GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 16: Peter Lawwell, Chairman of Celtic, Dermot Desmond, Non-Executive Director of Celtic, and Michael Nicholson, CEO of Celtic, are seen in attendance prior to the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The spotlight is all on Celtic after the club from Ibrox announced that the Union Bears won’t be accepting tickets for next Sunday’s Glasgow Derby.
The announcement came after the SPFL backed Celtic’s request to exclude the Ibrox ultras from the fixture. The Union Bears issued a statement at the same time.
Why Celtic decided to highlight ‘one section of the Ibrox support’ will remain a mystery.
Fans invaded the pitch from three home stands on March 8 to attack opposing players, staff and fans.
Television footage of the incidents showed around 500 fans on the pitch. So far 15 arrests have been made.
From the images the Union Bears were on the pitch but were in a minority.
CELTIC PLAYERS, STAFF AND FANS ATTACKED AT IBROX
The fan that attacked a Celtic staff member was 47 years old and came out of the enclosure.
Violence comes from all angles at Ibrox. It isn’t unique to the Union Bears.
This afternoon following the SPFL announcement it was Statement O’Clock from Ibrox.
In light of the SPFL’s decision, the Union Bears have volunteered that they do not wish to be included within the club’s ticket allocation for this fixture.
Only a complete idiot would believe that tickets won’t go to the Union Bears. Directly or otherwise.
Michael Nicholson has been Celtic CEO since September 2021.
In February 2022 he signed Celtic up for the Sydney Super Cup. The only ‘achievement’ on his CV has been getting a 5% away ticket allocation for the Glasgow Derby.
A decision bonding Celtic closer to the only Scottish club sanctioned by UEFA for the racist activities of their supporters.
Celtic are now expected to hand over 2,200 tickets having been given the assurances on who won’t be getting those tickets.
Nicholson hasn’t said a word in public this year. He hasn’t commented on the violent attacks on employees at their place of work.
Now the hoops are obliged to hand over 2,200 tickets to a support that was on the pitch attacking Celtic employees on March 8.
A support that has the Copland Stand at Ibrox under a suspended closure from UEFA for racists banners.
All on the watch of Celtic’s silent £17,000 a week CEO.
— Union Bears (@UnionBears_07) May 2, 2026
Yeah very coherent , almost sensible, until the end ‘ no surrender’ Fuc—n animals
Celtic were always going to give the full
Allocation if the condition was met .
The pressure is now on the police regards the onion bears .
It is telling however that the yanks are more than happy to allow the onion bears to be portrayed as good ragers men ,sacrificing their right to attend for the good of the sevco support, instead of the right wing racist thugs they are .
I think we can now safely say that the new owners have no intention of cleaning the toxic element from the new club .if anything they are more than happy to stoke the fires of hatred