Celtic, a club in turmoil: ‘Threats’, protests and a coach under pressure two weeks into the job

“Glasgow, Friday: three miles east of the city centre lies Celtic Park, the stadium where a Scottish sporting institution, Celtic Football Club, have been playing home matches since 1892. Outside its main entrance are three statues: one of the club’s founder, the Irish priest Brother Walfrid; one of the great winger, Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone; and between them the club’s greatest manager and immortal figure, Jock Stein. On the base of the Stein tribute is one of his most famous quotations: ‘Football without the fans is nothing.’ On huge banners hanging beside the Jock Stein Stand are reminders of the club’s eight domestic Treble-winning seasons and another Stein quote from 1967, when they became the first British team to win the European Cup (today’s Champions League): ‘We did it by playing football, pure, beautiful, inventive football.’ Across from this history is the modern football world — the club’s superstore. At Christmas you can buy Celtic baubles to hang from your tree and Celtic crackers to lay on the table, all sold beneath a slogan: ‘You don’t play for Celtic. You live for Celtic.’ …”
NY Times/The Athletic