Glasgow City Council has admitted its relationship with Celtic has not been good enough, with fresh plans now being put in place ahead of another expected title celebration in the city.
The local authority is now attempting to repair that breakdown after years of tension around supporter gatherings and Celtic title-winning scenes in the city centre.
Those issues have become increasingly visible, particularly during Celtic’s recent title celebrations, where large crowds have gathered in predictable locations.
That shift matters because it shows the council is no longer reacting to isolated incidents, it is responding to a pattern driven by Celtic’s continued success and influence.
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Celtic success has forced Glasgow City Council into a rethink
The council has openly admitted its relationship with Celtic has not been right, marking a clear change in tone from previous years.
That admission comes alongside plans to reset their relationship with Celtic, with a focus on improving communication and coordination around major events.
The need for that reset is grounded in repeated scenes across the city, including Celtic’s title celebrations in the Trongate area last May.
These are no longer one-off occasions, with the tradition of fans gathering for the last five years, turning title wins into expected large-scale events.
Director of communications for Glasgow City Council Colin Edgar said: “If one of those Glasgow teams wins the Premiership this year the council will say well done – we don’t really do that.
“We acknowledge we’ve not got the relationship right in the past and people realise that, but we are working to turn that around.”
Celtic’s global reach now drives the council’s strategy
The council’s change in approach is not only about managing disruption, it is also tied to how Celtic have shaped the city’s global image.
There is a clear focus on using football to promote the city internationally and attract more visitors.
Edgar also said: “Hopefully this year the celebrations won’t be at the other side of the M8 but we need to recognise they can have an impact on businesses and communities.
“We don’t think there is any other city in Europe where one of their teams has won the domestic league for decades. Nor do they have the international brand power.”
The emphasis on international reach underlines why the council is shifting its stance, Celtic’s success brings attention that extends far beyond Glasgow.
That creates a situation where cooperation becomes necessary, not optional, because the scale of interest and engagement cannot be ignored.
Glasgow City Council’s position has moved from distance to engagement, but that change has been driven by Celtic’s consistency rather than proactive planning.
As long as Celtic continue to deliver title wins, the pattern will repeat, and the council will remain in a position where it must adapt to events it does not control.
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