SOCCER: Match day in the heart of Glasgow, and the smoke-filled, standing-only bars in the tough area of Gallowgate encapsulate the expectations of devotees for whom following Celtic is not just a religion, it is more than that.
This is the world Roy Keane has joined. In the crowded "Hoops" bar, the wall space is filled with icons of the past, but predominantly photo images of Henrik Larsson in the days when his head wasn't shaved and the dreadlocks danced in unison with his footwork. A giant Welsh flag, in honour of John Hartson, is attached to the ceiling alongside, of all things, a Tipperary hurling flag and the two seem slightly out of place among the Celtic emblems and paraphernalia.
Over the urinal in the men's toilets, there is a poster of the recently departed Chris Sutton turning away in celebration after scoring a goal. It's an old reminder, in need of replacement rather than repair with graffiti covering most of its tattered and stained artwork. "F***ing piss artist!" A fan is shouting at the poster and insanely punching it at the same time. They don't forgive perceived failings too readily in these parts, for sure.
This is the world Roy Keane has joined. A DVD of ballads by Charlie and The Bhoys, the self-proclaimed "number one Glasgow Celtic band in the world", which was recorded across the road at the Barrowlands, blasts out and, now, in the hours before Keane's home debut, the words of the songs are intermittently interrupted by blasts of that so-simple anthem in honour of the Cork man. "Keano!! Keano!!" The Irishman's arrival is seen as akin to that of a new messiah. The road to Paradise, packed with those completing the journey on foot, is filled with yet further indications that Keane's first home match is one of high expectations. The sellers of merchandise have been busy since Keane signed on the dotted line and pledged his final footballing days to Celtic. The different goods all tell the same story, more than hinting that the desire is to make him an iconic figure.
In these roadside stalls, Keane's image comfortably outnumbers those of the rest of the Celtic team combined. It is all about Keane. On one Irish tricolour, there is an arty image of him in Che Guevara pose. "Che Keane" is printed under the portrait. Other flags simply have the legend "Keano," robbed from their Manchester United terrace cousins and still others proclaim "Hail Hail Keano". Do you get the feeling they see him as a leader of men? This is the world that Roy Keane has joined, and the sell-out crowd at Parkhead greet his appearance onto the pitch for the pre-game kickabout with a roar that is more regularly reserved for a goal. His reappearance for the game itself leads to even louder acclaim in what is now a carnival atmosphere.
As the teams emerge from the tunnel, a synchronised movement from the fans packed into the Lisbon Lions Stand results in a montage of the Irish flag covering the entire stand to salute Keane's home and SPL debut. When he takes his place at the heart of the Celtic defence in front of the Jock Stein Stand, Keane is not deaf to their chants and gives the fans calling his name a quick wave of the hand.
In the bowels of that stand, there is a mural of the same Jock Stein. There are images of Stein as a player, and as a manager. There is also a quote, attesting to the fact that he never considered himself an "exceptional player" but an "ordinary" one.
To be sure, the Celtic team that Keane has joined is not an exceptional one, even allowing for their seven-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League table. One wonders what he privately thinks about Paul Telfer, the right back who lacks pace and was consistently exposed by the Kilmarnock players? Or Ross Wallace, the left back, who pulled out of tackles on more than one occasion? In many ways, it was a crazy old game. Six goals, which could have been more. Celtic two up inside 15 minutes and cruising were punished for indiscipline and a degree of ineptitude at the back. Stephen McManus gave away a clumsy first-half penalty, and Keane himself was culpable for allowing the Killies to gain the equaliser within six minutes of the restart when the Corkman, in attempting to shepherd the ball over the end line for a goal-kick, was uncharacteristically robbed of possession. The silence was only broken by the delirium of the couple of hundred Kilmarnock supporters squeezed into one tiny corner of the giant stadium.
As things transpired, all was well that ended well for Keane and Celtic. A 4-2 win in the newest icon's home debut, and a comfortable cushion over closest rivals Hearts in the league title race. But, as Celtic supporters dispersed from the stadium, it was with an acknowledgement that Keane's arrival may not be the full cure to all of their footballing ills. There is still a degree of ordinariness about them. It may need more than Keane to change that.
