The Celtic fan protests against the board have been big headline grabbers this season.
The first Celtic fan protest at Kilmarnock was viewed as a big success after Sky Sports beamed the event into millions of homes during the live clash.
The next organised demonstration against Hibs saw Celtic supporters remain silent for 12 minutes as fans sent a strong message to the board about how important their voices are to be heard.
With big-name pundits like Chris Sutton talking about them, the Celtic supporters are certainly making a lot of noise with their action against the board.
But how are the players dealing with it inside the Celtic Park dressing room? Midfielder Luke McCowan shares what his teammates are saying.
Luke McCowan shares what ‘was a bit strange’ about Celtic Park protest
Handed a rare start for Celtic’s clash with Hibs, McCowan was pitched right into the middle of the first of three silent protests organised by fans against the board.
And here, McCowan shares what his teammates said about them and what was ‘strange’ about the Celtic Park silence.
McCowan told the Daily Record, “That’s our full focus. As we said before the game, it’s just what we’re doing on the pitch is the main thing that we can contribute to.
“We just need to keep focused on ourselves. If the fans are doing whatever, then that’s on them. It’s not in our control.
“We just need to control what we can and that is the stuff on the pitch. The first 12 minutes I could actually hear people talking to me, which was a bit strange.
“But the fans are doing what they want and that’s fair enough to them. We just need to keep fully focused on ourselves.”
Luke McCowan explains ‘the easiest way’ Celtic’s players deal with protests
Whilst a silent protest isn’t ideal for the players on the pitch, McCowan shares how his Celtic teammates are planning to deal with the next two coming their way.
McCowan continued, “They’re going to express themselves aren’t they? It’s what fans do. It won’t matter if they’re expressing themselves against us or against the board or whatever it may be.
“We just know that our full focus is on the pitch and on the team.
“It’s probably easier when you’re on the pitch and you’re just playing football and forgetting about it.
“That’s the easiest way to deal with it. When you’re on that pitch, the only thing that matters is putting the ball in the back of the net, to be honest.
“You don’t have anything else. Personally, I only think that it won’t matter if they’re quiet or if they’re singing. It’s fully focused on that.
“Long may that continue to be the message for our team.”
Well, after a goalless draw against Hibs, if scoring goals is the best way to deal with the protests McCowan and his Celtic teammates had better get their fingers out and do it.
Because after the Hibs stalemate, that was the fourth game of this season Celtic have failed to score a goal with two of those being at home.
That is a stat almost unheard of and one that will worry the supporters.
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