There is a possibility that our Celtic man, Camilo Durán, might miss tonight’s match against Benfica in Lisbon because his wife is expecting a baby.

And do you know what?

If that is the case, I sincerely hope he gets all the time he needs to be with his wife and welcome their precious little one into the world. No questions asked, no explanations required and certainly no apologies to anybody.

Because, believe it or not, there are things in life considerably more important than football.

Yes, even more important than Celtic.

I say that as somebody whose heart beats green and white, whose emotions can go through the roof during a match and whose mood can be dramatically influenced by what happens on that football pitch. I know the passion, the frustration, the celebrations and, occasionally, the absolute fucking madness that comes with supporting Celtic.

But I also know where to draw the line.

And perhaps that is precisely where some people need a little lesson.

Of course I want Celtic to beat Benfica tonight. We are talking about a European fixture, an opportunity to test ourselves against quality opposition and another chance for this team to show that it can perform on that stage.

Naturally, I would love Durán to be involved if he is available.

But if his wife is giving birth? Camilo, stay with your family.

Celtic can wait.

There will be another football match. There will be another training session. There will be another opportunity to pull on that famous green and white jersey.

The birth of your child is different. That is a moment you do not get back.

And I genuinely cannot understand why anybody would have a problem with that. Except that I know some people do cause I’ve been reading their rubbish online. “He should remember who pays his wages …”

Eah what? And that gives us the right to his whole life?

What exactly do some people expect from footballers? Are they supposed to put their entire personal lives on hold because they happen to earn their living kicking a ball? Are they expected to leave their wives during one of the most important moments of their lives because somebody has put a European fixture on the calendar?

Come on. Professional football is demanding. Players have responsibilities, contracts, supporters and managers who need them available. Everybody understands that.

But professional obligations do not magically erase family responsibilities. A footballer is still a husband. He is still a father. He is still a human being. Sometimes the most important thing he can do has absolutely nothing to do with football.

What irritates me is the way some people behave online whenever anything happens which might inconvenience their football team.

A player misses a match. Somebody has a poor performance. A manager makes a questionable decision. Suddenly the internet turns into a courtroom where everybody has appointed themselves judge, jury and executioner.

Some supporters seem to forget that footballers have lives outside the ninety minutes we watch them on television.

And when it comes to Durán, there should not even be an argument.

Yes, performances matter. Results matter. I will happily analyse Celtic, criticise bad football and point out when players have failed to meet the standards expected of them.

That is completely different from expecting a man to sacrifice one of the most important moments of his family life for our entertainment. If Durán misses tonight because his wife is giving birth, that is not a failure of professionalism.

It does not demonstrate a lack of commitment.

And it certainly is not an invitation for keyboard warriors to demonstrate how little perspective they possess. My English-teacher verdict on this one is straightforward.

Context matters. Perspective matters. Basic human decency matters.

You cannot judge every situation exclusively through the narrow lens of football results. Human happiness cannot be measured in goals, assists or Europa League points.

Camilo Durán may have the opportunity to be present for the arrival of his child.

That is precious. He should not feel guilty about being there for his wife, and nobody should attempt to make him feel that his commitment to Celtic is somehow questionable because he puts his family first.

Being a Celtic player is a privilege and representing this club comes with responsibilities. Being a father is a responsibility of an entirely different kind.

You cannot postpone it until the final whistle.

And I sincerely hope Martin O’Neill, his teammates and virtually every Celtic supporter understands that. O’Neill can prepare another player. He can alter the team. He can make tactical adjustments and find the best possible solution for Benfica.

That is his job. Durán’s job, if his family needs him tonight, is to stand beside his wife and welcome their baby into the world.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I want Celtic to succeed. I want our players to fight for every ball, show character when things become difficult and demonstrate the mentality this club deserves.

But I also want us to remain human beings.

Football gives us extraordinary emotions. It creates memories, brings people together and becomes part of our identities. For many of us Celtic is more than simply a football club. It represents history, tradition, belonging and family in its own right.

But even the most passionate supporter must recognise that football remains one part of life. Durán could score a massive goal for Celtic next week. He could become a hero at Paradise. He could deliver some wonderful European performance later in the season.

There will always be another chance to play football. There will never be another first moment with this child.

No goal is worth asking a man to miss that.

No three points are worth making him feel that he has somehow disappointed supporters by being present for the birth of his own baby.

And if somebody genuinely believes otherwise, perhaps the problem is not Camilo Durán’s priorities. Perhaps it is theirs.

So, from me, there is only one message for our Celtic man.

Support your wife. Welcome your baby. Enjoy every second of it. Take whatever time you need. We will still be here. Celtic Park will still be standing. And the internet will, unfortunately, still be full of people arguing about absolutely everything.

But your family? Those are the people who matter when all the noise disappears.

A football result can make your evening.

Family can change your entire life.

No sensible person should ever confuse the two.

Hail Hail, Camilo. Family first. Always.

Choose The CelticBlog as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the news you value.