Celtic have unveiled some new merchandise that is unlikely to be a big seller.
The Hoops are back in the UEFA Champions League for the second season running. After defeat to Feyenoord in our matchday one clash, we host Lazio on Wednesday night.
It’s a great stage for the club to be playing their football, in so many ways. The group stage is amazing for the prestige of the club, the players, management and, of course, the financial department.
The retail team also has extra scope in European football’s premier club competition. With big clubs visiting Glasgow, they can entice supporters with souvenirs to remember the nights. Although they don’t always get it right.
Take this recent example. On Monday, the club’s official ‘Celtic FC Shop’ Twitter account posted an image of three half-and-half scarves draped around the railing of the Main Stand.
“Champions League nights at Paradise are back,” they tweeted. “Get set for the big games with our commemorative half-and-half scarves.” (@CelticFCShop on Twitter)
When clicking on the link, you’re brought to a page that indeed contains Celtic/Lazio, Celtic/Atletico and Celtic/Feyenoord scarves — all priced at just under the £20 mark.
While these items are well-intentioned and may pick up some sales on match days, the social media reaction is hugely negative. Half-and-half scarves are not popular among much of the Celtic support, as they give the impression we’re here to make friends rather than win matches.
While there is always a debate to be had there, the sight of joint Celtic and Lazio scarves is a much clearer issue. Lazio are not a liked club amongst the Celtic support, given some of the very questionable behaviour of some of their supporters, which included some making Nazi salutes as they walked through Glasgow in 2019. (Sky News)
In more on-the-pitch matters, Atletico Madrid are also a club many of us would not have a great amount of time for.
Again, this move from the retail department would have been well-intentioned. Nobody is setting out to wind up the Celtic support. But the reaction online suggests that the club need to read the room on these kind of things.
The scarves are unlikely to be big sellers for the reasons detailed above. With that in mind, you wonder if the social media reaction is worth it. One thing’s for sure, you won’t see many Celtic/Lazio half-and-half scarves on Wednesday night.
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