Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Kilmarnock v Celtic - Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland, Britain - April 16, 2023 Celtic non-executive Chairman Peter Lawwell in the stands before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
The sound of The Billy Boys will return to Celtic Park on March 16 as around 2,500 tickets are handed over to away fans for the Glasgow Derby.
It is almost seven years since more than 800 away fans have brought their brand of hatred and racism to the fixture but that will change in just over two weeks time.
The Billy Boys, specifically banned by UEFA in 2006 has been back in fashion for a few seasons with the SFA and SPFL both on mute which has provided Ibrox fans with encouragement to sing their song glorying in being knee deep in blood.
This morning Celtic announced:
We can confirm that following the previous SPFL determination from last year and with necessary requirements being addressed, away supporters will be present at the next two Glasgow derby matches this season at Celtic Park (March 16) and Ibrox.
Allocations will be around 4% of saleable capacity at both stadia. Further ticket information will be provided in due course.
Item 13 of the Celtic Park Ground Regulations states:
The use of disorderly, violent and/or threatening behaviour, and/or the use of foul or abusive language is strictly forbidden. Racial, sectarian, political, homophobic or discriminatory behaviour, abuse, singing or chanting is also forbidden and is considered as unacceptable conduct and may result in arrest and a ban from regulated football matches.
The development helps to explain what Michael Nicholson has been doing with his time over the last few months during which Brendan Rodgers was left with a lighter squad to tackle three Champions League ties.
One of Nicholson’s first big moves as Celtic CEO was to sign up for the Sydney Super Cup which would have strengthened Celtic’s association with a toxic brand that has twice had part of their stadium closed by UEFA as a result of racist singing.
Since the start of the 2018/19 season the away allocations for the Glasgow Derby has varied between 0 and 800 with most fans accepting that as the norm with the exception of matches at Hampden.
For a generation of Celtic supporters the atmosphere on 2/2/2022 sets the benchmark when Ange Postecoglou’s side won 3-0 in front of 60,000 home fans.
With segregation required for the match around 3,000 Celtic fans will be unable to attend the match to accommodate rival ‘supporters’.
As well as The Billy Boys Celtic fans will also hear The Famine Song and other chants of hate which the Scottish football authorities believe to be part of the atmosphere and matchday experience.
Are you happy to see 2,000 plus away fans at the Glasgow Derby
Yes, adds to the matchday experience
No, this is a massive step backwards
“Paradise is for Us” NOT
If you combine the number of theRangers SMSM scoops also inside Celtic Park to cover the Glasgow derby in conjunction with the 2500 tribute act fans in attendance ..that number rises dramatically to around 4000 …maybe more !
Very good Valentines – And probably true from what I read on here about what The Scummy’s Print !
celts are here site says its a triumph for celtic ? how out of touch can you get ?
Editor: I think that is their default to every club statement #succelent
So are Celtic welcoming racial hatred as they know these supporters will bring their songbook with them. Very educational for the children of Celtic fans at the game. But the board always put their **d f**m brand before anything else. Expect minimal signings in the summer to help them across the city stay in touch
Celtic board hang your heads in shame given into the butchers apron again no way should they be allowed into our stadium first after all they started ticket fiasco first
Utter insanity.. going backwards..
Get that wanker Nicholson tae f**k.
sevco unilaterally decided on the away tickets cut at ibrox.
Our club should have held off offering away tickets until AFTER our staff,
players and supporters have had an incident free visit to ibrox?
Our club could THEN have decided to end the away tickets ban for Celtic Park.
Board looks weak…?
What a photo of the 2 CHISLERS,laughing all the way to the bank.
The SFA KMI for the matches on 22nd & 23rd February has been posted.
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/media/12712/kmi-panel-outcomes-22-and-23-february.pdf
As expected, Maeda’s goal should have stood. CFC lost at least one point, and possibly three because of incorrect application of VAR instructions.
The DR is also trumpetting that Collum agrees that DUFC had a game-changing goal incorrectly chalked off on Wednesday in the match against Hibs.
How can anyone watching Scottish football have any faith in the officiating of matches even with the ‘comfort’ of VAR?
Will we ever hear of officials being disciplined over these ‘honest mistakes’? I wouldn’t hold my breath. What’s the point of Martin Atkinson?
I like the idea I heard proposed on a 20 minutes Tims podcast whereby there should be a league table for the referees/VAR based on performance in respect of the number of times they have been deemed to have made an incorrect call; who knows, we might see a guy like Alan Muir exposed and hopefully relegated.
Well hopefully the the celtic loudspeakers will flag up the ethnic and racial abuse by the klanbase and inform them that the chants must stop as they are malicious every time it happens, then hopefully send it off to UEFA.
A very fine idea Jim M indeed…
But hey-ho our CEO ? – Lord Lucan-Nicholson going forward with that…
Not a chance in hell – The coward is fuckin TERRIFIED of Sevco and always has been !
(If he exists that is) !!!
Celtic show their true colours.They are only interested in keeping the O.F. brand alive and well.If they had any spine they would have nothing to do with them in any way, shape or form.