Let’s start off the bat by stating that violence should always be condemned and called out whenever it occurs.

I was nowhere near Celtic Park yesterday, so didn’t have the luxury of seeing exactly what went on and what didn’t go on. But what every Celtic fan knows regardless of whether you were there or not, is that the fanbase as a whole is furious.

Celtic 0-2 Ross County was the straw that broke the camel’s back for many. A sizable contingent made its way over to Parkhead to let their feelings be known to a board that seemingly continues to avoid its concerns at every turn.

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Many of us expected some form of statement last night. But certainly not on the subject that Celtic chose to dish it out on. Instead, many of us would’ve thought a managerial change was going to be at the top of the agenda.

Nope. Instead Celtic issued a statement on the supporters, and claimed that missiles were thrown at some of the players who had been left “shaken”.

If this was indeed the case then it’s bang out of order. Violence of any kind is way beyond the line of what’s acceptable. Even heading over to the statement given the Covid protocols that have been put in place doesn’t strike me as being right too.

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But where Celtic have played this all wrongly is in refusing to acknowledge why fans were there in the first place. This was hardly random. They gathered outside Parkhead to show a unity of defiance towards the board. A sign of the lengths they’re willing to go to make their voices be heard. If some have taken it too far then they have to be made accountable.

However, for me, and I’m happy to just come out and say it – I believe Celtic’s statement last night was a massive deflection tactic. The board will have viewed this more as an opportunity than anything else. A chance to shift the narrative on and to point the finger of blame at a support that’s guilty only of loving the club perhaps too much at times.

Again, the same can’t be said for anyone who threw missiles. That’s a line none of us condone. I struggle to accept the idea of any sort of mass gathering either during these times, but I can understand what’s made fans head to Celtic Park, regardless of whether it’s right or wrong. It comes from a deep care for the club.

Is Neil Lennon's time at Celtic up?

Is Neil Lennon’s time at Celtic up? (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

The board also know this, but their failure to acknowledge their concerns or reassure them that they’re pondering their next move is a slap in the face to us all. And it’s clear that the supporters on social media also aren’t having Celtic avoiding their concerns either.

Here’s a look at some of the reaction to last night’s controversial statement:

 

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