{{grv_excerpt}}
Read More
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Leigh Griffiths expects Celtic fans to show their frustration
Leigh Griffiths says he is expecting Celtic fans to show their frustration by not turning up to this weekend’s game.
Neil Lennon’s men aim for the last eight of the Betfred Cup when they host Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday. However, the match is unlikely to whet the appetite of many supporters especially after the midweek calamity against CFR Cluj.
Morale at Celtic Park seems at an all time low. However, Griffiths still sent a defiant message despite admitting that he expects to see a lot of green sheets when the Pars arrive in the East End of Glasgow.
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
“We win as a team and lose as a team,” he told STV. “But the fans are more hurt than we are and rightly so.
“They pay good money to come and watch and expect us to get to the Champions League. It’s very difficult to get there but the fans’ expectations have grown over the last few seasons.
“I don’t think they’ll be happy. Am I expecting a sell-out crowd? No. But they are entitled to show their frustration.
“It’s up to us to put performances on to put bums back on seats.”
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
How can Griffiths and co. put “bums back on seats?”
Griffiths’ final comment about the Celtic players needing to bring the fans back is an honest assessment. But how difficult will it be for them to bring this one back from the brink?
The Celtic support have backed the club in incredible numbers both home and away over the past three seasons. They’ve packed pretty much every home European match and, to be honest, they deserve much better.
Tuesday’s capitulation against Cluj will have been the final straw for many. The upcoming home matches against Dunfermline and AIK could each draw crowds as low as 20,000. The future league match against Hearts a week on Sunday will also be far from full.
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
In fact, Celtic risk not seeing Celtic Park full (other than derby matches) for the rest of this season. Fans will want to see concrete signs that improvements are being made on and off the pitch. The board need to sanction at least three quality signings by September 2nd and Neil Lennon has to rally his troops.
A result in the upcoming derby match is crucial too. The Celtic support are faithful to their team but they’re not mugs. At the moment they’re being taken for mugs.
Have something to tell us about this article?