Linfield chairman Roy McGivern respects Celtic’s decision to decline taking supporters to Friday’s Champions League qualifier in Belfast.
In order to allow the home club to celebrate their hatred of Catholics the match has been put back to Friday with all other Champions League qualifiers take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Celtic have never played Linfield before with their stadium a rallying point for the sort of attitudes that brought Celtic to life in the late 1880s.
After enjoying a week of celebrations the home support are certain to be in full voice celebrating their ‘traditions’ when Celtic arrive at Windsor Park with no visiting fans present.
Reacting to Celtic’s decision not to take tickets for Friday’s match McGivern told Belfast Live: “I think as a football fan you want to see fans of both clubs getting the opportunity to go to the game.
“I think Celtic fans wanted to come to Windsor on Friday. The fact that so many fans are on our doorstep in terms of so many supporters club, it makes it difficult and I do have sympathy for them but you have to respect the wishes of their club and we wouldn’t want to go against those wishes.”
Tickets for the match are still on sale from Linfield, on Saturday less than 2,000 fans turned up for Linfield’s pre-season friendly with Hearts.
It’s believed that a large number of Celtic fans based in the six counties have bought tickets for the match with PSNI believed to have a plan in place to house ‘neutral fans’ who happen to favour the visitors.
Linfield have been given 1,500 tickets for the return leg in Glasgow which denies their Scottish based supporters the chance to attend the match.