WE'RE THE GREYING BRIGADE

Only An Excuse creator holds out the olive branch to Celtic's fan agitators and invites them to see a celebration of his golden generation in his new play

- BY PAUL ENGLISH

THEY'RE Celtic's chief architects of agitation and have become a divisive force among Hoops support.

Yet despite being among the generation dismissed by Celtic's Ultras, playwright Phil Differ has issued them a challenge - watch his play about ageing fans.

Only An Excuse creator Phil said: "I think they should come and see it because they'll maybe learn something about their own da's and other older fans." The playwright's show is called Celtic Da's, a wry take on the dismissive slur meted out by younger fans to write off the views of fans who own replica strips older than many Green Brigade members.

"When you find out what being a 'Sellik da' means, you realise it's considered an insult," he said.

"It's a young person's phrase for elder statesmen. It's scornful and sometimes used hurtfully, but there might be an admiration, jealousy or envy in it, because we've seen a lot more than they have.

"I realised a few years ago I must be a Sellik da. As far as I'm concerned, the dividing line should be whether or not you've seen the Lisbon Lions. But I know guys in their 30s called a Sellik da.

"So they can call that all they like. But I wear that with pride to be honest, as I saw the Lisbon Lions, watched them all the way to the European Cup Final that season in 1967.