Celtic are looking to host a full capacity Parkhead for next week’s Europa League qualifier against Jablonec, according to the Daily Record.
Yesterday, First Minister Nicola sturgeon stated that football clubs would still have to apply for greater attendance figures even after the August 9th date [Sky Sports]. But the Record’s report states that Glasgow City Council are extremely unlikely to reject any application from Celtic for the Jablonec tie next week, should they wish to fill out Parkhead.
The Hoops will likely experience a full house when they face the Czech side in tomorrow night’s away leg. In terms of Celtic Park, 24,000 have been allowed to return for Sunday’s game against Dundee.
The Record also reports that rivals Rangers will also put in an application to secure 51k supporters for their UCL second-leg clash with Malmo next week.
As quoted by the newspaper, a Glasgow City Council source said: “We haven’t had any formal requests yet but it is vanishingly unlikely that we would say no to full house.”
Full house targeted for next week; Celtic supporters set to return in heavy numbers
If the chance is there for Celtic to get a full capacity stadium for Jablonec, we have to take it. It’s been far too long since supporters were allowed into Parkhead to see their side as part of a full house.
That this is happening so early into the campaign is also terrific. It means that the 2021/22 campaign looks like seeing a proper return to normality. Supporters are coming back to stadiums in their droves, and it’s exactly what we want to see.
Many believe the lack of fans in attendance last season was a crucial reason as to why Celtic underperformed. You can’t underestimate the power of a full Celtic Park.
Jablonec will of course provide the Hoops with a real challenge. But Celtic fans will be looking for increased performance levels if Parkhead is packed.
The pessimist in many of us, of course, will still be watching closely. Understandably, there’s been a hesitancy to bring packed stadiums back into Scottish football. It would hardly be surprising if something new was put in place to push it back further.
But it doesn’t look as though that’s on the agenda for now. Celtic have every right to apply for a 60k capacity next week. Here’s hoping it gets the approval it should.
In other news, Celtic-linked Siriki Dembele’s agent accused of “drumming up interest” by Peterborough
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
