Witless hack Keevins tells Celtic fans that “resistance is useless.” I guess we’re going to find out just how usless it really is…
Eric Knott 
(Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images
Reports last night on the attendance at Celtic Park varied slightly, but the general consensus was that the official number in attendance was 24,120.
The first boycott at Celtic Park concluded that the stadium was 35,880 shy of capacity.
I’m led to believe that the lowest number previous to that was for a cup tie against Raith Rovers back in 2013.
That number was around 13,000.
Last night’s attendance was the lowest in 13 years.
Whether you accept it or not, that is a statement of intent from a very disgruntled fanbase.
Before I go any further, I have received a lot of messages from readers critcising people’s decision to boycott last night’s game.
Personally, I believe that last night proves that many fans have had enough.
They do not want to tolerate mediocrity any more.
I also understand that there are people who want to attend matches and support the football team.
Neither party should be criticised for their choice.
Their was a lot of petty point scoring going on last night on social media, to the point where it seemed like some people wanted Celtic to lose to prove the point that boycotting doesn’t work.
Let’s get one thing straight here.
No Celtic fan should ever want Celtic to lose to use it as an opportunity to point score.
The people who did not attend the game last night were just as much behind the team as those who were in attendance.
They just made the choice to take a stand and show this board that their time is up.
The numbers at Celtic Park last night do not lie.
Witless hack Hugh Keevins believes it is his place to tell us that “resistance is useless”.
In his article in this morning’s Sunday Mail and Record, he is telling us that this board is unassailable.
Really?
Maybe he should ask his buddy Peter Lawwell to attest to that?
It’s funny that Keevins did exactly the same thing in the 1990’s when fans boycotted for change back then.
While the 1990s saw legitimate, necessary pressure from supporters to remove the old board of the Kelly’s and the White’s, Keevins’ reporting at the time and subsequent retrospective comments often focused on the chaotic nature of these protests rather than supporting them.
There is nothing chaotic about the Celtic Fans Collective.
But Keevins has always attempted to paint Celtic fans as difficult or unreasonable.
Put simply, he has never spoken positively about Celtic fans protesting against the board.
I’m also pretty sure he believed that resistance was useless back in 90’s too.
We all know how that worked out, don’t we?
Throughout his career, including the 1990’s crisis and later, Keevins always seemed to position himself against fan-led campaigns, including those aimed at the board of directors, often framing fan protests as unrealistic or damaging to the club.
He has historically used charged language to describe fan efforts to force change, such as referring to certain supporter groups or dissidents as “vigilantes” or “stroppy”.
Keevins has argued that such movements are “demented” and represent a “mob rule” mentality.
He has never seen any kind of fan movement as a constructive, democratic process.
This was clear to see in his criticism of shareholders demanding boardroom changes at the recent AGM.
Yet reading his article this morning, you would be led to believe he has had some sort of epiphany when it comes to understanding the fans and the direction of the club.
He claims to have the inside track on Martin O’Neill becoming Director of Football once the season ends.
Something we discussed in depth on the Trinity Tims podcast last Thursday evening.
He states that the board is committed to a “strategic review”.
This board has no grasp on what a strategy of any kind us.
They have shown time out of number that they are incapable of strategic planning.
Installing Martin O’Neill as Director of Football isn’t strategic planning.
It is taking the easy option to remove the pressure from their shoulders because they can see what Martin O’Neill has achieved since his return to the club.
This board has always relied on their deficiencies being covered up by competent management.
They know if they install Martin O’Neill as DOF, they can then install Shaun Maloney as manager of the football team.
This removes all and any responsibility from them.
No recruitment drive is required for a new manager, and Martin O’Neill will do all of the heavy lifting when it comes to the footballing operation.
At 74 years of age.
That is not strategic planning, that is cowardice.
The very hallmark of this Celtic board.
This is why we cannot allow them to remain in place.
Don’t get me wrong, at this point in time I would have no qualms about having Martin O’Neill as DOF and Shaun Maloney as manager.
