Apology required please, Ian...

[leithhillflyer]

...While as a Hibee and a Leither, i'm pleased that Rebus' footballing loyalties lie in the port, with the boys in Green & White (and slightly tickled that Ken Stott has to play him as such, and him being a well-known Jambo), it irked me somewhat to hear you describe the two teams as "catholic" Hibs and "protestant" Hearts on the BBC "One Show" tonight.

It kind of perpetuates the myth that Hibs and Hearts are some kind of "diet "Celtic and Rangers, and spoilt an otherwise excellent piece (in an otherwise unremittingly bland TV programme) about how you draw your inspiration from Edinburgh's dark underbelly that makes your books so enjoyable.

I write as a (lapsed) Protestant Hibs supporter, whose best mate is a (lapsed) Catholic Hearts supporter, and neither of the two of us see any contradiction between the two - but rail against sweeping generalisations such as the one you made tonight, and really we should expect better from you!

Bad show, sir

[Des' Dad]

Totally agree with my Hibernian colleague who started this thread. I was appalled to hear Mr Rankin state that Hibs were catholic and Hearts protestant. This shows a distinct lack of knowledge about football in the capital. It also panders to some of the brain dead people who follow the sport in particular the ones from the sectarian divide that is Glasgow. If he is in any doubt about this appalling blunder I would suggest Mr Rankin reads the response from Hearts supporters on their website:-
http://www.hmfckickback.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32480

[methilboy]

Ian,
As a Fifer like you who went to live in Edinburgh like you, I thought you would know better. Of course there is a religious side to each teams support but it is hardly as stark as you broadcast it to the whole nation. You painted it as "Hibs catholic Hearts protestant" with no recognition of the many supporters of both teams who are not of the religious persuasion that you assert. My protestant brother who is a Hibee would not agree with your generalisation.

[anne hargreaves]

Hi
Ref religion and football teams.
I am not clued up about Scottish teams apart from Rangers and Celtic but this applies to English teams as well.
Man Utd and Man City, Liverpool and Everton are 2 examples of teams that were originally on opposite sides of the religious divide.
Anne

[blackislejambo]

...While as a Hibee and a Leither, i'm pleased that Rebus' footballing loyalties lie in the port, with the boys in Green & White (and slightly tickled that Ken Stott has to play him as such, and him being a well-known Jambo), it irked me somewhat to hear you describe the two teams as "catholic" Hibs and "protestant" Hearts on the BBC "One Show" tonight.

It kind of perpetuates the myth that Hibs and Hearts are some kind of "diet "Celtic and Rangers, and spoilt an otherwise excellent piece (in an otherwise unremittingly bland TV programme) about how you draw your inspiration from Edinburgh's dark underbelly that makes your books so enjoyable.

I write as a (lapsed) Protestant Hibs supporter, whose best mate is a (lapsed) Catholic Hearts supporter, and neither of the two of us see any contradiction between the two - but rail against sweeping generalisations such as the one you made tonight, and really we should expect better from you!

Bad show, sir

As a life long Hearts supporter I am distressed to be tarnished by Mr Rankin's comments.

I have always enjoyed his books and, having grown up in Edinburgh, generally find them well researched, however, to suggest that Hearts - or Hibs for that matter - have a background of sectarianism is insulting and projects an entirely false view of both clubs.

It is true that there are, very small, vocal minorities in both supports that will try to perpetuate this falsehood, but it is certainly not true to say "Hearts - protestant, Hibs - Catholic" the truth is that neither club, neither fanbase treat religion as an important issue other than to try to even further marginalise the tiny bands of idiots whose interest is not in footbal but in narrow prejudice.

I do hope that Mr Rankin acknowledges that sweeping generalisations based on false premises do more harm than good and can insult a large number of people, who have no interest in religion, religious division or prejudice of any measure such as they vast majority of fans who swupport both teams.

[Well Red]

Hi
Ref religion and football teams.
I am not clued up about Scottish teams apart from Rangers and Celtic but this applies to English teams as well.
Man Utd and Man City, Liverpool and Everton are 2 examples of teams that were originally on opposite sides of the religious divide.
Anne

As a Liverpool fan and ex-Roman Catholic altar boy I have been called both a Proddy dog and a Taig in Scotland when I have had a football conversation.
It's strange as there is no religious basis to supporting these teams. I was born in the '60's in Liverpool and, as a child, I played with with both Catholic and Protestant kids: the main question was whether you were a Red or a Blue. Protestants supported both Everton and Liverpool, and Catholics supported both Liverpool and Everton. Everton played at Anfield first. It was an argument over rent that led to Everton moving ground and Liverpool FC being formed in 1892.

In the 1950's, before my time, there was a 'tendency' for Catholics to support to Everton as they had a few Irish players, similar to Sunderland nowadays. Perhaps this is where there is a perception of a religious element to supporting either team. My school was as Catholic as you could get but the 'absences' before a midweek away match when Liverpool FC were playing were almost routine. That includes a few teaching staff as well (vetted for their Catholic credentials).

Football is broader than Catholic or Protestant and it is encouraging to read about how the boundaries are blurred in Edinburgh. Sadly, it seems, football is now more about expendable income regardless of Protestant, Catholic, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim beliefs.

[Rodney]

In point of fact, Rebus has very little interest in football in the novels. It is the Sassenach Siobhan Clarke who is the die-hard Hibs fan. However, I agree that generalisations like this are divisive.

[MickyBlueEyes68]

A Sassenach maybe BUT Siobhán must have Irish blood in her otherwise her parents wouldn't have called her Siobhán which is an Irish form of Joan and means God is gracious. I have always assumed that this character is a Hibby to underline the Irish roots initially highlighted by being called Siobhán.

You should always include the fada above the 'a' otherwise technically the name is not pronounced "Shivawn" but "Shivan" as the 'a' changes from 'aw' to 'a' minus the fada.

Being an unrepentant Republican (Scottish and Irish) I have always been able to like the "Sassenach" Siobhán because A) she is called Siobhán (Irish) and B) she is a Hibby (Irish).

Cheers,

Cammy

In point of fact, Rebus has very little interest in football in the novels. It is the Sassenach Siobhan Clarke who is the die-hard Hibs fan. However, I agree that generalisations like this are divisive.

[rodneymarshall]

Rankin himself is a Raith Rovers fan but it has to be said that the same Hearts/Hibs generalisation is made in Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting.