Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has finally spoken out on the banning of the Green Brigade by the club from home and away matches.
The Irish gaffer was quizzed on the matter in his pre-match press conference for the Ross County game. On the topic, he took a footballing stance.
Indeed Rodgers thinks that the support should focus on on-pitch matters. He did, though, recognise the tremendous backing the Green Brigade bring. He said (The Herald): “But I understand what’s happened, and at any club – especially at a club like here – that synergy is so important because it is such a force, Celtic. The club, and hopefully the guys who are out of the club, can find a solution. Because they are amazing, I will say that.”
It is undoubted that the Green Brigade bring a wealth of atmosphere on matchday regardless of the venue. Their presence seems to be predominantly felt at home.
At Celtic Park, they were given the first standing section in the UK. Rodgers thinks the club were kind to the group by building this, and that their generosity should not be taken advantage of. He said: “So, the club have clearly reached out to supporters to put that in place (standing section). So, the club wanted to work with the supporters. I just think in life you always have to be careful. If you offer a hand, make sure they don’t want the arm. So, you put out your hand to help supporters, and they take the arm, not the hand.”
The standing section in the North Curve has been hugely positive for the Green Brigade since its inception. Right now, though, it is getting left unoccupied.
Rodgers hopes for an end to the conflict between fans and the club. The double-treble-winning boss thinks the best way to achieve this goal is by focusing on football. He said: “For me, our club’s strength is being together behind the team, and hopefully very, very soon we can find that, and we can support the football.”
Having splits and divisions among the supporters and between fans and the club is in no way beneficial for any party. In the coming weeks, all involved with Celtic will aim for a resolution because, at the minute, the situation is benefitting few.
There will never be a making up here. I am sympathetic to the GB whilst not liking the pyros but this is political at present. This is tories trying to stop fans supporting Palestine against their business associates in Israel. I wish the board would stand up about the cheating and white washing of history with the spl, in the same way they stand up against our own.