Soccer Football - Scottish Cup Semi-Final - Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - April 16, 2022 Hibernian fans inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
You would be hard pressed to find a more dosile, risk-free fixture than Livingston visiting Celtic Park on a bleak winters night accompanied by driving wind and rain.
No more than 200 visiting fans bothered to make the journey with no history of trouble between both sets of supporters, Livingston don’t even have a local rival to drum up grievances with.
Yet, for reasons completely unknown a massive line of stewards appeared towards the end of the match- as if they were anticipating a pitch invasion.
I don’t recollect being taught the collective noun for stewards at school but “shambles” seems apt judging by their antics around the perimeter at the Celtic – Livingston game tonight.
Where’s staunch steward when you need him? The answer can be found about 15 tweets below. pic.twitter.com/K4BAF9nNRC
— The Fast Lovin’ Sin-Soaked Heathen (@fast_sin) February 1, 2023
By the time the stewards ringed the area in front of the North Stand there was probably around 30,000 fans inside the stadium. The platforms at Dalmarnock and Bellgrove Stations were more likely to see congestion or problems.
Celtic cruised through to the final whistle on a 3-0 victory, their 12th successive home win in the SPFL to maintain their nine point lead as they chase a second successive league flag.
I thought they were auditioning for the next Minions movie
They did the same for the St.Mirren game recently.
Was in the Family Section.
More and more stewards came out to ringfence maybe 150 Buddies?
Even had stewards positioned inside each of the seat rows,
just a few seats along from the nearest fan.
Wife and I were confused: seemed unnecessary – and intimidating – for the away supporters?