Celtic face one of their biggest tests under Martin O’Neill when they host VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League play-offs on Thursday.
As of this moment, the first leg encounter will be without the Green Brigade, but O’Neill was asked about it in his pre-match Celtic press conference and said it’s ‘regrettable’ that the club is in such a situation.
O’Neill added that he hears ‘progress’ has been made, amid suggestions of a meeting between the Celtic Fans Collective and the board on the eve of the Stuttgart match, to lift the bans.
The ban on the Green Brigade has been in place since November, and if it is lifted, it would bring a new lease of life to the stands, as Celtic push for a domestic double and possible progress in Europe.
Should Celtic lift the bans on the Green Brigade and Fan Media? Let us know in the comments.
Bhoys Celtic call on the board to end the Parkhead bans.
Martin O’Neill calls for ‘unity’ amid Celtic’s ban on the Green Brigade
What’s interesting is that O’Neill mentioned Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock over the weekend, and how the comeback came about.
Celtic’s legendary coach is insistent that the supporters behind the goal at Rugby Park ‘contributed greatly’ to the team coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
In the second half, the Hoops attacked the end where the Celtic fans were based, and the rest is history, especially with Julian Araujo’s epic celebration.
Nonetheless, O’Neill went even further back and mentioned Celtic’s run to the UEFA Cup final in 2003 during his first spell in charge.
He pinpointed a home match against Liverpool where he couldn’t even hear the great late John Robertson speak ‘for the first 10-15 minutes’ because it was so loud.
That’s what O’Neill wants replicated for the VfB Stuttgart match, and beyond. As he, once again, stated it would be ‘better for all’ if there was ‘unity’ inside the stadium.
Reporter: “On Sunday after the game, there was a great moment of unity between the players and the supporters at Rugby Park, when Araujo went into the stands.
“Some supporters are still banned from Celtic club games. We gather there were some discussions held about that. It’s a backing, I dare say, you could benefit on a big match like Stuttgart.
“Do you know what the latest is on the talks with the Celtic supporters? Also, how regrettable is it that we will still have empty seats at Celtic Park against Stuttgart?”
O’Neill: “Yes, I agree with you. I think a full house here at Celtic Park is something special. Every European night that I have had in the past, way back then, was just filled with special moments.
“Teams were, I think, genuinely, and I am talking about the really major sides, were still very, very concerned about coming here. The passion, drive and the noise that was made.
“I remember here our game against Liverpool in that UEFA run. John Robertson, my old friend, was standing beside me and speaking to me. I couldn’t hear a word he was saying for the first ten or 15 minutes. It was so, so loud.
“Little bits have been lost from that. That’s regrettable, to use your word. I think there have been some discussions, which I wasn’t party to.
But I hear there has been some progress made. The sooner there is unity at Celtic Park, the better for all concerned. I have no doubt that the crowd behind the goal on Sunday contributed greatly to us fighting back in the game, no question about that.”
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