercilessly slaughtered in Gaza, and beyond, I am proud of them. It’s the right thing to do.

However, to feed Peter abroad whilst robbing Paul in your own home is a bizarre way to do your business. Put the flares and fireworks away, and hoist your flags, banners and voices, the ones which I have proudly flaunted since my first glimpse of Paradise in 1964, the ones which have driven this magnificent institution to past, and current glories.

Paulo Bernardo celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 0-2 lead. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Football, McDiarmid Park, Perth Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Benfica Paulo? Really?

Issue No.2…Paolo Bernardo; in recent years we have all laughed at, and mocked theRangers’ new boys as they boasted to the media about how they were about to depose Celtic in our magnificence. I’m pretty sure that there have been newspaper clipping with quotes from wide-eyed Ibrox hopefuls pinned up on the dressing room walls in Celtic Park before a Derby match.

There’s nothing we love more than a chance to ram their words back down their throats on the park when the talking stops, and the game begins.

Hampden in the Sun. 19 October 1957. League cup Final. Celtic 7 Rangers 1

READ THIS…Hampden in the Sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1 – The story of that great day in 1957

6th October 2024; Victoria Park, Dingwall, Scottish Premiership Ross County versus Celtic; Paulo Bernardo of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Paolo Bernardo would have been advised to have taken the advice of the Celtic hierarchy and players before spouting to the media about his dream of returning to his spiritual home, Benfica. I’ve no issue with this dream; none at all. If the Portuguese harbours ambitions beyond Scottish shores then so be it. Good luck to him.

The man is only five minutes in the door

However, the man is only five minutes in the door, and has just about staked his claim for a midfield berth following the departure of Matt O’Riley, whilst jousting with Reo Hatate for that prized position. Despite his wonder strike against theRangers shortly after his arrival, Bernardo was deemed suspect, and the fans took some time to warm to his talents.

Subsequently, the developing Under-21 international has worked hard to please the gaffer, and the vast support who pay his wages! To come out with, the ‘door is open for a return’ to Benfica at this early stage of his Celtic career is genuinely galling.

Why are new recruits not advised not to flaunt their wantaway ambitions to the media?

So, my question is this; why are new recruits not advised not to flaunt their wantaway ambitions to the media, at any point in their career? Sure, if they have a beef with an unreasonable boss, or club, then I can understand them putting their foot down, and speaking out in defiance.

This is not the case with Bernardo, and this deflating commentary is the last thing the fans want hear as we embark on a tough season ahead.

If the support groups kindly shut down the flares, and our club/players shut down the damaging statements, we may well, not only win a Treble, but give ourselves a better than even chance of emerging from the cauldron of Europe with our reputations enhanced, rather than plundered.

The Green Brigade are seen during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Livingston FC at Celtic Park on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Green Brigade is a gift to Celtic. Paolo Bernardo is a gift to Celtic. Let’s use our gifts for good, not this self-defeating behaviour!

Paulo Bernardo during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on 1 September 2024, Celtic 3 theRangers 0: Photo Kirk O Rourke/Shutterstock

Factions cause splits, splits cause disunity, and the Celtic support work best when we are united. Let’s embrace the marvellous era in which we are revelling in with solidarity and fervour. Not bans and negativity. Hail Hail!

Eddie Murray

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. ORDER NOW!

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