Celtic release Tuesday night statement ahead of UCL clash | OneFootball

Celtic have released a detailed statement after fan pushback from the excessive safety measures on display at Celtic Park. Supporters that attended the Premier Sports Cup win over Falkirk noticed that there were fan migration controls introduced to stop fans moving freely between sections of the ground.

It became clear that this was introduced in an effort to stop individuals from entering the Standing Section. However, it impacted on regular supporters, who have Matchday traditions meeting family and friends in the concourse. The concerns and criticism from the support appears to have been heard with the club addressing the concerns in a statement released this evening on the club website.

“Further to our communication to fans last week concerning safety measures at Celtic Park for Friday night’s match at Celtic Park, we wanted again to clearly outline ongoing arrangements within the stadium to ensure supporters are fully aware of safety plans going forward.

“Following some issues with migration to our rail seating area, the intention of introducing these measures was to encourage supporter movement which would avoid congestion at certain points within the stadium, with the measures put in place to ensure the safety of everyone within Celtic Park and in particular to ensure the comfort and safety of those fans who have valid tickets within the rail seating area.

“At Celtic Football Club, we are committed not only to providing a safe environment in which to enjoy football, but to also listen to supporter feedback in relation to any measures which are introduced to assess their effectiveness.

The Berlin Wall at Celtic Park. Photo social media (@1888badr)

“In this regard, we are aware of certain issues raised in relation to these additional measures and would like to take this opportunity to thank a number of fans for making us aware of the specific nature of the challenges which were encountered. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will ensure that the feedback received is factored into our modified plan moving forward.

“Furthermore, we have taken steps to refine the safety operation within the stadium to strike the appropriate balance between our overriding focus on supporter safety and fan experience.

“It is important that we reiterate to our fans the best and safest way of accessing the stadium. As is always the case, we would ask that supporters enter the stadium using only the turnstiles noted on your match day ticket or season card. Once you have entered the stadium, you are encouraged to make use of the facilities nearest your seating area. In order to prevent migration towards the rail seating area, additional ticket checks will be in place in this area of the stadium to ensure that only those supporters who have tickets for this area are able to enter.

“In addition, supporters should not attempt to access the rail seating area unless you have a valid ticket for this section. These ongoing measures are considered necessary to ensure the safety of everyone within the stadium.

“The aim of ensuring the safety of all supporters remains paramount in our planning, and we would ask again that previous advice regarding access to the stadium is noted.

“Please also note that there will be extended queue lines on Janefield Street for those supporters entering the North Stand at turnstiles 6-13 and 32-39, with a flow management system in place to ensure a smooth transition to your entry point. This has proved successful in the past at allowing fans to move through the turnstiles quickly.

“The safety of our fans at matches is everything to us and we will continue to do all we can to ensure your safety is ensured and that you have an enjoyable visit to Celtic Park.

“We thank you sincerely for your continued support.”

The reality is that the Safe Standing Section needs to be reviewed with an extension to the existing capacity. There is an additional argument for putting Bhoys Celtic and the Green Brigade into the same area to maximise the atmosphere at Paradise. The club and the GB appear to be at odds with each other at present and the Celtic End feels as if it is unlikely. With that being said, maximising the North Curve in order to have all ultras together along with those willing to participate in the standing section.

Celtic need to ensure that the supporters can play their part to spur the team onto victory. Creating issues for supporters, especially after the discord regarding transfer activity, has not been a popular move by the club. Hopefully there’s little to no disruption tomorrow night.