Fraser Wishart’s comments on supporter behaviour were intended to focus on player safety.
However, the PFA Scotland chief may also have highlighted a point many Celtic supporters have been making for months.
The issue is not unique to Celtic, and it is not representative of entire fanbases.
One line in particular stood out. Wishart said supporter behaviour issues had occurred at “other games as well, that perhaps aren’t quite as seen”.
It is a notable admission given how much of the recent discussion has centred on Celtic supporters.
Celtic’s official statement on the pitch invasion was far more measured than Hearts.
No hysteria, just balance. Thoughts on this 👇
Speaking about supporter behaviour in Scottish football, Wishart said: “I think there’d be a couple of big high profile cases in the last couple of months this season where fans came onto the pitch in players felt maybe intimidated, maybe threatened as well.
“And I think that’s reflected sadly, I think over the last 12 months in other games as well, that perhaps aren’t quite as seen. And I think fan behaviour, and it’s a minority – we all know it’s a minority – but fan behaviour has become a big issue.
“I think we’ve changed the narrative on it, that the football pitch is the players’ workplace, and that’s now become a recognised phrase. So we just want our players to feel safe, we want supporters to enjoy the game while providing that bit more safety around the games.
“Pyrotechnics is a big thing, but invasions of the pitch is an absolute no-no. So we’ve been working close with the SPFL and the SFA and other stakeholders as well to try and find solutions to this. Because it has become a negative statement in what was a very positive season.”
Celtic supporters should note the ‘minority’ admission
The most important part of Wishart’s comments may be the simplest. He explicitly stated that supporter misconduct comes from a minority.
That distinction matters. Criticising poor behaviour is entirely reasonable. Extending that criticism to an entire support is not.
Wishart himself separated the actions of individuals from the vast majority of supporters who attend matches responsibly.
Celtic are not the only club mentioned by Wishart
Another revealing section came when Wishart referenced incidents at “other games as well, that perhaps aren’t quite as seen”.
Those words undermine any suggestion that supporter behaviour concerns begin and end with Celtic.
The head of the players’ union is openly acknowledging that similar issues have occurred elsewhere in Scottish football.
Celtic have carried the spotlight on this issue
Wishart’s comments are supported by investigations involving multiple clubs across Scottish football during the past season.
That aligns with his assessment that the problem is broader than the incidents that generated the biggest headlines.
If player safety is the concern, then every incident deserves the same level of scrutiny regardless of which club is involved.
Celtic fans can agree with Wishart’s wider point
None of this means pitch invasions should be excused. Wishart is right that players deserve to feel safe in their workplace.
But his own comments also make clear that the issue is caused by a minority and is not confined to Celtic matches.
That is an important point, and one that should shape the conversation moving forward.
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