[ad_1]
Former Celtic star Alan Thompson says he did not sing about the Irish Republican Army while firing up a crowd of Hoops fans at a Celtic fan event in Las Vegas.
The Record reported how Thompson was filmed dancing on stage, alongside fellow former player Bobby Petta and actors Martin Compston and Gianni Capaldi.
In footage widely shared across social media, the four were dancing to Daniel Boone’s 1972 hit Beautiful Sunday at the NAFCSC Celtic Convention in Las Vegas and encouraging the crowd to get involved.
However, fans singing around them changed the lyrics of the song – adopted as an unofficial Hoops anthem – to “Irish Republican Army” and “IRA”.
Thompson, wearing a white shirt, was seen whipping up the crowd with his fellow stars while holding a pint glass aloft in the clip.
The footage was met with furious backlash on social media.
But the former midfielder has told the Record that he is not sectarian and did not change the lyrics as he sang – insisting that the choice of others to adapt the words was outwith his control.
He told our reporter: “There’s no need to comment.
“I had a great night with great people and none of us on stage ever have or ever will be sectarian.
“We can’t control if other people change lyrics to a song. End of story.”
(Image: Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Nevertheless the video has sparked anger among some social media users, who accused those singing the modified lyrics of glorifying terrorism.
One Twitter user said: “My brother in law, a serving police officer was murdered 25 years ago today. He left three little girls aged 11, 8 and 5.
“The IRA man walked up to him and pumped bullets into the back of his head as he was doing community policing. You are a disgrace.”
Line of Duty star Compston, who was seen beating his chest and jumping in time to the music, has already denied singing the modified lyrics.
He took to Twitter on Thursday to say he “unequivocally did not sing ANY sectarian songs”, adding: “I’ve worked in Belfast too long to see damage done, to think this stuff is a laugh.
“If people want to change lyrics to a song that’s sung at Celtic Park, weddings, Still Game, wherever, that’s up to them – I’m not the lyric police.
“If it was an IRA song and I was onstage bobbing along I would understand the story but I’m pretty sure Daniel Boone had nothing more than Beautiful Sundays in mind when he wrote the song and that’s what I was singing.”
Thompson played for Celtic between 2000 and 2007, making 158 appearances and scoring 37 league goals.
He also played for teams such as Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa, and moved into coaching following the end of his player career.
Neither Bobby Petta nor Gianni Capaldi, who locked his Twitter account after the story broke, have responded to requests for comment.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
[ad_2]
Source link
