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The Celtic Way
(by TheHumanTorpedo)
While winning was naturally the key objective, style was as important as substance. In the robust days of football’s formative years Celtic retained a physical edge but in contrast to the kick and rush game favoured by many teams they often offered a more refined style of play, one which emphasised skill as well as strength .
From the mesmerising dribbling of Sandy McMahon to the majestic passing ability of Jimmy McMenemy, Celtic brought wizardry and panache to the hurly burly of the football field.
They attacked and entertained and it was this approach to the game which won the early Celtic an increasingly large army of supporters from out with its traditional Irish-Catholic heartlands. Indeed the supporters identified this as football ‘the Celtic way’ and there would now be an eternal demand for every Hoops side to not just win, but to win with style.
From generation to generation the Celtic support has come to expect entertaining, attacking football and the team has often delivered. Under the chairmanship of Robert Kelly there were tales of how defeated Celtic players were given bonuses because they had turned in an attacking an exciting performance. Likewise victories were met with disdain if the team had not performed in the expected ‘Celtic Way’.
Critics will point out that there have been ample times when Celtic has failed to live up to these standards, when the football was anything but exciting or entertaining. That cannot be denied. But while there have been periods when the club lacked the talent to produce football the ‘Celtic way’ there has remained, among fans, an insatiable desire for the Hoops to play the beautiful game.
While many supports simply want winning football the Parkhead faithful will always aspire for something more.