Scottish Lowland side Albion Rovers are worried that they could become a ‘Celtic-themed’ club as one shareholder looks to become the majority owner.
Albion Rovers are based in Coatbridge, where there is a big support for Celtic in the area, and for businessman Paul Reilly, the aim has been to provide a second team for those who aren’t heading to Parkhead on a Saturday.
He has tried and failed on two occasions to become the majority shareholder, and even proposed to change the colour of the kits to green and white, as well as rebrand to Shamrock Rovers Coatbridge, and now supporters are worried it may happen again.
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Albion Rovers fear Celtic-themed takeover
Given their financial struggles, Albion are looking for any sort of help to keep afloat and Reilly seems the frontrunner to do so.
This is strongly opposed by supporters, who don’t want to lose the identity of their club.
One unnamed shareholder told Lanarkshire Sport: “I am shocked and dismayed that the current Board of Directors have allowed Mr Reilly to successfully obtain a not insignificant amount of shares in the company. He’s now at a more advanced position than ever before.
“My belief is that this transfer could have been blocked and the fact the Board have rubber-stamped this transfer is reckless and puts the existence of the club as we know it at great risk. The club is on life support as it is.
“Mr Reilly’s designs on Albion Rovers Football Club have been well documented. The fact that this board have rolled over to him is unforgivable.”
Have Celtic played Albion Rovers before?
Celtic and Albion Rovers have met 31 times, with 18 of those coming in league games between 1919 and 1949.
The Hoops’ last competitive defeat against them came in 1948 while it has almost been 10 years since they last faced each other.
Rovers were no match for Celtic in a Scottish Cup fourth round tie in 2017 as goals from Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele and Scott Brown secured an easy passage through to the next round.
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