The Spanish press quite like Celtic. When the club have played Spanish sides in European competition down the years there’s usually been positive reporting.
They’re not taking sides, it’s certainly not a case of the Spanish media picking Celtic over their Ibrox enemies Rangers, but there’s been a genuine warm feeling.
That has carried on ahead of Celtic’s match against Barcelona on Tuesday evening. The reporting had been positive, with Celtic, and especially Moussa Dembele, receiving many plaudits for their 5-1 demolition of Glasgow rivals Rangers.
Celtic’s fans were also receiving the usual praise, with Barcelona authorities expecting many to arrive with a party atmosphere, but there’s something which has somewhat punctured that.
As Rangers were beaten so well by Celtic at the weekend, some fans of the home team hung inflatable dolls from the stand, wearing Rangers scarves. It’s been taken by many as a reference to the death of Kris Boyd’s brother.
Kris Boyd is an Ibrox legend, having scored more than 100 goals for the club. His brother committed suicide, and the perceived mocking from some Celtic fans is generating bad feeling.
Whilst there’s a denial of that from Celtic fans, some onlookers still believe it’s too much of a coincidence, and even if not an intentional reference, the act was in very poor taste.
Cataln newspaper Mundo Deportivo call it a ‘shame’ upon the fans, and add ‘there are no words’ to fully explain the action.
They go on to say that after the actions by Rangers hating fans on Saturday, ‘Celtic and their supporters have lost mystique and charm’.
That will create huge frustration for many Celtic fans who were left disgusted by the actions, and rightly feel the fans who took part have damaged the club’s reputation.
