As a final verdict awaits to be determined on this Sunday’s Glasgow derby at Celtic Park, it’s looking extremely likely that the game will go ahead.
Indeed, it appears that the Scottish Government is determined to try and make us bite our nails. Almost as if we’ve to continue to be good little bhoys and ghirls before we can have what we want.
But it’s important to read between the lines. Looking at everything that’s happened over the last few days, it’s looking promising. This game looks all but set to go ahead.
Speaking at today’s Scottish Coronavirus media briefing, Nicola Sturgeon said the following when asked for an update:
“These communications are important”
“I welcome the statements by both Rangers and Celtic. Of course it was Rangers fans who were gathering a week or so ago. They urged and were very direct in their urging of the fans to stay at home. I hope the clubs will continue that over the next few days. It’s not just a one statement and the work is done.
“We know from experience over the last year that these communications are really important on an ongoing basis. I spoke to the chief constable personally last week about his views on what might transpire if the Old Firm match goes ahead. The justice secretary has been in contact with the police and will be in further contact with the police over the next week.
“They will have intelligence of their own over whether it appears to them that fans, in the main, are following the advice of the clubs to stay at home or whether there will be a significant risk of the fans coming out to gather. On the basis of all that, we’ll have to take a judgement.
“I don’t want to be in a position of standing here saying football matches can’t go ahead or any of the other things we really enjoy in life can’t go ahead.”
Celtic making moves ahead of Glasgow derby
Earlier today, Celtic announced that they were bringing in ITV and BT Sport presenter Matt Smith to tackle their coverage of the derby on Celtic TV.
In addition to that, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf praised both Celtic and Rangers for urging fans to stay at home. All of this after a meeting was held between the clubs, government, police, and city council on Friday [Glasgow Live].
It’s quite clear that, even though a final verdict hasn’t been announced, clubs have been informed to plan as though the game is going ahead. Whilst there may be further discussions to come with Police Scotland regarding potential fan gatherings, there was clearly nothing to be overly concerned about from Friday’s meeting.
Would Celtic be bringing in such an experienced face in presenting if the game wasn’t likely to go ahead? Would clubs send out messages if they were informed that the worst looked like happening?
Of course not. The early indications for next Sunday appear to show that everything will be fine. An increased presence of security around Celtic Park, you would imagine, would be the most logical option.
Hopefully, this is all officially confirmed in the coming days.
In other news, Peter Lawwell can make the new Celtic manager’s job a lot easier with one simple move.
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