David Tanner Hides A Cheap Shot At Celtic Fans Inside A Tartan Army Compliment
Aodhán Ó Conchobhair 
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 16: Hearts' Cammy Devlin (L) and a Celtic fan during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, on May 16, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
There are particular kinds of Scottish mainstream media figures who can’t help themselves at times.
Any moment will do.
David Tanner has just given us another example.
Tanner posted a tweet praising the Tartan Army’s conduct at the World Cup. Fair enough.
Scotland’s fans have been brilliant.
But not surprisingly, he’s found a way to have a dig at Celtic.
Discussing a variety of issues Celtic faced last season with our fan conduct
One in particular is how there’s been no pitch invasion?
They’ve played one game, David…
If Scotland somehow won the World Cup, are you telling me no Scotland fan would invade the pitch?
I find that hard to believe.
Tanner’s Had A Few Too Many
Tanner lists the Tartan Army’s virtues.
No pitch invasion.
No pyrotechnics.
No sectarianism.
then stating, “Actual fan culture. No ultras hooliganism.”
Pitch invasions aren’t ultras.
Pyrotechnics is not an issue just for Celtic; in most countries it’s seen as a benefit to atmospheres.
Sectarianism in a Scottish football context certainly isn’t an ultras issue.
I don’t understand why, in such a momentous night for Scottish football, you have to take a cheap shot at Celtic fans.
The Tartan Army Has Plenty Of Celtic Fans In It
Here’s the part that makes the whole thing collapse on itself.
The Tartan Army that Tanner is praising?
It’s full of Celtic supporters.
The fans in that fan-zone clip in his post? You can guarantee a healthy chunk of them are pulling on a hoops top on most Saturday afternoons.
So who exactly is the contrast in his tweet?
Celtic fans following Scotland… being praised for not behaving like Celtic fans following Celtic?
Does that make sense to anyone?
Does it hold together logically?
It doesn’t.
It’s just the reflex.
The instinct to use any moment.
Any pretext.
Any micro-platform.
To slide in another little cut at Celtic supporters.
Why Now? Why Tanner? Why This Tweet?
This is the bit worth sitting with.
Because the timing matters.
Scotland are at a World Cup.
The mood around Scottish football is positive.
We have players from Motherwell scoring braces for their national teams, Scotland winning their first game, and people that don’t care for football normally waking up their kids for games.
The Tartan Army are getting plaudits from across the world.
And on a tweet that should simply have read “well done lads”…
Tanner couldn’t help himself.
A journalist with a sizeable platform choosing this moment, of all moments, to take a swipe.
And that’s the part that tells you everything.
Key Takeaways
- David Tanner tweeted about the Tartan Army’s good behaviour at the World Cup but also took a swipe at Celtic fans.
- He noted the absence of pitch invasions and other issues, but this context doesn’t warrant criticism of Celtic supporters.
- Tanner’s comments lack logic, as many Tartan Army members are Celtic fans themselves.
- The timing of Tanner’s tweet strikes as odd, given the positive atmosphere around Scottish football during the World Cup.
- Ultimately, Tanner chose to undermine Celtic fans instead of celebrating the moment for Scottish football.
Eric Knott 
Bhoycie 
Tanner is another little angry boy.
It seems he has not recovered from Celtics 56 Title win.
Not to many Scottish papers mentioned our record 56 Titles. It must still be hurting.
Bring on Heinz number 57.
Seville no arrests anywhere Celtic fans go Can he say that about the oldco1872/Sevco 5088 with carnage everywhere they go or GET BEATEN
Raging current shows his own sectarianism then uses gaslight on those who point this out.
Raging he exposed himself, he now continues with gaslight via “I don’t like sectarianism” and “look ! the Tartan army are better than Celtic fans that cross themselves on the pitch after a great victory”.
Rather than hide things his gaslight is illuminating them further.
His horror at a Celtic supporter blessing themselves at Ibrox revealed that he in fact is a sectarian bigot,he does not have the self awareness to realise that. He’s a clown who is no longer relevant and is best ignored…
Any Celtic fan who supports a Scotland team with Snotter, Shankland, Gilmour,
Gordon, Patterson. Curtis, Ferguson. Doak, McLean, Dykes and even Christie in in it
should buy a season ticket for Ibrox.
And any Celtic supporter who blesses himself anywhere to annoy someone, like Mo
Johnston did, is only a troublemaking, blasphemous ratbag and most probably a
coward to boot.
A bit like those who superimposed Martin O`Neill`s coupon over the face of a
picture of the Sacred Heart.