News

Peter Martin tells Celtic fans exactly what the board will do as stadium protests continue

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic fans continued to make their unrest heard on Sunday.

Supporters who are frustrated by a lack of backing for Brendan Rodgers have been consistent in their messaging since the transfer window closed.

An open letter sent to Celtic detailed seven key questions fans wanted to be answered, and called for improvement to the club’s communication. After a controversial Celtic statement in response, fans only became more angered.

After Brendan Rodgers said that he ‘absolutely understood’ fan sentiment, a protest saw thousands of fans refuse to enter the stand until the 12th minute of the side’s meeting with Kilmarnock.

Some suggested that results would diminish protests, but the number got even higher at Firhill on Sunday at Partick Thistle, where banners were displayed before the match.

Peter Martin on Celtic fan protests

Whether protests do get less over time remains to be seen, but the ball is very much in the Parkhead board’s court.

For Peter Martin, there is no doubt over what the hierarchy’s actions will be.

READ MORE: Jim White’s embarrassing climbdown after criticising Celtic and Rangers fan media

Celtic fans celebrate their first goal against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Martin said: “I still can’t see anything happening. I still applaud the Celtic supporters for their right to highlight their grievances, but I don’t think anything’s going to change.

“I don’t think one person will come off that board. The Celtic Trust has basically accused the chairman of gaslighting supporters after the statement following the annual results. The results are strategically fired out. And that is where will anger the supporters.

“There’s a situation where they’re not going to reply or engage and I think they will continue to just go along and say, ‘Let’s just go and continue with Brendan Rodgers getting results, Europa League games, couple of big nights, keep everybody quiet and they’ll all forget about it.”

With Europa League matches now on sale individually to season ticket holders, attendances at those matches will be a telling factor as to whether Martin is correct.

Will Celtic fan protests continue?

Board officials’ comments in Celtic’s annual accounts were clearly intended to appease supporters.

CEO Michael Nicholson took responsibility for the side’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

But as the end of Rodgers’ contract draws closer, fans will not show much patience should the Northern Irishman not be convinced to stay in Glasgow.

Fans’ patience has been worn too thin – and the unrest isn’t going anywhere.