3rd May 2026; Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Brian Wilson, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay of Celtic
Celtic turned to their favoured Statement template as they meekly accepted punishment from the SFA.
A passive 173 words were produced in reaction to the SFA’s decision to broadly stand by the disciplinary sanctions.
Both clubs involved will have to play their next Scottish Cup tie Behind Closed Doors with the away team paid £100,000 compensation for missing out on gate money.
In the Scottish Cup tie staged at Ibrox a Celtic employee was physically assaulted on the pitch with missiles fired into the Celtic support.
Security for the match was entirely the responsibility of the home team.
After the match Celtic waited four full days to respond with some comments from Brian Wilson included in the once monthly Supporters Update.
The tone of tonight’s statement is in total contrast to the statement released about some tennis balls earlier this month.
CELTIC- WHERE SILENCE IS ALMOST ALWAYS THE STRATEGY
Clearly the club is passionate about tennis balls on a golf course. Issues involving fans, attacks on employees are met with a lukewarm reaction.
Tonight’s statement is a box ticking exercise, saying and doing nothing as Celtic again bow to the SFA.
@CelticFC But you’ll do nothing about it
— Joe Miller (@joe_averagejoe) October 29, 2026
It is unprecedented for an away club to get the same punishment as the home club in a disciplinary matter.
Celtic’s passive attitude on everything has rebounded on them.
The failure to demand action after broken glass was found in Joe Hart’s penalty box. No comment on Arne Engels being felled by a lighter, or when glass bottles have been thrown at Matt O’Riley and Vil Sinisalo.
Not that passive approach is going to cost the club.
After this incident a normal, functioning club would come out on the front foot, standing their ground.
With Michael Nicholson as CEO Celtic fans can expect the exact opposite with open season on the club.
Nicholson hasn’t said a word in public since sharing his excitement and enthusiasm for Wilfried Nancy on December 17.
@CelticFC Pity you weren’t so vocal when our players and staff were assaulted at Ibrox, spineless except when it affects their bottom line ?
— Paul Fitzpatrick (@PaulFit29488863)
@CelticFC Would’ve been better if it was Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson’s resignation as well as a new management team.
— A?? (@adthelad57)
@CelticFC Grow a set and withdraw from the tournament !! Would actually do us all a favour not having to watch the poorest organised side in years , could maybe get the coaching staff on a refresher course on those days ?
— paul connolly (@pmconnolly63)
@CelticFC @colnrodgers Prob still get charged from the HCTS for that 1st home game ?
— Glasgowbhoy1 (@D7M1888)
@CelticFC A Celtic Football Club statement will make us happy one day
Today’s not that day ? https://t.co/u78WqzapqB
— The Honest Celt?? (@HonestCelt)
@CelticFC @cfcnewsroom When are you going to grow balls and fight back ? https://t.co/aYsGJzd9yK
— neillybhoy1962 (@neillybhoy1962) October 29, 2026
@CelticFC @eddie_toner Tell the SFA to shove their cup and withdraw. Never heard of the away team being held responsible for crowd safety and a very dangerous precedent. If the home team is not responsible then Celtic should not be attending any away games.
— Cuchullain (@Cuchullain2505)
@CelticFC Celtic being punished for the ineptitude of police Scotland and the ibrox so called security.
— Neil (NEERU)????????? (@mcfadzean_neil)
@CelticFC thought we sacked someone for a minute, had my hopes high
— j3 (@juleszeraa)
@CelticFC Its a diabolical decision to punish celtic in this way while the home team receives pretty much the same sanction. Whos ultras are easily identified and the club has taken no action against them whatsoever
— REOs Gumshield (@HOGHSPEACOCK) October 29, 2026
The Celtic board are a disgraceful spineless lot…..excepting same punishment as the home team and not standing up and telling the SFA to go f**k themselves, if Fergus or John Reid was here they would tool up and never allow this to happen…..our fans, players and staff where assaulted at the bigot dome and not one word, Joe i say again…….there must be a reason why our board lies down time after time and never defend our club,