Hoff 7 Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 I wont buy anything that britney has written in!!! But that is a good article, gotta applaud GS for sticking to his words. I always thought he was a decent guy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted October 12, 2007 Author Share Posted October 12, 2007 GORDON Smith is not the first public figure to be undone by comments which, when first aired or written, seemed unlikely to cause offence, and neither will he be the last. But a chapter he contributed to a book about Rangers FC, which aims to put "new perspectives on a Scottish institution", has inflamed an issue volatile enough to steal the re-born Scotland national team's thunder and at the same time jeopardised Smith's position as chief executive of the Scottish Football Association. The book, It's Rangers For Me, has already earned a measure of notoriety for the chapter written by Karen Gillon, the Labour MSP. Gillon, who represents Clydebank, admits having sung The Sash in her youth. Smith's "crime" is a lot less obvious. He recalls, in the chapter contributed before his appointment this summer as chief executive, singing the lyrics to Mull of Kintyre at supporters' clubs' functions because he didn't know the words to the songs he was being urged to sing. Hardly the admission of a prejudice-gripped bigot, his words are mostly well-judged throughout his contemplation, which is headed "It was Rangers for me". Note the past tense. Advert for Birmingham Midshire Savings Account There was no tradition in his family for favouring Rangers, so his Ibrox leanings were for football reasons. At an impressionable age he saw Jim Baxter play and was smitten, as many were. But his father was no lover of either half of the Old Firm, and forbade him going to any match between the sides. Indeed, as he admits in his autobiography, the first Old Firm match he experienced was the first one he played in for Rangers. Yet he has raised what some have referred to as a "storm" by stepping into the sectarianism issue. Clearly, there are many who would prefer he did not, despite his position at the head of football administration in the country. The most controversial element in his offering to the book's editors is an unexplored point about a perceived "agenda" against Rangers, but he also raises salient issues, including why Rangers must hide their roots when Celtic - rightly - can promote their own Irish identity? If his comments haven't helped him, then they have aided the publishers of the book. Having been initially denounced by Rangers fans as the work of the devil - their chief gripe is the identity of some of Smith's fellow contributors - the tome is now being hailed a masterwork. Smith seems unrepentant about remarks made months ago, and has so far refused to retract comments that have been revealed at a time when he should be focused on what could be the Scotland national team's finest ever achievement - emerging as qualifiers for Euro2008 from a group including France, Italy and Ukraine. But, while the timing is unfortunate, there seems little else for him to regret in comments that seem based on sound sense, something even Celtic fans must acknowledge. They know how stirring a European night at Parkhead can be when Fields of Athenry swells towards its conclusion. That many of their songs of devotion have been interpreted as an expression of romantic yearning is something Smith finds strange when compared to the reaction God Save the Queen elicits. Rangers fans singing the national anthem at games can hardly be deemed offensive, just incongruous. And no one can seriously think for a second that Smith, when stating "we have to be careful we don't become over-sensitive to it all", is sanctioning the singing of the more obviously abusive numbers in an Ibrox songbook that, mercifully, is in the process of being revised. There seems little evidence to declare Smith anything other than a reasonable man, whose experiences in the game stretch far beyond three years spent with Rangers. He played in Austria and England, and, of course, featured in an FA Cup final. He knows what it is like to be persecuted for something that is hardly a crime - missing that sitter at Wembley. It is perhaps why he feels some kinship with Rangers fans who complain of being repeatedly beaten with a stick when it comes to the sectarian issue. Both sides, he knows, need to have a look at themselves. Smith is merely pointing out that no-one holds the moral high-ground in this age-old argument, one which has frustrated him as he attempts to build on a promising start to his tenure. That he is having to explain himself in a week that sees Scotland take on Ukraine in one of the most critical matches seen in years at Hampden says everything about the social ills of the country he represents. Is Brian Barwick, his opposite number at the English FA, hounded about his allegiance to Liverpool? Does anyone even care, or believe he is compromised to the extent he is not able to carry out his duties? Had Smith's opinions been uttered by David Taylor, his predecessor who grew up in Angus, few would have been offended. It is not so much what Smith's views are, more what his background is. But his opinions should be welcomed as reasoned additions to a debate Smith is right to engage with rather than sweep under a carpet on Hampden's sixth floor - as too often has been the case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw69uk 123 Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 Loving it! Why should he regret it. Its good to see people telling the truth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
minstral 5,375 Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 just wish our club was as brave, and we must fight back so murray and your board of cowards begin the fight back or let us be left with nothing but our history and traditions, because soon there will be no pride left. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gid 46 Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 Fantastic article. And good on Gordon Smith for standing by his words. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_RFC87 761 Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 It's a good article. This book is certainly getting a lot of attention. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueIsTheColour 35 Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 Where did this article come from Boab? It is about the most truthful piece of writing i have seen in a while. Aside from RM of course. Wait, sack tha question, i just seen the title. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted October 13, 2007 Author Share Posted October 13, 2007 Where did this article come from Boab? It is about the most truthful piece of writing i have seen in a while. Aside from RM of course. Wait, sack tha question, i just seen the title. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza 21 Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Hopefully this has started the wheels in motion of some kind of fight back. Good article. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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