Behind Enemy Lines

 

Behind Enemy Lines

The Thornton Suite was busy as kick off time approached. Danny Swan finished his food, feeling a little bit awkward as his boss had vanished to the toilet, leaving him on his own at a table of strangers. He hadn’t expected the invite to the game, especially as there were no Celtic fans officially allowed into Ibrox on this bright April day. His boss had warned him to remain incognito and to tell no one he was a Celtic fan. ‘Don’t be fooled by the suits,’ he had said, ‘some of these guys are crackpots.’  As the taxi had pulled up at the stadium two hours earlier, he was having his doubts about the wisdom of agreeing to come to the match at all.

As he waited for his boss to return, an older man leaned closer to him, ‘how do ye see this game going today son?’  Danny shrugged, ‘you can never predict these matches. I suppose it’s about who shows up on the day.’ The older chap nodded, ‘aye, but if we beat these fuckers today, I think the league is in the bag.’ Danny was about to reply when his boss returned, ‘alright, son? Let’s head down to our seats.’ Danny excused himself and followed him out to the stand. He passed a bearded man of similar age who looked searchingly into his face. Danny passed him, trying hard to maintain his composure. Had he been spotted by someone who knew he was a Tim?  He sat in his padded seat feeling like a secret agent in a foreign land.

The DJ cranked up the music as the teams came out to a tremendous roar. Things settled slightly as the game kicked off. After just a few seconds, Joe Hart smashed a long clearance up-field and the energetic Maeda chased after it like a greyhound after a rabbit.  As Tavernier tried to clear it for a throw, it cannoned off the Japanese winger and zinged into the net past a startled goalkeeper. Danny sat perfectly still but felt a thrill flash through him which reminded him of a feeling he once had on a fast-descending lift when he was a boy. He said nothing but in his head the words, ‘fuckin’ yaaas!’ roared out. His boss looked at him as if to check he was maintaining his composure. ‘That tadger Tavernier!’ a voice behind him roared, ‘he might have scored a hundred goals but he fuckin’ cost a hundred at the other end.’

As the first half raged on, it was clear that Celtic were having the best of it. Maeda and O’Riley came close before a handball gave Celtic a penalty kick. As Matt O’Riley waited to take it, Danny saw the bearded man who had peered at him earlier, glancing at him from a few rows in front. As O’Riley scored, Danny didn’t flinch. Once more his heart was pounding; once more he contained his emotion. The first half ended in a crescendo of boos as the players walked from the field. Danny followed his boss back to the Thornton Suite, where the mood was far from happy. They grabbed a quick drink and discussed the first half. ‘Rangers were bloody awful there,’ his boss began. ‘They’re letting Celtic boss the game.’ Danny shrugged, ‘I’m sure the second half will be more even.’ As he finished his drink, he laid his glass on the table and headed for the toilet. Two men were discussing the game as Danny entered. ‘Always the fuckin same,’ one of them was saying, ‘standing off those tarrier bastards and making them look like Real Madrid.’ His friend agreed, ‘we better get the finger oot in the second half or we’re throwing this league away.’

As Danny washed his hand at the sink, he glanced in the mirror and saw the bearded man looking at him. His mind was racing and he readied himself for the inevitable dig up. As he dried his hands the man waited for the toilet to empty and approached him. Danny turned, his jaw set, ready for any eventuality. ‘All right mate,’ the man said, ‘ye no remember me from St Leonards?’ Danny was taken aback, ‘you were a Lenny guy?’ The man smiled, ‘aye the year below you. I recall you going on the Easterhoose bus tae Parkhead, so I’m guessing you’re behind enemy lines today as well?’ Danny grinned, ‘damned right, I am. Stress city but going well for the Celts so far.’ The man smiled, ‘I’d take a draw before the game started but we might manage more today.’

Before Danny could reply, the toilet door opened and three men entered. The bearded man shook Danny’s hand and said quietly, ‘Eddie McGrory. Enjoy the second half mate and remember tae keep schtum if Celtic score.’ Danny winked at him. ‘You too,’ before heading out to the stand to watch the rest of the game. It was a dramatic second half in which a soft looking penalty got Rangers back in it before a deflected shot made it 2-2. Danny stood as the fans around him were going crazy, a fake smile on his face. He had barely resumed his seat when Celtic made it 3-2. Once more he had to subdue the urge to cheer. The game thundered on and a well taken goal from Rangers in injury time made it 3-3. It had been quite a day and quite a match.

As Danny followed his boss down the stairway, to the exit, an hour after the game, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Eddie McGrory smiling at him. ‘That was some game, eh?’ Danny nodded, ‘a fair result I thought?’ Eddie nodded, ‘I think it’ll all come down to the match at Celtic Park after the split.’ Danny grinned, ‘you going tae that one?’ Eddie, aware that others on the stairway were tuning in to their conversation, replied, ‘aye, need tae go behind enemy lines though.’ Danny smiled knowingly, ‘I’m sure you can manage that.’ Eddie shrugged, ‘ye cannae stoap a Lenny boy.’  They parted with a handshake at the exit onto Edmiston drive. ‘Catch ye later, mate,’ Eddie said. Danny patted his shoulder, ‘aye, might see ye oan the bus at the next home game.’ Eddie laughed, ‘aye, either there or the back row at the Benny on Sunday.’ Danny smiled, knowing the code they used would mean nothing to the milling crowd of Rangers fans leaving the game. The ‘Benny’ being common parlance for St Benedict’s church, in Easterhouse.

As he shared the taxi home with his boss, the older man said, ‘I take it your friend was a Celtic fan too?’ Danny shrugged, ‘aye, an old schoolmate.’ His boss smiled, ‘we should get back to the days when away fans had a decent allocation. But I have to admire his determination to get into the game.’ Danny looked at him, ‘will you get into see the match at Celtic Park?’ His boss smiled, ‘money opens doors, Danny. I’ll be there.’ Danny nodded, ‘fair enough. Your team is your team.’