Opinion

Celtic’s fan media hypocrisy exposed as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain access raises questions

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Celtic have created a situation they can no longer explain, let alone defend. The club continues to shut out its own fan media while allowing external platforms access to players, and the contradiction is now impossible to ignore.

Supporter-led outlets remain excluded from the club despite previous involvement, with fan media still not being allowed access to press conferences.

That ongoing situation has already been described as “ironic” when 67 Hail Hail called out Celtic on BBC Sportsound earlier this season.

The evidence is now in plain sight. The Anfield Wrap have published an interview with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, offering direct access to a Celtic player.

This is where the problem becomes unavoidable. Celtic are still controlling access, but they are no longer applying that control consistently.

Celtic’s media stance no longer holds up under scrutiny

Celtic’s stance now looks foolish and petty while clearly allowing access to other fan media outlets as Hoops supporters are still locked out.

Let’s be clear, The Anfield Wrap are not the issue here and should not be criticised. The issue sits entirely with the Celtic board and the contradiction they have created.

You cannot restrict your own supporters and then provide access elsewhere without explanation. That is not a standard being applied, it is a decision being made.

And it is a decision that exposes the weakness in the club’s position. If access is still possible, then the blanket nature of the Celtic fan media ban no longer holds up.

Celtic are shutting out their own supporters while opening the door elsewhere

This is what makes the situation unacceptable. Fan media are part of the support base and have consistently engaged with the club at every level.

They are now completely removed from that process, despite representing the same supporters the club claim to value. The disconnect is obvious.

Even Celtic’s players must be wondering what is going on when fan media outlets are allowed access to them while the Parkhead support continue to be shut out.

67 Hail Hail used to be allowed regular access to Celtic press conferences but over the last two years, despite requesting clarity, the silence from the club has been deafening.

The irony has already been pointed out clearly. Celtic chairman Brian Wilson calls for unity, but that now means very little when the club continues to shut out sections of its own support and allowing outsiders in.

There is no credible explanation for allowing access to one outlet while maintaining a blanket ban on others. Celtic are choosing who gets a voice, and it is not their own supporters.

This is no longer a misunderstanding or a temporary measure. It is a policy that is being applied selectively, and it is impossible to defend on any consistent basis.

Celtic do not need to justify The Anfield Wrap interview. They need to explain why their own supporters remain locked out while access clearly still exists.