Celtic’s long-anticipated Trophy Day should have been a moment of unbridled joy, with Brendan Rodgers and his squad celebrating their Scottish Premiership victory before a packed Celtic Park. The fans, too, were preparing for a day filled with colour, music, and unification in the stands and throughout the city. However, the mood was quickly soured by a shocking announcement: an Orange Walk was approved to take place on the same day as Celtic’s celebrations.
The move has sparked outrage from Celtic supporters, who have branded it “absolutely horrific.” The decision to allow the walk — a divisive and often hate-filled march — to occur on such a significant day for the club has led many to believe there’s more at play than mere coincidence. Critics are pointing to what they call a “sinister” agenda by the authorities, accusing them of allowing the march to go ahead as a way of stirring up trouble and undermining Celtic’s title celebrations.
The Backlash: Fans and Media Voice Their Fury
The fury has been felt not just among fans but also from media voices such as Paul John Dykes, who voiced his disgust on A Celtic State of Mind. Dykes criticized both Glasgow City Council and the police for their role in permitting the Orange Walk, calling it a “recipe for disaster.” He pointed out that combining a group of fans celebrating Celtic’s title with the march of a group associated with bigotry was a disaster waiting to happen. The real motivation, he claims, is not incompetence, but something far darker — money.
“There’s payment made,” Dykes asserted. “It’s financially viable to allow it to happen. It seems sinister.”
The criticism has been loud, with fans feeling that the authorities, instead of facilitating a peaceful, celebratory day, are instead prioritizing financial gain. As Dykes puts it, “Anybody with any understanding of what happens when you put a group of people who are celebrating a Celtic title win in the same area as an Orange Walk knows that it’s not going to end well.”
The Orange Order’s Application: A ‘Victory in Europe’ Parade?
As the controversy continued to escalate, further revelations came to light about the Orange Order’s application to the council. According to reports, the group claimed the walk was being organized as part of a “Victory in Europe” (VE) parade, ostensibly commemorating the end of World War II. This, however, has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the authenticity of this claim. Kevin Graham of A Celtic State of Mind was quick to point out the obvious: “It’s a VE parade, isn’t it? It’s a Victory in Europe parade a week after all the rest of them, seemingly. That’s what they’re saying.”
Graham went on to highlight the absurdity of the situation, suggesting that the authorities should have dismissed the application outright, given the circumstances. “It’s a complete shambles,” he remarked. “That application should’ve been thrown straight into the bin along with that sectarian organisation.”
For many fans, the timing of the march on Celtic’s most important day of the year feels like a deliberate act of provocation. It’s a situation that’s left the city bracing for tensions, with many fearing that the clash could escalate into violence or at the very least overshadow the joy of Celtic’s title triumph.
The Green Brigade’s Call to Action
Leading the charge against this controversy are the Green Brigade, the passionate and vocal group of Celtic supporters who have never been shy about holding the authorities accountable. They’ve wasted no time in calling out both the council and the police, demanding answers as to why such a decision was allowed. Their anger has only intensified as they believe the move was not just an error of judgment, but part of a deeper, more sinister agenda to undermine Celtic fans’ celebrations.
With the march now confirmed, the Green Brigade and many Celtic supporters are preparing for a showdown with the council. They’ve vowed to ensure that this doesn’t pass quietly into the night and that the authorities will be held accountable for what many fans see as a deliberate attack on their club and its supporters.
The Road Ahead: A Tense Trophy Day
As Celtic’s Trophy Day approaches, the clash between the club’s fans and the authorities seems inevitable. While the club and its supporters should be focused on celebrating the success of another league title, instead, they’re being forced to confront the disturbing reality of sectarianism, bigotry, and what many feel is the cynical exploitation of Celtic’s celebrations for financial gain.
With the Green Brigade putting pressure on the council and fans of all backgrounds raising their voices, this year’s Trophy Day looks set to be remembered for more than just football. The challenge now is whether the authorities will listen and reconsider their decision, or whether Celtic fans will be forced to endure yet another year of this ongoing divisive spectacle.
Watch the full discussion on A Celtic State of Mind here:
