Hugh McIlvanneys article

[Gazza_8 233]

It's as if every Rangers fan is a baddie who spews out poisonous shite!!

 

Wild bulls in Pamplona by Hugh McIlvanney

 

The local fiesta of San Fermin does not usually take place until the beginning of April and in the liturgical calendar, normally precedes the solemnity of Holy Week, or "Semana Santa" as it is known in Spanish.

 

Regarded by many as a barbaric and cruel practice, the history of this event has its origins in pre-Christian times. The idea of running the bulls through the streets, is to give the local youths the opportunity to display their bravery and defiance to admiring senoritas. In what still remains a proudly macho land, Spain will not willingly surrender its traditions and customs to any European dictate from distant Belgium or Strasbourg.

 

Last night however, another set of barbarities were visited upon the local population when Rangers and their notoriously schizophrenic supporters showed up in town. I have to confess that I spent most of the afternoon in a pleasant little plaza, just off "La avenida de los borrachos" were most of the

loyal flock had assembled. It was a very enjoyable spectacle with the well oiled Scotsmen taking every opportunity to give vent to their wide repertoire of chants and anthems. The locals for the most part, viewed them with casual indifference and there was certainly nothing to suggest that the mood would change so drastically later in the day.

 

The small compact Osasuna cannot compete in size and splendour with Ibrox, never mind Celtic Park, but there was enough to suggest that the club and the local police had everything well under control.

 

What they had not counted on, was the inebriated and violent mob which somehow had transformed its[quote}elf from the amiable, passive congregation to be found in the narrow streets and small squares of the town earlier in the day.

 

They announced their arrival with a tirade of filthy invective which would have filled even the most hardened bull runner with dread. It was clear that some, if not the majority, had come to look for trouble. In the Glasgow parlance, they would certainly not be avoiding a 'squer go' if it came their way.

 

The fact that they had access to cheap alcohol and were in a predominantly Catholic country, did not help their mood. The notion that the local populace had in some ways set out to 'antagonize' their visitors is risible. That is what opposition supporters are for! If one or two Osasuna supporters chose to wear a Celtic jersey or wave an Irish flag, that is their prerogative.

The fact is that the problem lies with Rangers, who for some deep psychological reason, inherent in many of their followers are unable to see the taunting for what it was. Frankly, their subsequent behaviour can in no way be justified by a few young daft laddies waving a Celtic scarf.

The explanation is much simpler, Rangers supporters were looking for the excuse to riot and cause chaos.

 

It is ironic that certain high placed figures within Rangers are trying to insist that 'infiltrators' were responsible for the alleged excesses of Osasuna. I suggest they look more carefully in their own backyard before they start making unfounded and ridiculous allegations.

 

Rangers themselves have been infiltrated by far right wing political groups, who see the club as a natural magnet for their warped beliefs and ideology.

The club has a long and disturbing history in Europe, violence seems to follow them whoever leads the club or whoever plays in their colours.

Violence and intimidation are the two constants when Rangers 'do' Europe.

 

The Spanish riot police may not be the most politically correct body in the Iberian Peninsula, but no normal person could seriously question their tactics last night. Their job was to restore law and order and quell any possibility of murder and mayhem in the narrow, squashed confines of a small football stadium. They carried out their duties with consummate efficiency and aplomb and in the process prevented a potentially lethal situation arising.

 

As for the hard men among the Rangers supporters, I suggest that if they ever return to Pamplona, they avail themselves of the opportunity of joining in the bull running. This is something which the Spanish male sees as the ultimate challenge to his bravery. I somehow think that for most of the Rangers supporters we saw last night, it is something they would wish to avoid. Maybe they would feel safer running with the bulls and having safety in numbers. Sadly the herd mentality still triumphs at Ibrox.

[Frankie 8,148]

It's fake mate.

 

Had me fooled as well for a few mins.