Andy Walker says exactly how Celtic players should feel towards fan protests

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Celtic fans have made their discontent impossible to ignore.

Frustrations with the Celtic board, which stemmed from a transfer window in which Brendan Rodgers wasn’t backed adequately, have manifested in a number of fan protests so far this season.

These haven’t been addressed by the club’s hierarchy, but Rodgers has made it clear that he ‘absolutely understands’ the current fan sentiment.

The Celtic Fans Collective have announced more protests to take place at three upcoming home fixtures, in which many fans will remain silent for the opening periods of the games.

Some have raised concerns that the nature of the silent protests could affect the performance of the team – one pundit and former Celtic man has offered his thoughts

Andy Walker sets record straight on Celtic fan protests

Matches at Celtic Park are usually filled with noise – mainly coming from the club’s two main fan groups, the Green Brigade and the Bhoys.

These protests will see the groups remain silent, and could create an eerie atmosphere in the stadium.

READ MORE: Celtic man who has ‘vanished off the face of the earth’ leaves Hugh Keevins scratching his head

But for Andy Walker, this can be a further motivation for the players.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Walker said that players can’t rely on positive energy and constant cheering from the crowd.

He said: “If you’re playing in front of a crowd and they’re not happy, that can spur you into life.

“You don’t just get fed with people shouting your name and clapping you, and giving you applause all the time. You can get fed with a negative attitude – ‘our fans aren’t happy, we want to make them happy. We need to turn this around.

“And even that noise where they’re moaning and they might give you a bit of abuse, that can also spark you into life because you don’t want to hear it.”

Will the Celtic board react to fan protests?

Walker and other pundits have said that the Parkhead board will not be moved by the ongoing protests, despite an appetite among fans for change.

Rodgers has said that communication is a priority for the club, but actions speak louder than words. Fans need to see a clear willingness to change.

The Hoops boss himself has been critical of Celtic’s transfer process, but said that the struggles are not out of a lack of willingness from the club to invest.

If the board can give supporters what they want, then debates about the impact of protests won’t be needed at all.