Can’t we all just get along?

Kevin Thomson kopped a really bad knee injury against Kilmarnock. That’s bad news for Rangers and yes, good news for Celtic because Kevin Thomson is a really good player and the bad lads are a better team with him in it. A young guy (who Celtic pursued), who’s already had a career threatening knee injury has the misfortune to land another one. Fair enough, one of the better Ranger’s players is out for the season, in footballing terms that weakens Rangers which is a boost for Celtic. But why the need to gloat about it online. And to say that it’s karma is bad ju-ju. Thomson can be a pretty cynical player and has been known to take one for the team on occasion with some ruthless tackling. But not exactly crime of the century, furthermore he’s the type of player which most teams would love to have.

Recently the banter between fans, which was never exactly friendly, has taken a really sinister turn. There has always been the religious bollox to beat each other over the head with, that will never go away no matter what measures are taken. I’m certainly not an expert and when if asked if you know the history, I’d have to answer, no really, but I can’t ever remember death threats being issued to players. I’m probably wrong. I’m sure guys like Sebo and Tony Cascarino were regularly feart for their safety, though mostly from their own supporters.

I think things took a bit of a darker turn with the attack on Neil Lennon. Maybe walking alone late at night up the West End when you’re such a visible figure as Neil wasn’t the smartest. Mind you, it was just after Rangers had skelped us at Parkhead, so you’d think these dobbers would be in a good mood. Whatever the circumstances and there is no something like that should ever happen, it was bad news. But no, these idiots were set up as heroes and within a few days there was a game online where you could give Neil a digital doing. You have to admire the ingenuity of the Ned. Do none of these people work?

Next followed the death threats to everyone’s favourite Spanish dwarf; Snatcho Nacho - his address posted online and some wild threats made. Don’t get me wrong, Snatcho geez me the dry bolk but I don’t wish any harm on the wee Spanish hobbit - well maybe I’d like to give a Chinese burn but that’s about it.

Then we have the debate over the minute’s silence for Remembrance Day. Celtic took the decision to have a minutes applause instead. There are two sides to this argument and both are valid. Yes, it should have been a minute’s silence as that was what everybody else was doing and it was the right and respectful thing to do. But there is no way that it would be upheld by the whole of the Celtic support and that would have turned it into a farce. It would only take a few eejits within fifty thousand to make National News and Celtic would be vilified up and down the country. The minutes applause in the end was more respectful than attempting have a silence which would have descended into Up the Ra! Shut yer face! Who you talkin tay! Up yay! That’s not honouring your heroes. Yes, you’re pandering to the minority, which is wrong, but if you know there is a problem then head it off at the pass. Not, oh look there’s a rattlesnake, let’s poke it with a stick. What happens next is that Ranger’s fans then take the moral high ground, which is a bit much from a support who can sing there’s only one Gary Glitter.

I don’t know how it is around the world; AC and Inter, Real and Barcelona, Blantyre Vics and Blantyre Celtic. We get a closer look at Man City Man U and Liverpool Everton; these guys don’t like each other, that’s for sure but we seem to take it onto a whole new level, which seems to continually escalate. Which begs the question, where will it all end? There does seem to be a genuine attempt on the part of Celtic and Rangers to get their houses in order with some of the songs that are sung, but it’s a real uphill battle; trying to educate fans who have been brought up on some of the bile that is thrown at each other is virtually impossible. It’s a real hard one to swallow, but someone is going to have to grow a pair; start docking points, ban clubs from Europe. I’d hate it but if the powers that be are serious about cleaning up the game then it is the only option they have.

Let’s all join hands and sing a new song. We are the world. We are the children. Mibbe no.