GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Celtic fans tifo display during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on September 01, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
A high powered meeting at Hampden last week failed to come up with plans for Glasgow to cope with football fans celebrating the successes of their club.
Celtic were represented at the meeting alongside local residents and Glasgow City Council with the hoops a maximum of three matches away from being crowned as champions of Scotland for the 55th time.
Pre Lockdown there were no mass celebrations for winning football trophies but over the last three years Celtic fans have gathered on the Trongate, around Glasgow Cross and the Gallowgate to celebrate the title winning achievements of their team.
Despite advance notice no additional wheelie bins or toilet cubicles have been put in place, presumably the city Council feels that would encourage fans to get together to celebrate.
The celebrations have brought public transport to a standstill, it appears that a new approach is being taken but as The Herald reports no agreements have yet been laid down.
No plans have been put in place ahead of expected celebrations at the end of this year’s football season despite a “productive discussion” last week.
At a meeting at Hampden Park on Friday, March 28, MSP Kaukab Stewart brought together community councils for Merchant City, Trongate and Calton and representatives for Celtic FC, Rangers FC, the SPFL, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council in a bid to avoid the ‘disruption’ seen in previous years.
Residents were given the opportunity to tell clubs about their experience of anti-social behaviour from unofficial parties in Trongate and George Square, which have seen thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.
However, despite agreements “more should be done” to encourage fans not to gather in the city centre, no plans have been put forward ahead of an expected gathering at the end of the season next month.
Stewart said: “I convened a meeting with local community councils, the Scottish Professional Football League, Rangers FC and Celtic FC along with Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council to discuss how to stop a repeat of the terrible scenes that have taken place in Glasgow city centre in the last few years following the conclusion of the Scottish Premier League.
“We had a very productive discussion with local residents being able to tell their real life experience directly to the clubs and it was agreed that whilst celebrating the success of Glasgow’s football clubs is important and indeed welcome, the scenes and disruption that has been experienced by residents and businesses was unacceptable.
“It is clear that putting a solution in place is complex, as there are a number of factors that have to be taken into consideration. However, I was pleased that there was agreement around the table that more should be done and that further discussions will take place to look at long term plans, which will include local residents and the voice of the fans.
“I am reassured that further discussions will take place and that together we can work to improve future celebrations.”
Celtic have three more home matches to play, against Kilmarnock on April 12 plus two still to be announced post-split fixtures, they could also be involved in the Scottish Cup Final on May 24.
This whole issue was created by the Authorities in particular the police , the SFA and Rangers FC when they sat on the sidelines smirking (metaphorically) in the lockdown year when they allowed the Rangers fans to “March” to George Square and riot together even although it was against lockdown rules at the time and had been well communicated by Rangers fan groups they intended to do so after winning the title for the first time. This situation is a direct result of that cowardice by the authorities and will now be a yearly event the public will have to suffer annually……..they own it !!
If only there were big open spaces near football grounds in Glasgow. Unfortunately the council think it would be difficult to create spaces in Glasgow green or Bellahoustan park. It’s not as if they areas host large scale events on a regular basis. Forgive my sarcasm but both these areas offer a simple fix and could actually generate revenue for the city. Why do our politicians hate football fans?
Mark. Football in general throughout the world is an amazing wealth generating industry which has grown incredibly in the last 20-25 years …..except in Scotland where it is led by Neanderthals with a vision that ceases to exist past 1690?? ….Seriously though to demonstrate this in one example we have an industry that prefers NOT to maximise its sales by preferring to have empty seats in stadiums rather than selling their main product i.e bums on seats …. Theirin might lie the problem you’re sarcasm highlights
Just as well that Sevco win feck all…otherwise they would be telling everyone how they want it organised…especially the Polis.
Ah well then Trongate party it is then…
Take plenty booze (Whisky in The dire Iran brew bottle in ma case)…
Take plenty water bottles – Scoosh yer Celtic supporters friend group only – not Celtic supporters you don’t personally know of course…
But everybody please, please, please with water…
LETS ALL SCOOSH THE POLIS…
LETS ALL SCOOSH THE POLIS…
HA HA, HA HA – HA HA, HA HA !!!
‘Tis not an offence these days ya know (Cerny’s law) c.2025 Scottish Polis Alba Act Section 88 (mins) !
Edit = * Whisky in the DIET not dire and IRN not Iran brew bottle as it reads !
Why are sevco involved in discussions about celebrating winning trophies ? I can see the baton charges up the gallowgate now.