Support from the stands could be what wins us the league

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The Celtic Star

·26 April 2026

Support from the stands could be what wins us the league

This season is one that will be remembered by Celtic fans for a long time, no matter how it ends…

Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

It would be impossible to summarise the drama that we have witnessed this season in one article. There have been so many twists and turns even producers of a soap opera would question if the storylines are too far fetched if a writer brought them this script.

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Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

One of the biggest dramas this season has been the ongoing fight between the board and the Green Brigade. The board originally imposed a temporary six-game ban in late October 2025, which was later extended to an indefinite suspension in December due to “serious and violent” incidents.

The board justified their actions by stating there was an assault on stewards and police during the match against Falkirk in October last year. They claimed there were threats and intimidation against Mark Hargreaves, Head of Safety, Security and Operations. They also stated that incidents like repeated use of pyrotechnics, rushing turnstiles, and forcing open fire exits at some away grounds were also to blame.

Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Personally I’ve always felt like the club’s biggest problem with the group is their politics, although they rarely mention that part of it. They dislike their song book. They don’t appreciate their support of Palestine. They want Celtic to be known world wide for the atmosphere at Celtic Park but turn their noses up at the group of men and women mainly responsible for that explosion of noise and colour we have all become so accustomed to on those big occasions.

The board want to keep that reputation of being one of the best arenas to visit on big European nights. They spent millions on a entertainment system, including the much ridiculed ‘disco lights’, in 2018 all to make Celtic Park look and sound even better on these nights.

Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

They love bragging about how some of the world’s best players have talked about playing away at Celtic as being one of their career highlights.

They squirm in their fancy heated seats however when the Celtic fans show their support for Palestine on these occasions. Supporting innocent people living through a genocide inflicted upon them by a brutal Israeli regime means nothing to them, keeping the image of Celtic as apolitical and non confrontational is more important to them. God forbid they lose out on potential sponsorship deals due to our fans support of Palestine.

Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

The board’s recent change of heart regarding the Green Brigade, ending their ban and bringing them back for the final four league games, isn’t an honest gesture of goodwill at all. It’s completely self-serving. This season has been an absolute disaster and the vast majority of its failure is on them.

They realised our chances of winning the title and all the potential Champions League money that comes with it was slipping away. They knew bringing the atmosphere back to Celtic Park, especially with crucial games against the Rangers and Hearts to be played there, was essential.

I actually think the recent move to ban the Union Bears is for exactly the same self serving reasons.

Scotland’s Shame – theRangers fans attacking the Celtic support at Ibrox after Celtic won the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

They were both shrewd moves. Don’t for one second however think it was done because they realised their wrongs, or that they want to forge a new relationship with our Ultras, or all us Celtic fans in general. This was a move done out of desperation, knowing that losing the league this season will have grave consequences for them all moving forward.

Scotland’s Shame – theRangers fans attacking the Celtic support at Ibrox after Celtic won the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

How ironic that these charlatans are hoping the fan group who they clearly despise can be the ones that could ultimately save whatever is left of their tarnished reputations by helping the team over the line.

Our board are many things, but they are not stupid. Just look at the difference the atmosphere made yesterday. Honestly, it was an absolute joy to see and hear. It felt like we finally had our club back.

Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Celtic Park was rocking from start to finish, and that made all the difference. You could see the players feeding off it. Even when things starting getting tricky in that second half, the fans stuck with the team. No moans and groans at misplaced passes, just support.

Without that support from the stands yesterday that could have been more points dropped. Instead of freezing when we lost that goal, the crowd picked the players back up and we went on to score another and see the game out comfortably.

I’ve said all season this current Celtic squad is limited, it’s one of the worst in the past few decades. The outcome of this season will be decided on who wants it most.

I genuinely believe now, maybe for the first time, that we have it in us to win this. The reason I’m feeling more optimistic isn’t because what I saw on the pitch yesterday, but what I heard from the stands.

A packed Celtic Park with everyone in full voice could be the very thing that pushes this team over the line. If it does then the Green Brigade deserve great credit. The board deserve none.

I’m pretty certain the Green Brigade knows the board’s nefarious plan and that they are being used. So kudos to them for putting that to one side and giving their all to try and impact the outcome of this season. It just goes to show who really has the best interests of the club at heart. The focus from here on out is 100% on winning the league and Scottish Cup double.

Players of Celtic acknowledge the fans following the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park Stadium on April 25, 2026 (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

Once the season is over however it’s imperative we do not forget who got us into this mess in the first place.

Their time is up.

Conall McGinty

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