Charlie Mulgrew has told Celtic to reinstate the Green Brigade after a sobering defeat to Stuttgart.
In the Europa League knockout round play-off, Martin O’Neill’s side were picked apart by the German side, on a night which was equally damning on and off the pitch.
Another Celtic fan protest which delayed kick-off was held in response to a lack of progress from the club in meeting supporters’ demands, which include reinstating Green Brigade and Fan Media outlets.
Reacting to the game on Premier Sports Ireland, Mulgrew said: “It’s a real sad night, because Stuttgart never felt the Celtic Park atmosphere – full-scale, intimidating atmosphere – that I’ve played in myself and felt.
“It can take you to another level, and it’s just not there. The way that things have went this season, right throughout the club, it was never going to be there tonight.”
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Charlie Mulgrew reacts to Celtic fan protest
The Green Brigade have become the traditional soundtrack of Celtic Park over the last 15 years, and many have commented on the quieter atmosphere in the stadium.
After the game, O’Neill strongly came out against the protest, saying that those involved ‘needed their head examined’.
READ MORE: Jens Berthel Askou makes Celtic Park vow after Motherwell defeat
Mulgrew went on to say: “It started off with the protest at the start, and it just continued.
You can feel that, and the players will have felt it as well. It’s never going to help you as a player.
“Also, players need to take responsibility, because they bring the crowd on and they lift the atmosphere as well.
“So listen, it’s right through the club, from top to bottom. It needs to get together, the Green Brigade need to get back in there, and the board need to make touch with the fans.
“They need to make that connection right the way through – because it’s not saying that Celtic would’ve went and won that game tonight, but – at least – they would’ve had a much better chance.”
The Hoops face a mountain to climb in the second leg in Germany. Focus is now firmly on domestic matters, starting with Sunday’s clash with Hibernian.
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Celtic’s current situation with the Green Brigade
The Green Brigade have been banned from all Celtic matches since November, with an initial three-game lockout being extended indefinitely.
As the ban has drawn on, fans have waited patiently for a resolution, but a Celtic fan boycott against Dundee was called in solidarity with the group.
The Celtic Fans Collective organised the boycott, also demanding the resignation of Michael Nicholson.
Martin O’Neill confirmed a meeting between the club and fans ahead of the Stuttgart tie, but this did not result in a resolution.
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