Passion play

BY this evening, the Mayor of Seville may be reduced to a quivering, trembling wreck. Estimates that 50,000 Celtic supporters have travelled to Spain for tonight’s UEFA Cup final are considered conservative by the most seasoned followers of the Bhoys.

With a great deal of authority, some claim 80,000 will be knocking around the Spanish city. Others are mentioning 100,000. By way of a little context, Glasgow Celtic FC received 17,000 tickets for tonight's final. It's not just Seville that will be decked in green and white tonight. In the smallest corners of this country, in pubs and clubs and living rooms, people will gather to live every moment, feel every tackle, kick every ball as animatedly as Martin O'Neill on the sideline. The European adventure of the grand old team reaches its crescendo this evening and this nation, almost as one, will be cheering them on.

What exactly is it with Celtic? Why do they arouse stronger passion in their supporters than any other club (bar possibly, Rangers), passion so powerful that one fan, John McQuillan, has already entered a mythical realm for a 10-flight, 62-hour and 48,000 journey to finish in Seville this afternoon. Naturally, he doesn't have a ticket.