Celtic send in the heavies to deal with dissident fan

The panic inside the Celtic boardroom is being reflected in the treatment of supporters in the front section of the South Stand.

After being almost anonymous for the past four years Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay are finding themselves uncomfortably in the spotlight of fan anger.

Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell are used to being the targets of discontent but it is a brand new experience for CEO Nicholson and CFO McKay who are expected to have taken out the best part of £2m in wages and benefits for the year to 30 June 2025.

The South Stand doesn’t house the most aggressive or mouthy of Celtic fans but it seems that anyone criticising the Celtic board is likely to find themselves on the receiving end of heavy handed stewarding.

Such as the incident below.

The clip above doesn’t show the incident in full but it is clear that the fan is walking away from the Directors Box when he is grabbed by the stewards.

Police Officers can certainly operate in that way, matchday stewards can use ‘reasonable force’ to eject fans which is very subjective, especially on a fan clearly walking away from whatever had happened. Training levels for stewards is a major concern.

Generally they are viewed as people to assist supporters, to diffuse and explain situations, when there is the threat of violence it should be passed to Police Officers.

Season Ticket holders paid £35 for last night’s match, non Season Ticket holders paid £45 for the 5.45 kick off. Next up in the Europa League is a home match against Sturm Graz on October 23.

Celtic are at home to Motherwell on Sunday with the atmosphere likely to be tense, the following day Nicholson and McKay will gold a face-to-face meeting the the Celtic Fans Collective.

CLICK HERE for UEFA report on Celtic v Braga match.

CLICK HERE for Chris McKay laughing through Braga defeat.