They have spent a not inconsiderable amount going to Italy to follow their side. I think it is unfair to define these people by these acts
Well you would because you're mental. Most people's definition of a 'supporter' doesn't include damaging their club by exposing them to possible bans, fines and behind closed doors matches.
Mental for classifying people prepared to spend their money following their team around the continent as supporters. Incidentally, tickets are distributed by the official partner of the club, Thomas Cook.
I'm tired of your constant battle with everyone sensible person on here just to prove a backwards way of thinking is acceptable in the modern world Reb. There is a shred of a human being in you and when he's here I quite like him. If anything your presence on here shows its only a small minority of celtic fans who are only there for the offending of others. Goodnight Reb!
So because they spent some money travelling to a game does that mean they have carte blanche to behave as they feel? I'm afraid that does not wash Reb, they may have paid good money, fair dues to them for that, but by their actions other people may forfeit the right to travel to future away games, they are taking the choice away from the whole fanbase.
A supporter is someone who provides support to their club. Even you will find it difficult to dispute that, but I'm sure you'll try. Support can be financial, moral or practical but is always something positive. Indulging in behaviour that damages the club, either its finances, performance or reputation, has a negative impact on the club. It is thus diametrically opposed to 'supporting' the club. People who indulge in this damaging behaviour can not, therefore, be classed as supporters.
I just said that Celtic sell their tickets to away trips via their official travel partner in Thomas Cook. This is a commercial venture that has been very beneficial to the club. To the frustration of many over the last couple of years, this has been the only way to get to away european ties. Therefore, I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest that these people absolutely fit the criteria to be classed as supporters which is why I have no difficulty whatsoever in calling them supporters. I didn't hear anyone say that the guy who racially abused Diouf wasn't a Celtic supporter. In fact many positively delighted in the fact that he was a Celtic supporter. I found that extremely unpalatable but nonetheless, he was a Celtic supporter.
I never said it did give them carte blanche to behave as they please. I just said they were Celtic supporters. I have heard, even today people saying that Lawwell's various actions are not those of a Celtic supporter. That doesn't fit for me either. I don't think the banner was a particularly bright idea. I don't think the flares were a particularly bright idea. Equally, I don't think Lawwell cracking jokes about mystery bidders for Jelavic, funny as it was is a particularly bright idea after throwing away three leagues on the spin. I don't think Lennon mocking the spelling of those who make banners, the same group that offered him huge support during a particularly traumatic time last season is particularly bright. All of these people are pulling for their vision of Celtic. However inarticulate, however stupid. They all support Celtic and all wish nothing but success for the club.
I don't want to offend anyone. That is never the point of getting involved in these discussions i don't think my way of thinking is backwards at all. I am certainly misrepresented in a lot of these discussions. I think I am pretty clear. If I am not, then I apologise These people support Celtic. Whether I like how they do it or not is immaterial.
They wish for nothing but success for the club? No I think not, because by their recent actions they have shown that they are willing to get the club into trouble with UEFA.................... AGAIN. They seem to think that they are somehow on a different level to us mere mortal Celtic fans. "Their" opinions, "their" right to vent their spleens, "their" right to display childish and provcative banners, "their" right to hold two fingers up to every other supporter, that's all that seems to matter to them. For the sake of pedantry I will agree that they are "supporters" but this particular group of wastrels are intent on getting the club into trouble with UEFA. That's the problem with these "supporters", it's "Pavarotti" syndrome, me me me me. There was nothing on the banners that lent "support" to Celtic FC, the flares had no symbolism which suggested "support" for Celtic FC and if they get Celtic landed with another fine (or a ban), will you still argue that they wish "Nothing but success" for the club? Their actions were self serving and selfish, hardly the actions of people with Celtic Fc's best interests at heart.
I only argued that they were Celtic supporters. There is an argument about the flares creating an atmosphere that facilitates the creation of a better atmosphere. But I'm not going to have it because I don't necessarily agree with it. I see the same thing is happening to you on another thread. your credentials as a Celtic supporter are being called into question because you don't meet the conspiracy criteria. I don't agree with that either.
To be honest, criticism from harry and Superhoops is of no concern to me Reb, I don't have to prove my support to anyone far less those two brain donors, I am merely pointing out that the actions of an element of our fanbase affects the "whole" of the support, that is an indisputable fact. These few miscreants don't care about everyone else, only they (like harry and hoops) seem to think that they have the best interests of Celtic at heart and everyone else can go **** themselves. For all the difference it makes these few supporters may as well start making up the next banner to read "**** everyone else".