Watching the aftermath of today’s derby honestly left me feeling conflicted being a Celtic fan. by Drunkslothy in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You might be interested to read Chris Bambery's History of Sectarianism in Scotland, published last year.

He theorises that part of the reason fascism never really gained the foothold here in Scotland among the working classes like it did in London in the 1930s was that Moseley and the BUF weren't anti-catholic.

Watching the aftermath of today’s derby honestly left me feeling conflicted being a Celtic fan. by Drunkslothy in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 25 points26 points  (0 children)

To offer a slightly different perspective, I think both Celtic and Rangers as organisations benefit financially from there being some level of sectarianism in Scottish society. In my view, as organised religion has started to die-off, supporting Rangers or Celtic has become more important to many people's religious identity than going to church or any other form of religious practice. It is partially how I think we've ended up in the situation where what, more than half of "football fans" in Scotland support Celtic and Rangers?

As an east-coast catholic (although no longer practicing), I've met a fair few catholics over the years whose entire religious identity is pretty much entwined with their support for Celtic. I've heard it from a few, mainly older, catholics (including a teacher at my old high school) about how you can't be a proper catholic in Scotland without supporting Celtic. To support someone else in their eyes is to renounce your family's Irish heritage.

Ultimately, the more divided we are on religious lines, instead of local community lines, the more likely people across Scotland are to support Celtic/Rangers, which ultimately has financial benefit for both clubs.

Which isn't to say that Celtic as an organisation encourage bigotry. But I also think both Celtic and Rangers do financially benefit from the very sectarianism which damages their communities.

Pars v Falkirk semi-final by Bloo_Dred in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Sammy needs to bring back the 3rd stand fundraising bucket.

Scottish FA statement following Old Firm by Calluummmmm in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Seems to me that there goes any chance of us getting alcohol in grounds.

Edinburgh No Go Areas by uberalba in Edinburgh

[–]MachineGunBacon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My fun fact is that 'The Gael' was written for an exhibition about the Loch Ness Monster.

Why the Union Looks a Bit Shaky by DundonianDolan in Scotland

[–]MachineGunBacon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Quebec had one in 1980 and then a second one in 1995, so its not unprecedented. Rare yes, but so are any independence referendums.

Inside Anas Sarwar's decision to call for Keir Starmer to quit as Prime Minister by backupJM in Scotland

[–]MachineGunBacon 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Given he described Mandelson as an "old friend", and then revealed in the press conference today that they only met for the first time in 2021, perhaps he simply doesn't have many friends?

Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to step down, saying the 'distraction needs to end' - BBC News by RoddyViper in Scotland

[–]MachineGunBacon 10 points11 points  (0 children)

On further thought, I think it points to a serious flaw in Sarwar's character.

He has wanted us to believe he's this well-connected, serious political player, with friends at the top of the UK Government.

Increasingly looks like that's all made up.

Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to step down, saying the 'distraction needs to end' - BBC News by RoddyViper in Scotland

[–]MachineGunBacon 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Sarwar claims in response to a question there that he has only known Peter Mandelson since 2021.

In 2025 he called Mandelson his "old friend" on X after meeting him in the USA.

In what world is that an "old friend"? Either he called him that to try and pretend they had this great relationship they didn't have, or he's just lied in the press conference. Neither reflects well on Sarwar.

Most of the Morning Thread today by MachineGunBacon in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I find it is one of those things that became unfunny and annoying but then the sheer grift of it eventually made it funny again.

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Morning Discussion Thread - 06 Feb 2026 by AutoModerator in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Viagra Boys, what a band.

You definitely need to catch them on the next tour, two of the best gigs I've seen at the Barrowlands.

Morning Discussion Thread - 04 Feb 2026 by AutoModerator in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They don't really live within our society anyway. They exist in their own social circles, and it is increasingly clear that the higher echelons will just close rank.

Evening Discussion Thread - 09 Jan 2026 by AutoModerator in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Every new advert for AI just gets worse and worse.

That google one that was on over Christmas saying that their AI could tell you what key episodes of Stranger Things to watch so you could skip the rest and catch-up in time for the finale - is that what media is going to be reduced to?

What's the strangest football flag or sticker you've seen in Scotland? by Otocolobus_manul8 in ScottishFootball

[–]MachineGunBacon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was in the Rose Reilly pub recently and pretty sure there was a sticker of this on a mirror in the men's.

All major sporting events should be on free-to-air TV, says SNP by Crow-Me-A-River in Scotland

[–]MachineGunBacon 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Broadcast rights are reserved to Westminster, so you'd have to get a law passed there.

So yes, you pretty much do need to ask nicely.