Brendan Rodgers has defended his players right to celebrate and acknowledge the backing of the Celtic support.
This morning it emerged in the Daily Record that a Police Scotland report into the September Glasgow derby partly blamed Rodgers’ players for trouble among the visiting support.
As they do at every home match Celtic players applauded their fans at the end of the match which had been won by a second half goal from Olivier Ntcham.
Police Scotland decided to keep behind the wedge of 800 Ibrox fans who reacted with fury to the celebrations with many racing to the front of their section causing alarm among some of their disabled supporters.
Blaming Celtic players for the issues of visiting supporters seems far fetched, especially from a police force that reported security concerns with visiting fans to UEFA resulting in reduced allocations.
Brendan Rodgers “I think it’s unfair to put the responsibility of away supporters on to Celtic players” pic.twitter.com/S1kdP6Un38
— Tam Sellics son (@gibbogibby1) November 26, 2018
“When I first came in to Celtic, I said to the players that what was going to be absolutely critical for us is the connection between the players and the supporters,” Rodgers told STV. “That synergy is vital if we’re going to succeed.
“I made sure after each game – whether we win, lose or draw – we always acknowledge the supporters.
“They travel from far and wide, up and down Scotland, across from Ireland and from all over the world.
“It’s something we have always done, is recognise that.
“Whether we have won, lost or drawn, whether it’s against Rangers or Ross County away or Livingston or Hamilton, we always do it.”
He added: “It’s not so much a lap of honour in that last game. I think it’s unfair to put the responsibility of away supporters onto Celtic players.
“We show our appreciation and respect for the incredible support we get, our aim is never to provoke or antagonise any support.
“Especially the Rangers game, I as much as anyone understand the delicate nature of that.”
Last week Peter Lawwell told Celtic shareholders that he had some safety concerns over accepting tickets for next month’s fixture at Ibrox.
