Celebrating a goal with your fans must be one of the best feelings for a footballer to have at any level.
The emotion one goal can cause is indescribable. Whether it be a last gasp winner or even a goal against your fiercest rivals – it’s what adds excitement to the game.
It is something done with regularity across the pond in America, where you can bet on NFL football and celebrate with whoever you want!
However, the rules here are limiting players from embracing with their fans after they score.
For example, you will be cautioned for taking off your top in celebration and even if you have any contact with the crowd if you run into them. Its all in aid of ‘fans safety’.
I couldn’t disagree more.
Having just watched the match between Dundee United and Celtic, two Celtic players were booked for running into the crowd to celebrate their goals.
Take Miku for example. Coming on as a substitute for his seventh appearance for the club. Having not scored, the pressure of the fans, the manager and the media is all on his back. A few bad passes later and groans begin from the crowd. The 67th minute comes, he receives the ball from Tony Watt, takes two neat touches and lifts the ball over the keeper.
His first goal for Celtic, something he should enjoy, which he did by running into and involving the crowd. The joy on his and his team-mates faces is something unique about the game that you can never match.
However, he is promptly booked for this by the referee, Willie Collum.
But why? Health and safety for fans.
I still don’t get this rule put in place. I think the people who make these rules need to use common sense and realise what they’d want to do in these situations.
There were a few challenges in this match which went unpunished when the player should have been cautioned but weren’t.
But they are always quick to book players on these occasion.
I just believe that common sense should prevail and realise that players can get caught up in the moment and often want the fans to share their elation.
I mean, is that really a bookable offence?
‘Football without fans is nothing’. A quote by the late, great Jock Stein.
If that’s so, then why are we excluding them from celebrating with the players?
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