Celtic does have that faux-Irish identity, strangely I have known a couple of Army lads who follow Celtic.
Ironic given the sizeable section of Celtic fans who despise Britain, the British Army (’cos of NI) and are sympathetic to the IRA. Last year, a section of Celtic fans unveiled a banner attacking the wearing of poppies. As they did it a couple of days before Rememberence Sunday, the story went ‘down south’ and many English and Welsh people were appalled. No doubt Rangers gained a few new fans that day across the UK....
Then again, a friend of mine is a Celtic fan who raises money for Help For Heroes. But he is a minority. Celtic do have a pro-IRA, anti-British support.
Of course, the punchime is that 90-95% of that group are ‘plastic paddies’ as they are called, thats Glasgow/West of Scotland Celtic fans whose 19thC ancestors were Irish, but who have never been to Ireland, yet behave ‘more Irish than the Irish’. The actual Irish think they are a joke.
Do they still allow Rangers fans to sing “We Are The Billy Boys” at matches?
But from what I hear, it’s actually more dangerous to be in Belfast during a Rangers/Celtic match, than to be in Glasgow.