Barriers go up as Celtic seal off Billy McNeill statue

Celtic have barricaded off the Billy McNeill Statue as they prepare for next Sunday’s Glasgow Derby.

The Scottish Government have raised concerns over whether the match will go ahead but nine days in advance Celtic are taking no chances and preparing for the worst.

Putting up the barricades won’t be cheap and will require regular security as the clock ticks away towards next Sunday’s match.

Two Glasgow derbies have passed off without any major disorder but the events of last weekend at Ibrox and George Square showed that even Police Scotland are unable to cope with a determined mob.

The SPFL will be desperate for the match to go ahead as scheduled with the four derby matches central to their broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.

Another derby match has to be scheduled after the split with the possibility of the two clubs also facing each other in the Scottish Cup before the end of May.

In football terms the two remaining SPFL matches are meaningless but clearly the authorities and Celtic are bracing themselves for the worst despite the match being played in an empty stadium.