As James said on the podcast on Thursday night, this would inject a level of stability that is badly needed at the club.
Given the right players and the right backing, I think its fair to say that Shaun Maloney could do a decent job as Celtic manager.
In an ideal world, Martin O’Neill would reunite him and Roberto Martinez.
A man can dream…
One thing we cannot allow is for the current board to engage in any kind of “strategic planning”.
That would be like giving a 5 year old the keys to your car and telling him to take it for a spin.
You get the picture.
But overall, what did we learn from last night?
Well, we certainly learned that well coordinated planning resulted in an impactful boycott.
We also learned that those who didn’t wish to partake in the boycott proved that they could vociferously support the football team.
The attendance of 24,120 generated some serious noise.
Maybe they felt it was their duty to do so in the absence of so many other fans?
Either way, the boycott sent out a message to the board.
And it certainly wasn’t that resistance is useless.
Our resistance has delivered quite a lot thus far.
It will continue to do so.
Martin O’Neill wants unity at the club, and the funny thing about it is that he’s probably the man who will unite everyone in the end.
Last night showed that when Celtic and he are united, magic happens.
His never say die attitude was on full display last night.
Regardless of what Keevins says, or anyone else for that matter, I believe he will deliver success this season.
In his own words back in 2000, “I will do everything I can to bring some success to the club”.
He meant it then, and he means it now.
Maybe this season was written in the stars?
Because if Martin O’Neill does deliver the title, and possibly a double, he is well and truly Celtic’s saviour.
There is nobody, and I mean nobody, in the boardroom that will have contributed to it.
It will all be down to him.
Key Takeaways
- Celtic Park recorded the lowest attendance in 13 years at 24,120, reflecting growing discontent among fans.
- The recent boycott demonstrates that many fans are dissatisfied with the club’s management and unwilling to accept mediocrity.
- Critics, like Hugh Keevins, undermine fan protests and argue that resistance is futile, but many fans disagree.
- Celtic’s board relies on competent management to mask its deficiencies, leading to calls for change within the club.
- The collaboration of Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney could stabilize the club, but fans must not allow the current board to dictate its future.
Don’t worry about Keevins ? He’s always been the worst scoop possible and remains so ! But isn’t it time Celtic FC banned the BBC Scottish version for life after the bushwhacking of our club by them this morning on its Sunday show ? To name Celtic FC alongside a nasty horrendous current event story was nothing short of scandalous and shameful in its implied comparisons ! I’m no fan of Brian Wilson ,but to be ambushed by a mouthpiece from the publicly owned ailing broadcaster in such a manner on live TV is unforgivable and has to be addressed by our board . This was opportunism of the snidest kind possible !
The reason celtic fans are up in arms and boycotting the club is because we want to save the club from corporate greed and billionaire absentee landlord and his and his sons contempt so stop giving them your money
Eric,I stayed away last night and I have to admit I was torn right up until lunchtime but knew I had to make a decision that will be to the long term benefit of the club and the support as a whole.
I can assure anyone who was of the thought that the boycotters weren’t supportive of the team that this is just laughable.
However,I think we have to think outside the box in our strategy to effect change and the primary target must be Dermot Desmond.
With that in mind I think we should be targeting, in a non violent way,any golf ing enterprises he should be involved in,participating or not.
The last thing he would want is to have any outside interference which would embarrass him in front of his golfing buddies.
Believe me,I know how much they frown upon the slightest hint of upset.
Was just a thought, mibbe you coud broach the idea with the collective steering committee.
Whatever happens this season the club not just the team needs major restructuring and lots of investment . But until then if all fans decide to spend less on merchandise at the ground and the shops then it will force them to the table . It’s our only feasible bargaining chip . Unless they get the message our club will be run exactly the same . I hope all fans get on board and cut the spending
Wilson should have asked the bigot why he doesn’t ask other scottish clubs these questions.Celtic f c didn’t own or manage
any boys club