John Reid, the Celtic chairman, used yesterday's annual general meeting to once again condemn the singing of the Famine Song by Rangers fans and said it was up to the police to take action.

Addressing shareholders at Celtic Park, Reid branded the song “vile, vicious and racist”, while urging the authorities to take the necessary action against those who continue to indulge in offensive chanting at football matches.

The Famine Song - sung to the tune of the Beach Boys' hit Sloop John B - is aimed at Celtic fans who claim Irish heritage and includes the line “The famine's over why don't you go home?” in reference to the famine in Ireland during the 1840s.

But Reid also appealed to Celtic fans to practice what they preach by using self-policing to eradicate what he described as “the tiny minority” who still bring shame upon their own club.

“The police have a very difficult task in all respects, not just footballing,” Reid told a media conference after the AGM. “And I don't think anybody should be giving operational directions to the police about the judgments they make.

“There is offensive chanting and singing going on and our position on that is quite plain. We believe that some of that is very offensive and I would encourage anyone who hasn't read the song, however distasteful it is, to read it and see that we are not over-reacting to it.

“It's up to others now. If this transgresses the law, it's up to others to take the necessary action whenever they can. It's not for us to carry that forward.”

Celtic have worked hard to eradicate offensive behaviour within their own support and their efforts were recognised with the Uefa Fair Play award following the Uefa Cup final against FC Porto in Seville five years ago.

Reid now believes “peer pressure” is the best way to deal with the small minority who continue to tarnish the club's reputation. “The vast majority of our fans are not only conducting themselves in a way that is acceptable to the club and football authorities, but in a way which is lauded and congratulated by the football authorities,” he said.

“They [the fans] have the right to say to the tiny minority, particularly at away games, who are blemishing that image, 'Don't do this - that's not the Celtic way of doing things.' However much you police these events, however willing we are to take action - as we have done at Celtic Park - the best way to do these things is through peer pressure. It's a more effective way of doing it because it's not a scripture handed from on high, it's your fellow fans saying to you, 'Enough is enough.'”

Reid added: “Celtic, in its name and its origins, was about the unity of different people from different backgrounds. That's why the name Celtic was chosen - a name which didn't divide but which united the Scots and the Irish initially. That leads on in the modern world to being a more inclusive form.

“We've got to practice what we preach and that's why I'm glad this has come from the supporters themselves.”

Meanwhile, Peter Lawwell insists he has no regrets about rejecting a lucrative move to Arsenal to remain at Celtic, insisting: “I made the right decision.”

The Celtic chief executive was headhunted by the Barclays Premier League giants and reportedly named on a two-man shortlist along with Paul Donovan, of Vodafone, after Keith Edelman left the Emirates Stadium. However, Lawwell claims the lure of Celtic was too strong and has pledged his commitment to the Scottish champions for the foreseeable future.

“I was flattered and honoured to be associated with a club like Arsenal,” he said. “I think it's a compliment to the club as well as myself. I'm committed to Celtic and I thank the chairman, Dermot Desmond and the other board members for their support over that period. It was clearly a massive decision for me to make personally but I've no doubt I made the right decision. I'm committed to Celtic, Celtic is my club, and I look forward to hopefully being part of Celtic for many years to come.

“I don't think I would describe the decision as heart or head. There was a lot to take into account and, at the end of the day, staying with Celtic is what I wanted to do. It's my club.”

John Reid, the Celtic chairman, backed Lawwell's decision and, speaking after yesterday's annual general meeting at Celtic Park, added: “It was also what the board, the supporters and the shareholders wanted, let's just make that plain.

“I think it is a matter of pride at Celtic that we have people at the executive level that other very big international clubs want.That's what happens when you've got success. I can't say it was a surprise but Peter is a a hugely valued member of this club and this team, a very important part of it.

“We are delighted that Peter is here and continues to be an important part of building success for the future the way he has been over the last few years.

“I think it speaks for itself - Peter has been such a successful chief executive here that one of the few top clubs in the English Premier League decided they would like him to be chief executive.

“We knew Peter's heart was here. He's a Celtic man, he remains a Celtic man, and I'm delighted with that.” (PA)