Neil McCann recalls Celtic sectarian abuse

[ian1964 10,409]

on day Dundee paid tribute to his late father

Neil McCann has lifted the lid on the sectarian abuse he was subjected to on the day Dundee and Celtic paid tribute to his late father.

His dad Eddie passed away at the end of 2017 and both teams held a minute's applause for Eddie McCann before the Hoops' 2-0 win in the Boxing Day fixture.

But McCann has revealed he was STILL subjected to vile taunts from Celtic supporters at Dens Park during the contest and has suffered since the day he joined Rangers.

Sectarian abuse is a hot topic in Scottish football with Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke and striker Kris Boyd victims of disgusting chants over the past eight days.

Clarke and Boyd put on a united front at a press conference last week and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and chairman Dave King strongly spoke out against the perpetrators and believe there is no place in Scottish football for such behaviour.

The former Scotland international, who is a Catholic, believes he has always been a target for abuse because of his religion and the team he played for.

McCann, who won nine trophies during his time at Ibrox, admits now is the time for things to change once and for all.

The former Dens Park boss told BBC Sportsound: "Being Catholic and signing for Rangers was a big story.

"It wasn't just myself but my family were subjected to lots of abuse. It is unacceptable, it's totally unacepptable.

"I grew to ignore it and to be honest it's water off a duck's back, it doesn't bother me.

"But now we are in a situation in life where people are not ignoring it anymore. That goes for sexual orientation, gender and race.

"People are now saying 'enough is enough'.

"Now I've been subjected to all sorts and some of the shouts which have come off the back of it are pretty despicable and shouldn't happen - they have no place in the game of football and no place in the general public.

"There's not much you can do about it, it's difficult to turn when you're out with family - that's when it becomes beyond personal.

"That's when it hurts when you're with a member of your family, especially your children.

"Even when we held a minute's applause when my father passed away, we were playing Celtic on BT Sport.

"I was subjected to the exact same song that Steve Clarke got when Celtic scored their first goal.

"That happened then and nothing was said about it."

McCann admits despicable chants and taunts have followed him throughout his career but says the abuse hasn't been limited to just Celtic supporters.

He added: "It's not just one club here, it's not just two clubs - it happens at other clubs as well.

I've been called 'the hun' and an 'orange b******' and all the rest of it and I'm Catholic.

"When I played football I had no interest whatsoever in the religious set-up or anybody's ideas or gripes.

"I went to play football and chose to play for Glasgow Rangers and it was a huge honour to play for such a prestigious club.

"I have everything - I remember saying at the time I wasn't a Rangers fan when I signed but from that onwards I would become one because when someone is paying you to play for them then you give everything for that team.

"I would like to think the abuse that I take is purely for that fact that I have gone to Rangers, and I'm talking about Celtic fans directly, because I'm a Catholic and played for Rangers and I have some right that I shouldn't sign for that club and further my career."

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-mccann-recalls-celtic-sectarian-14052455

[Gonzo79 13,581]

That interview is reasonable and he comes across as a rational and decent bloke, who has made his comments in the cold light of day - unlike Clark, who resembles a kid throwing his toys out of the pram after a heavy defeat.  

 

I wonder if Tom English, Graeme Spiers or Bill Leckie will have much to say about it.

Edited February 25, 2019 by Gonzo79

[26th of foot 5,827]

Neil McCann is a true Rangers.

 

I loved him as a player, and I respect the man.

[Bill 13,717]

1 hour ago, 26th of foot said:

Neil McCann is a true Rangers.

 

I loved him as a player, and I respect the man.

Well said. A true Ranger.

[Soulsonic5791 408]

Well said Neil. As previous posters have mentioned, Neil McCann is a true Ranger. Why is he not back at our place in some capacity?

 

 

[der Berliner 3,231]

Would love him to be the one co-commentating on our games instead of Walker and Co.

[compo 6,107]

Let's face it if you're with one of the old firm teams it goes with the job , oh how I would have loved to bang in a hatrick and hear them chant your a dirty orange bastard it would have made me play even better  .

[Gonzo79 13,581]

I am distressed just thinking about someone calling me a H*n.  We need to make football grounds 'safe spaces' for gibbering wrecks.

[craig 5,195]

15 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

That interview is reasonable and he comes across as a rational and decent bloke, who has made his comments in the cold light of day - unlike Clark, who resembles a kid throwing his toys out of the pram after a heavy defeat.  

 

I wonder if Tom English, Graeme Spiers or Bill Leckie will have much to say about it.

Neil McCann would be a fine addition to our backroom team IMO - even if having to go back a step and take the reserves.  He is balanced, even-keeled, knows the game and speaks intelligently.

[craig 5,195]

16 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

I am distressed just thinking about someone calling me a H*n.  We need to make football grounds 'safe spaces' for gibbering wrecks.

That's the irony of it.  All this faux offence at some words... yet Celtic fans literally demolish a Spanish town and the media in Scotland are completely silent on it.