Celtic also have a role in beating sectarianism

[ian1964 10,720]

Security at tomorrow's Scottish Premier League title deciders involving Celtic and Rangers is to be, in the words of Strathclyde Police, "as big an operation as we have ever mounted".

More than 1,000 officers will be deployed across the region. There will be a "ring of steel" around Celtic Park and at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.

 

If this is to be the face of Scottish football, it is a deeply depressing prospect. No less depressing is the view that we are witnessing the surfacing of anti-Catholicism endemic across all walks of Scottish life. While sectarian violence and boorish behaviour are to be deplored, it is deeply inaccurate and inflammatory to suggest this is but one manifestation of more widespread hatred and intolerance of Catholics. The vast majority of Scots simply do not recognise their country in this caricature. Others may well see it as an attempt to deflect attention from the need for club officials to take responsibility.

 

But such is the extremity of thinking behind the assertion this is a problem for which all non-Catholics shoulder some blame, even attempts at reasoned denial are denounced as evidence of the depth of prejudice. Denial becomes evidence for the prosecution - maybe Celtic chairman John Reid hasn't quite left his Communist days behind.

 

Certainly, we must be vigilant in seeking to repel, isolate and eradicate sectarianism, but this is a symptom of wider social problems like the culture of drug and alcohol abuse and violence fed and fuelled at football grounds. Celtic cannot shrug off their responsibilities.

 

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/opinion/Leader-Celtic-also-have-a.6767978.jp