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)
Willie Haughey wants to see the Green Brigade back inside Celtic Park.
The ultras group has been suspended since the start of November with a very noticeable drop in the matchday atmosphere.
GREEN BRIGADE SUSPENDED
Only around 250 Season Ticket holders are suspended but the knock on effect has been huge.
Fans in the Standing Section behind the Green Brigade amplify their songs providing some life and lift to the team on the park.
Kieran Tierney, Julian Araujo and other players have commented on the impact supporters can have but as it stands a significant element of the Celtic support is on the outside looking in.
Haughey’s plans for the Celtic Season Ticket Alliance caught the headlines but there was more than that to his Go Radio appearance.
6 minutes 30 seconds
There’s 10 or 11 games to try and win a title, I think the club have been working with the Green Brigade. I think both parties are trying to get a compromise to get people back.
I think the sticking point may be a few individuals, right? So I spoke to some of the guys there and I know the Green Brigade want to get back.
But, and again, they need to know that whatever the club are saying -here’s the rules- but I would just like to get everyone back in the stadium.
The Green Brigade were last inside Celtic Park on October 29 for a home match against Falkirk.
Following that they were given a three match suspension, that has been extended and remains in place.
When Falkirk returned at the start of February manager John McGlynn highlighted the drop in atmosphere due to the lack of the Green Brigade.
Since the turn of the year fans of Utrecht and Stuttgart have out-sung Celtic throughout European nights.
Celtic are next at home on April 14 when Motherwell are the visitors with one more home match before the split.
If the SPFL title race is tight having a boisterous support for those games and the three post split fixtures could make a difference.
Brian Wilson has met up with various supporter groups in recent weeks but no progress has been evidenced.
The Interim Chairman has said that dialogue is ongoing. Wilson made his first appeal for unity on January 5 when Martin O’Neill returned as manager for the second time in three months.
Perhaps this Haughey intervention is not helpful at this time: just a distraction?
The club issues remain and have to be addressed.
Anything else – like this scheme [?] – should be put on the back burner for now?
I don’t see why Haughey thinks this will quell unrest, He wants to give Millions of ££’s worth of shares to the Trust ? who MIGHT in a few YEARS(!) be able to get a fan on board !!
While I do think the fans should raise the pressure on the board even more, how about a giant banner “ACCEPTABLE to WHO ??” If Wilson thinks Nicholson is doing a good job despite his many mistakes he is clearly miles out of touch with reality
This looks more like a board manoeuvre the more I hear from lord Haughey. Firstly the Green Brigade have to accept any conditions placed on them if they want back in, which could be a trap as the board do not act in good faith. Also this new trust just to maybe get a fan on the board sometime in the future looks like no change to me. Kicking the can down the road. We need more information. No point in getting rid of one mob of rich establishment men to replace them with another.
Anything to encourage fans to buy their season tickets.
Divide and conquer …anyone !!
Just pay attention to the timing of this it’s very deliberate.
Stay united and sack the board !!! They are responsible for this mess and division within our Club.
Sounds as if he wants the best for Celtic !