Dare to Struggle

 

Dare to Struggle

This weekend’s demolition of Rangers in the Glasgow derby was a real boost for Celtic ahead of perhaps their toughest game in years. Celtic continued their free scoring start to the domestic season as they ripped their rivals apart. They were fast, clever, tactically prepared and clinical in front of goal. It was a satisfying day’s football for the 60,000 Celtic fans at the game and the hundreds of thousands watching around the globe. Only the injury to Kyogo cast a shadow on a great day at Celtic Park but hopefully he is soon fit to lead the line again as he is in fine goal scoring form. Had he played on today it could have been an even more embarrassing day for the visitors.

The remarkable display put on by the Green Brigade sparked a few conversations around me. It showed a 13 year boy wearing a gas mask and carrying a petrol bomb. He is wearing a leather jacket with a badge showing a map of Ireland. The picture of young Paddy Coyle was to become an iconic image of the troubles and was taken by photographer Clive Limpkin during the tumultuous summer of 1969 when the people of the Bogside took the defence of their community into their own hands. The three day ‘Battle of the Bogside’ saw the Police, B-Specials and their loyalist helpers fought to a standstill by the nationalist people of the Bogside. The police were utterly exhausted and their failure to break the Bogside led to the deployment of the British Army in the city. The image remains an icon of resistance to oppression for some. For others it marked a further step into the abyss of what was to become a virtual civil war.

The words ‘Today we dare to win’ which accompanied the banner are often attributed to Bernadette Devlin, the nationalist politician of the era. In fact, they come from an older quote by Black Panther activist, Fred Hampton. Hampton, who was killed by the Chicago Police in hugely disputed circumstances in 1969, said of the struggle for civil rights for African-Americans.

‘If you dare to struggle, you dare to win. If you do not dare to struggle then damn it, you don’t deserve to win.’

The banner was in keeping with the Green Brigade’s left-wing credentials and demonstrates once more that in terms of imagination and display; they are unmatched among the ultra-fan groups in the UK. What they choose to display at Celtic Park will always cause debate and there are many who would rather the content focused on the Club and its history.

Next up for Celtic is the small matter of their opening Champions League fixture with European Champions, Real Madrid on Tuesday night. It will be a raucous and hopefully magical night in Glasgow’s east end when the Spaniards arrive in town. They sit on top of their league with a 100% win rate after 4 games and present a daunting challenge to Ange Postecoglou’s exciting young team. Celtic will of course, dare to struggle against the 14 times European Champions but is daring to win a forlorn dream?

Madrid defeated Real Betis 2-1 this weekend to remain top of La Liga and Ancelotti’s team are in decent form. They will present a formidable barrier to Celtic’s European hopes. Their technical ability, speed, tactical nous and street wise approach will test Celtic to the limit. Postecoglou’s team should approach the match with confidence and see it as a chance to write a page in Celtic history as no one really expects an SPFL team to upset a club valued recently at $5.1 billion. When the music plays though and the lights go up, it is 11 against 11 and Celtic need to play the match and not the occasion. Madrid are a good side, very good as it happens but they are human. If Celtic play to the top of their form and don’t make any schoolboy errors, they can take something from the game but it really will require an excellent performance.

Perhaps on a rainy night in Glasgow with that wonderful support roaring Celtic on we can dream of adding another famous scalp to a long list which includes the likes of AC Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester United, Fiorentina, Benfica, Lazio, Valencia, Leeds United, Barcelona and of course Madrid in 1980. Dreams are free but victories over elite sides like Real Madrid are rare indeed. We will need the perfect storm of circumstances to overcome the European Champions but should enter the fray with no fear. We have nothing to lose. Play our game, have a real go at them and we’ll see how far this Celtic side has progressed.

Whatever happens on Tuesday night, I want Celtic to leave it all on that pitch. To give 100% as we in the stands will. Many think our chances are slim, but there is always a chance if you dare to struggle.