The Green Brigade have insisted there has been no progress in their attempts to regain access to Celtic Park. The ultras group have been suspended from all Hoops matches since early November after an incident during a Premiership clash with Falkirk. Supporters, including the influential Celtic Fans Collective, have been clamouring for the ban to be lifted, protesting against the board with songs and banners.
Interim chairman Brian Wilson has twice called for unity at Parkhead as he looks to end the civil war that has engulfed Glasgow’s east end since the start of the wretched campaign. It is understood Wilson held talks with members of the Celtic Fans Collective earlier this week to try and resolve a range of ongoing issues that have fractured the club.
Boss Martin O’Neill had declared during the week that he felt some progress had been made. But info leaked from the summit midweek revealed that no middle ground had been found and that the Green Brigade were still locked out. That prompted a demonstration last night as protesters lobbed tennis balls onto the pitch, halting play just seconds into Stuttgart’s 4-1 win at Parkhead.
Stuttgart fans also displayed a banner reading “End the bans, freedom for Ultras” in the away end as they stood in solidarity with the Hoops diehards. And the Green Brigade issued an update on social media on Friday, revealing that they were no closer to ending their indefinite ban.
A post on social media read: “Despite recent platitudes of unity from the club, last night marked the 24th match that 250 Celtic fans have been banned for, following no fair process nor logic and with seemingly no end in sight. Last night, even the away fans highlighted this, alongside other Celtic fans.” The statement reflected the frustration and disappointment felt by the Green Brigade and their supporters, who are growing increasingly impatient with the lack of progress in resolving the situation.