Brendan Rodgers is saddened by the issues that have surrounded Celtic’s potential trip to Belfast to take on Linfield.
After four days of debate it was announced that the match would be switched from July 11 or 12 to Friday the 14th with Celtic declining to take any tickets for Windsor Park.
Fans have debated the issue furiously with some Celtic supporters preparing to travel to the city with the huge Celtic support in Belfast denied the opportunity to see their heroes playing in their home city.
Linfield face La Fiorita of San Marino tonight in the first round qualifier but the prospect of returning to Ireland and playing in front of no Celtic fans is one that saddens the Celtic boss.
“My general feeling is that I understand the issues that can be around it but Northern Ireland is a new place from when I was growing up,” Rodgers told the Daily Record.
“The sadness for me is that this was maybe an opportunity for the police and those there to show what the new Northern Ireland is. Because it is, it’s totally different now.
“You go to Belfast, to some of the great parts of Belfast, and it’s totally different. It’s a real vibrant city now with people coming together with the politics happily removed from a lot of it. It’s two communities coming together in all facets of life, with the biggest one being in terms of sport.
“I understand the issues around it but there will be a sadness for me because I saw it as a great opportunity to show – if the game was to take place – that two teams can have fans who can support and be passionate but live and support together.”
Celtic kick off their own preparations for the Champions League qualifiers tonight with a match against RW Linz followed by three more friendlies before facing Linfield on July 14.