Scottish Football Will Never Be Shot Of Bigots

Sep 21 2008 Andy Walker

RIGHTLY or wrongly, Rangers fans are probably under more scrutiny than other group of supporters.

But they only have themselves to blame. Sir David Murray and Martin Bain must be sick of it.

After the embarrassment of Villarreal in 2006 when Rangers were fined and warned about their fans' conduct and last May's riot in Manchester following the UEFA Cup Final, the strongest Rangers voices have been forced to urge their fans to behave once again.

This time it's a request to stop singing a song where the chorus "the famine's over, why don't you go home?" is repeated time and time again.

As sad as it sounds, one of the first things you have to accept about football matches is that there will be offensive chanting.

At almost every match I go to in Scotland, I can guarantee there will be unpleasant and disgusting language, rude gestures and abusive songs. That's the reality.

The question is, when does it become so offensive that you have to draw the line and take action? As a former Celtic player I totally accepted I was fair game for verbal abuse, especially from Rangers fans.

The truth is you can't escape it - it's part of the job. 40,000 opposing fans singing "Andy Walker's wife's a whore", is distasteful and unpleasant (and factually incorrect I must say) but you deal with it.

You don't survive very long as a footballer if you can't handle a bit of abuse or criticism.

I've never understood those who suggest that you shouldn't have to put up with it because it wouldn't be tolerated in any other workplace.

Football pitches are unique environments. Players can thrive on the sheer volume of noise generated by hysterical fans and I don't know any other workplace with the same conditions.

In a bizarre way, some players can be inspired by it. The more intimidating it is, the better they'll play.

My own view on offensive chanting is that because itis guaranteed and because it happens on a weekly basis, we get used to it, especially in Glasgow.

We let it wash over us and it becomes part of the footballing experience.

I don't know what it says about me but I still choose to go to games because I enjoy it.

As for the "famine song", clearly it's offensive. Mocking mass starvation can't be viewed any other way.

A million people died during this period in the 1840s and the same number, if not more, were displaced, thousands of them to Glasgow.

Abuse of individuals will never go away but the abuse of generations of Irish people, and that's undoubtedly the message in the singing of the "famine song", is more extreme.

For Celtic, their roots are in Ireland. I think it's something to be immensely proud of and they should be able to celebrate that fact.

One of the biggest problems I find is that so many people are offended by the very presence of the tricolour at Celtic Park.

I don't know why they're unable to accept that Celtic, a Scottish club, has such an affinity with Ireland.

I honestly think it's one of the reasons why the club is so unique.

History and how the events of the famine played its part in the formation of the club is a remarkable story.

Celtic's story also involves being part of the Catholic community and that too is nothing to be ashamed of.

Irish and Scottish Catholics shouldn't be embarrassed that Celtic is such a focal point in their lives.

All of that history couldn't be further from their great rivals Rangers and because of the historical baggage there will always be flashpoints, big and small.

Gers officials aren't alone when it comes to discouraging the singing of songs that others find offensive.

Peter Lawwell and the Celtic board often ask their own supporters to refrain from singing pro-IRA songs.

I completely understand why some view that as offensive.

I've also heard people on the radio this week ask why Hoops fans aren't taken to task when they refer to Gers fans as "Huns."

My own view is if Rangers fans find that label so offensive then they should complain about it.

I don't really know what the historical context is of being called a "Hun" but if it's offensive to the majority of Gers fans, it shouldn't be allowed to happen.

Requests of that nature are often asked of the Big Two because they're big news.

But other clubs' fans can easily escape censure.

At every SPL ground I go to, there's a message in the match day programme promoting a better code of conduct.

It makes no difference. Aberdeen supporters continually get away with their sickening abuse of Ian Durrant and their delight in glorifying the death of a great Rangers captain, George Young.

There's an element of the Hearts support that indulge in sectarian abuse but because it's not on the scale of Gers fans, it too is ignored. Shame on both of them.

But no matter what happens, one thing will never change.

If there's a football match and fans go to it, then be prepared to be offended.