Former Bhoys striker calls for resolution over Celtic Park Green Brigade ban

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Simon Donnelly has called for a resolution over the decision from the Celtic board to ban the Green Brigade.

The Green Brigade were informed yesterday by Celtic that they will not be able to attend any home or away games until further notice, including tonight’s Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park against St Mirren.

Celtic cited a number of ‘safety concerns’ at various home and away grounds in their reasoning sent to season ticket holders from the North Curve area of the stadium.

The fan group have yet to respond publicly to the allegations and the ban itself.

Donnelly discussed the positive impact he feels the Green Brigade bring to Celtic games home and away while speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard. He’s hoping calm heads can prevail and talks can take place between the two parties.

He said: “I think that would be the ideal, dare I say it, the adult approach for them to talk it over. The Green Brigade bring that atmosphere to Celtic Park and it’s evident when there’s been problems in the past and they have decided to actively not go into the game, it’s evident they are not there. That lack of noise and atmosphere.

“I hope they can both sit down and resolve the situation very quickly and get the guys back into the games. There is no doubt they bring an atmosphere and the rest of the crowd feed off that.”

Donnelly’s comments demonstrate that many fans will feel the Green Brigade’s absence from Celtic Park is a detriment to the matchday experience and perhaps even the football itself. The atmosphere can be so important in pushing the team on.

Celtic previously moved to suspend the Green Brigade back in 2013, but tensions cooled between the group and the club. The Green Brigade have occupied the safe-standing area of Celtic Park since the beginning of the 2016/17 season.

Celtic were recently fined £23,500 by UEFA over use of pyrotechnics and a banner displayed in the safe-standing section against Lazio on 4 October 2023.

The Green Brigade have also in the past organised full stadium displays with a display back in 2017 commemorating the Lisbon Lions. The group also organise for charity raising £59,585 in 2022, and including seven vans of food bank donations.