The rumoured appointment of Bernard Higgins to a senior security role at Celtic is one that brings a significant section of the support together in opposition.
When Celtic drew 0-0 with Livingston the first half hour was played in virtual silence as the Green Brigade showed their opposition. The Celtic board said nothing.
Away to Dundee the match was held up when tennis balls were launched onto the pitch, the message being that the ball is in Celtic’s court over the issue. Afterwards there was no comment from the Celtic board.
Yesterday they had to comment when they made their once a year visit to face shareholders. Jeanette Findlay of the Celtic Trust was first to raise the issue to enormous applause and cheering from the room.
Covering the subject during the Q and A The Sun reports:
During the question and answer section of the AGM, he was asked: “Recently there has been strong murmurs that the club are looking to appoint Bernard Higgins into a senior security role.
“Will the board rethink that? And before we get a stock answer, can we get an assurance from the board that they will NOT appoint someone who had a massively negative impact on the mental health of many young Celtic fans back in 2012. To appoint him into any sort of role would be a massive slap in the face to those fans.”
Bankier replied: “It won’t surprise you to know that I am not going to give assurances on what would be an operational roles. I am not giving any assurances, not for today.”
To calls of “shame” from the floor, Bankier added: “What I will re-iterate, health and safety at big arenas is a massive issue.
“It’s a big topic, it is high level, it is strategic. It is not a role that polices Celtic fans, that is not the role we are seeking to fill. When we are ready to announce it, we will announce it.”
Celtic Park is a very safe football stadium, the only security incident since the stadium was rebuilt in the eighties was in September 2018 outside the stadium following changes introduced by the police for the Glasgow Derby.
Q2 about appointment of Bernard Higgins#ticagm
Cannot comment on ongoing recruitment process. (Answer booed)
H&S at big arenas is a massive issue and involves interacting with govt agencies. It is not about policing fans.
— Celtic Underground (@celticrumours) November 17, 2021
Get that bankier out of our club before he does anymore damage he’s a blue pound grabbing bastard just like the rest on the board not interested in the fans they take more care of the scum at liebrox rats and tory rats on our board.
Bankier is such a weasel, typical tory scumbag. No to any former polis working for us.
The stadium was rebuilt in the nineties btw…