Celtic captain Callum McGregor says he fully understands the frustrations of supporters as fan groups prepare to step up their protests against the Parkhead board this weekend.
An open letter signed by more than 400 Celtic groups, CSCs and fan media outlets, representing tens of thousands of supporters, has called out “repeated failures in transfer dealings” and demanded accountability from the club’s hierarchy.
The anger will be visible on Sunday at Rugby Park, where Celtic fans plan to stage a late-entry protest against Kilmarnock, leaving the team without backing from the stands for the opening 12 minutes of the match.
McGregor, speaking ahead of the game, said he sympathises with supporters’ concerns.
“Obviously I can understand it. It’s the supporters that make the club what it is. It’s so special. It’s synonymous with the support that they back the team,” McGregor said to Celtic TV.
“They’re putting their hard-earned money into the club. So, of course, I understand it. They want to see the best possible team on the pitch that they can do. Everybody in elite sport, the players, the supporters, we all want to be at the highest level possible every single year. And that is the demand of this club. So I do understand it.
“I sympathise with them a little bit on it. Because it’s them who are spending the money and trying to support the team, etc. So my responsibility is to try and give them the best product on the pitch that we can possibly do.”
Sunday’s protest will be the first visible act of fan dissent since the survey organised by North Curve Celtic returned overwhelming support for a vote of no confidence in the board.
The fan base does seem to be united as they protest the Celtic board. It was made clear that once the fans were in the ground that they would go “tonto” and back the team and the players on the pitch.
A game can’t be won in the first 12 minutes, but it can be lost in the last 12 minutes.
Hope they miss goal of the season
What a load of pish has been talked by all, support not turnin up.
Players noo being supported by fans, well how did Celtic manage withoot any fans in empty stadia durin Covalent season?
And even more recently at tha death star (and manage tae not only score) but maintain that lead most of the geme.
Durin a bamboozin amount of negativity fae tha zombie nationals inside??
Supporters must huv tha memories of goldfishes.
I can see a small bit of common sense in a no-show of supporters.
But tha players manage tae train without any support and get paid tae play whether they play or noo.
Tha supporters associations, should have some muscle, but don’t as a collective they don’t pay enough, nor have enough money tae say what goes, who is purchased, or who is paid tae dae what by whom?
Tha auld ‘Noo we’re only paid custdionians of your mound’s of unused Cash flow’, won’t delight tha average fan anymore.
Nae mer invisibility, please be much much more open with your supporters.
Don’t treat them as fools.
They don’t pay you but you work fur them!!!!!!