Celtic and the Green Brigade are on a collision course following the events of Wednesday night against Linfield.
There has been a number of flashpoint incidents over the years but there seems very few fans willing to defend the fans group.
Putting Brendan Rodgers’ image on a banner with paramilitary connotations, as the manager himself stated, has crossed a line. Although the club magazine had a similar style front page a few years ago the circumstances on Wednesday are very different.
Without doubt the Green Brigade provide a welcome heartbeat for Celtic Park but equally their tendency to push at limits is now having a negative impact on the progress that the club is making.
Rodgers has steered well clear of supporter issues but today stated: “It’s really disappointing that we are talking about stadium safety and paramilitary banners rather than our progress into the next round of Europe.”
That really ought to be enough of a warning, Rodgers is an exceptional diplomat and is clearly delighted with what he has found at Celtic Park.
There is plenty of room for compromise, strict stewarding of banners coming into the ground would help, but the ball is in the court of the Green Brigade to be the lovable rogues rather than the outcasts of Celtic Park.
