Only hours after the Justice Secretary tells Scotland’s football clubs that he will act if they don’t, to root out the ‘vile cancer’ of sectarianism, the Express suggests that a Celtic player is mocking Rangers. Here is what he said:
“The gap at the top certainly helps,” he told Four Four Two.
“You can go into the game very comfortable, but even though we don’t need to win, we want to win and we want to win convincingly, that’s for sure.
“Our league lead allows us to go into the game with a little more comfort, and allows us to play our game, especially at home.”
“Before I came to Celtic, I was very aware of the Celtic versus Rangers fixture,” he continued.
“This game is talked about and discussed and analysed all over the world.
“Everyone knows it’s one of the biggest derbies in club football, and it’s a highlight for me to be part of.
“I really can’t wait to feel the atmosphere, especially at home, I think that will be great.
“Hopefully we can win this game, no matter if I start or not, and hopefully extend our lead at the top of the table to 13 points.”
Now maybe I’m under-sensitive but I see no sign of mocking anywhere there, only fairly calm, objective observations from a professional who cares little for the madness that can ensue in matches such as that today.
The Express would no doubt argue that I’m being over-sensitive to their choice of words, but we all know that it takes little to cause real offence in this context. See:
Readers will note the above balance.
Footnote: Jeremy Toljan is a German youth international eligible to play for both the United States and Croatia. Whether he is Catholic or Protestant is not mentioned thus limiting the full potential of the Express headline writer.
Talking-up Scotland 
Mr Toljan has made a statement of FACT, not a ‘mocking’ one. With 7 games to play and 10 points ahead, Celtic do not have to win this match. This headline is journalistic mischief making.
Another point, unrelated to the fitba is that The Express is now owned by the Daily Mirror Group. Have you noticed any change in the Tory supporting, anti EU, racism, anti Islamist, strident British nationalism, anti trade union stance? This supports the view expressed to me many years ago by a neighbour who was Father of the Chapel for the National Union of Journalists at the Daily Record, that the Mirror Group’s support for Labour was simple marketing – there was a niche in the market. The Express has always served a very reactionary, unionist, Protestant, elderly sector of the market. Under the new ownership, it continues to do so.
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Interesting. My Labour voting Irish father-in-law bought the Tory Express because the Labour Daily Record was ‘a Rangers paper’!!!!
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When they have nothing to say but need yltp say something to get the great unwashed to buy the rag tomorrow. They say shite.
Twas ever thus. We didn’t either bother to read it and if we did ee never gave it critical analysis.
Damn that good free education.
No longer sheep we are. (Yoda)
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Agree I do you pal with.
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20C here today 👍🥂
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Wow!
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20C here today 👍🥂
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Sectarianism is a pot the British nationalist politicians/media like to stir. Not so much in N Ireland where there might be repercussions, but its “OK” in Scotland.
“The Queens Eleven” Scottish Tory cretins call one team. No doubt they have a name for the other one.
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Most people in Scotland are not remotely interested in sectarianism but a sizeable number in the football world allow their allegiance to a football team to be used and wrapped up in a parcel of sectarian hatred violence and drunken idiotic behaviour every week.
Its about time something was done about it but it won’t be because the newspapers ,bbc stv and other political party,s would have a field day twisting the facts and turning the good into baaad, it will be done quicker and easier once we are an independent country.
Once Scotland is independent the Scottish government will take great delight in punishing football clubs pubs clubs newspapers magazines tv radio etc for their encitement of sectarian hatred and violence.
It will be so easy for the government to end it once we are independent.
Roll on.
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Reblogged this on seachranaidhe1.
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