IT was most interesting on Hogmanay to discover Celtic had chosen to describe their win over Rangers in April as the âlast ever derbyâ between the clubs on their website. In doing so, they effectively said their stance was the Light Blues had gone out of existence over the summer â something which is completely inaccurate and untrue, of course. It was the first time I could recall the Parkhead club saying something as bold in an official capacity and I must say it genuinely took me by surprise. If you read between the lines, the chances are it was nothing more than someone from their media team causing mischief and pandering to fans by looking for a cheap laugh. But now, some six days on, the phrase still hasnât been removed so one can only assume it is a view shared by Peter Lawwell et al. That is something which disappoints me greatly and I am sure Iâm not the only person from within Ibrox who feels that way. Itâs embarrassing for them. Had it been the other way around, Iâm not sure Rangers as a club â forgetting their supporters for a moment â would have been so foolhardy. We have come to expect fans of the Parkhead team to preach that the Light Blues are no more. As much as we rightly project this is the same club â something recognised by governing bodies including UEFA and the ECA â they will continue to insist the opposite is true. That comes with the territory and itâs a two-way street. Just as those from across the city gloat any time we slip up, the same happens in reverse when itâs the other way around. What I didnât expect was for Celtic itself to jump on the bandwagon, particularly after its majority shareholder Dermot Desmondâs comments about the Light Blues late last year. It was back in October the Irishman spoke of Rangers being a fantastic club with a great history, one which he felt was needed at the top of Scottish football as soon as possible. He talked with class, dignity and, most of all, common sense. For me, it was refreshing to hear someone from the other side refuse to allow hatred and bitterness cloud the truth. If only his colleagues were as distinguished and honourable. Iâm all for having rivalry because itâs healthy but itâs worth chucking in an ounce of respect from time to time too. Thatâs something which is very sadly lacking too often in footballing circles around here and I dearly hope that changes over the course of time. When Rangers were at their lowest ebb a few months ago, the likes of Celtic, Dundee United and Hibernian seemed to be most keen to keep them pinned down. There were others too, including some in the media, who seemed to delight in the fact the Light Blues were getting weaker by the day. Now they are strengthening again and the future looks very bright indeed as a new era continues to gather momentum at an exciting rate. Lawwell once said Celtic didnât need Rangers and perhaps he was right. They seem to be prospering both at home and abroad without us so letâs leave them to it. By the same token, I think the last six months in particular have proved Rangers donât need Celtic any more either. Backed by a wonderful support and sound investors, the Light Blues have risen from their knees and are on course to get back to their rightful position at the top of the pile. I said on Twitter the other day I looked forward to Celtic saying sorry for their words with my tongue firmly in cheek. If the apology doesnât come? No matter. The best way for Gers to respond is to keep moving in the right direction as they are and beat Celtic on the park when the time comes for the two teams to share a pitch again. It was almost fitting in a way that Celtic ended 2012 with a petty dig at Rangers. As the last year has shown, their supportâs obsession with this club knows no bounds. But as for there being any truth that was the last ever derby just over eight months ago? Weâll see how their fans react the next time the Light Blues play their team and beats it.
I honestly thought it was going to be from follow follow or something, certainly not from the rangers website. Embarrassing indeed and it isn't even well written.
It's the Kit Kat guy that wrote it A whole page on two words on the Celtic website calling us "obsessed" What's even funnier about it is the original thing on our website was pointed out to him by perhaps the most ******ed well-known Twitter user there is. A guy called "Celticareanewco"
This Unfortunately quite a few bears, at least from what I've seen on Twitter, think this is the right thing to do (and not at all, no way sir, sad as ****)
