I have no idea what happens to clubs if they refuse to give their opponents a ticket allocation. I know it’s in the SPFL rules, but I have no idea what the punishment is for those sides which do not do so.
But whatever it is, we should be willing to test the resolve of the governing body if the need to do so arises.
Because tomorrow the Ibrox fans come to our stadium on the back of their shameful behaviour at both Ibrox and Hampden.
They have 700 or so tickets. It’s a small number, but that small number can produce a toxic atmosphere.
They can break seats. They can sing racist and bigoted dirge. They can fight with the stewards and throw stuff at our fans and players.
They have done all of this in the course of this campaign so far.
I was down in London this week, and I spoke to a lot of the bloggers and writers and podcasters from other clubs, and I was amazed that many of them had heard of an incident at the Motherwell ladies match a few weeks ago, where an Ibrox fan group turned up although their team wasn’t even playing, and they caused mayhem.
That story got played down in the media … but even down south, football fans were talking about it and know that it happened.
I hear rumours that it was to do with some feud with the Motherwell fans, but to attack women and kids in the name of their vendetta was a low act even by their shocking standards.
That shows you what we’re dealing with.
In light of all this, our club should be having a word with their board and letting them know in no uncertain terms that if there is any trouble tomorrow that their fans will get no tickets whatsoever next season, and we should be perfectly willing to take the SPFL on over the matter.
The fact is, the governing bodies have failed lamentably to punish Ibrox for the behaviour of its supporters, and this has only encouraged their shocking behaviour.
Celtic should therefore take the responsibility for protecting our fans, our stadium and the players and management team.
We should let Ibrox know that any misbehaviour will draw a response from us, and we should let the governing bodies know, in advance, that they have the summer to put in place a serious system of sanctions … or we will act independent of them and dare them to do their worst to us.
Who has the slightest doubt how that debate would play out in the public domain? Scotland’s chattering class would be forced, finally, to confront the Ibrox problem or take their side over Celtic, and I don’t think that’s a public argument Ibrox will win.
All of us are sick and tired of the cowardice and inertia of Hampden.
All of us are sick and tired of the club from across the city thinking it can throw its weight around, and thinking that its goonish fans should be allowed to sing what they like, throw what they like and do what they like without there being a single sanction.
If the SPFL doesn’t want to enforce its rules on them, we should force them to enforce the rules on us and let’s see who wins the PR war.
Nobody else is prepared to draw this line in the sand, therefore in my opinion it is down to us.
I am sure the toilets will be wrecked as well
Scotland needs a Glasgow Derby.
If there isn’t one?
The followers will cause mayhem in city and council areas.
Can you imagine how much people will be without the derby pandemic being in Glasgow.
They will be pushing the HELP button constantly.
Councils don’t want that problem.
Keep it at the public football side and when the next incident happens we will follow the same steps.
Wait for the next one, then follow the same steps again.
Celtic won’t and don’t do anything cos we are knee deep in the 5WA and Sevco know this hence they do as they please without fear of rebuke.
Don’t be surprised to see the 700 minority cause severe chaos tomorrow with a possible pitch invasion should the game run away from them.
The police are who Celtic should be having a word with. Why are we paying these people? If any damage at Celtic Park tomorrow, Celts should withhold money until perpetrators are found. HH
Fukin Set aboot the SCUM BASTARDS & LEATHER THEM!!
James think your living in a bubble our board are a disgrace have been since 2012
The d.o.bs are well organized. This is down to their orange halls and ludges where they meet in groups, organize in groups, and wander the city in groups. When is the last time you have seen a single hun walking alone, very seldom have i seen one after a Glasgow derby, the shitebags are always mob handed.
Beware and be on yer toes tims.
if it is indeed “down to us”….then good luck wi that….the spineless cfc board stand up for us…? you fcukn kidding ?
After the shame of the george square riots the second one defied belief that no one in authority be it police or government were brought to book was a dark day in scottish society. The complacency of the media in a so called free press was insulting to journalism.scotlands media shame.
This is an absolutely disgusting piece of sh*t you have written here. It sounds to me that you would be delighted if sevco fans come tomorrow and cause mayhem so that you can point the finger at them.Shame on you for that.Are you trying to incite trouble?
I enjoy reading and contributing to this blog and you have written some great articles but this is total nonsense
Have you been on the disco biscuits again my friend in Celtic?
That poison should be nowhere near Paradise they are the most bigoted, hate filled perma raging filth on the planet! They bring nothing but hate to the table and everyone knows it! Let’s go win this league today and CELTICBRATE ????
Well said, both that and the refereeing problems should be pushed during the summer by the Celtic board. What we experienced during the season was shocking both on and off the field. Celtic board need to be proactive over the summer and engage with other clubs in a united front to tackle these issues. If not, there will be worse to come both on and off the field
100% Agree they should be held to account so should any club actually when there supporters cause Damage to another teams Stadia, also fo vile Racist Songs
On the subject of fan behaviour what’s the response to Celtic fans fighting with each other before during and after the game today.