It is one of the most iconic sights in European football. As the two teams gather in the tunnel the PA is switched on as Celtic fans rise to sing You’ll Never Walk Alone, an expression of hope for their European dreams.
Last night there was an addition to the scene with hundreds of Palestine flags around the stadium in addition to the corner which houses the Green Brigade.
Over the previous fortnight the statements between the Green Brigade and the Celtic Board had been going back and forwards.
Statements of defiance and support on social media from the Ultras group, very specific and detailed leaks to The Sun and the Daily Record from deep inside Celtic Park.
In the 24 hours before the match kicked off the statements were intensified, there was never any prospect of either side taking a step back.
— Tam sellic son (@TamseIIicsonIII) October 26, 2023
Now, they will both await the consequences with the Celtic board holding almost all of the cards. There will be no Green Brigade ticket allocation at Easter Road on Saturday but there will almost certainly be many flags of Palestine in among the away support.
Celtic are at home to St Mirren next Wednesday, the media hounds are waiting to see if the Green Brigade are in their usual places, if they are the spotlight turns on the Celtic Board- which is something that they are never comfortable with.
Last night was a magnificent gesture of support and solidarity for all people suffering from oppression throughout the world and particularly to Palestinians to let them know that there is hope and justice for all,are our Tory board going to ban everyone who held up a flag at the game.Celtic Park will be empty for StMirren game,it’s about time that this board should take note.We got rid of one Board,we can certainly do it again last night was a show of our clubs ethics and what we were started for HH long live GB for continuing to show were our heart and morals should be
If flags do not get Celtic into trouble with the tournament organisers then last night’s flag display should not be a problem…
However if it’s gonna cause Celtic trouble then it is very much a problem indeed –
I doubt those under bombardment in The Gazza strip area will neither know nor care much about any flag displays or lack of flag displays in far away Glasgow to be honest…
Perhaps swapping the cost of many flags towards financial donations to humanitarian aid funds would be a better option for anyone with a passion for Middle East politics !
I’m definitely not a flag shag type fella and if I had the choice of buy the flag or buy the
folks under siege in the war zone vital aid supplies I’d rather buy them aid supplies any day of the year !
The Arab world are very much aware of the support given by Celtic fans. I have just returned from China where I worked with BeIn Sports to cover the Asian Games. One of the journalists there was from Palestine, whose family are currently under bombardment in the Gaza strip .. He is (lucky for him) safe in Doha and from there he sent me this message last night on Whatsapp “I saw it brother
Every time I see something from Celtic I feel we are not alone
I’m Celtic fan forever “