Chris Sutton has offered himself as an unlikely peacemaker as tensions between Celtic and sections of the support continue to rumble on.
Thursday night’s Europa League tie against Stuttgart once again highlighted the fractured atmosphere around Celtic Park. While the visiting support unveiled their own tifo in the away section, the Green Brigade area of the North Curve remained closed.
Just a day earlier, representatives from the Celtic Fans Collective met with the club, with Brian Wilson in attendance, to discuss the continued exclusion of the Green Brigade. Concerns were raised about the impact the ban is having on atmosphere and supporter sentiment. The club acknowledged those concerns, confirmed that dialogue is ongoing and indicated a willingness to resolve the situation, albeit subject to conditions. No timeframe for any resolution was offered.
In his statement on Friday night, Brian Wilson again called for resolutions.
Against that backdrop, hopes that the Green Brigade might return for such a high-profile European night were dashed.
Instead, there was a coordinated protest at kick-off, with small tennis balls and bouncy balls thrown onto the pitch from the North Stand, delaying the start of the match by several minutes and drawing further attention to the standoff.
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who spent six years at the club, believes the situation has dragged on for too long and suggested he could help broker peace.
Speaking to Record Sport, Sutton said: “Here’s an idea. Bring me in and I’ll mediate between the two. Maybe I can bang a few skulls together for the greater good.”
The disconnect between the club and a section of its most vocal supporters is playing out publicly, on big European nights, rather than being resolved behind closed doors.
With crucial fixtures still to come domestically, many supporters believe unity is essential if Celtic are to navigate the decisive months ahead.
Whether Sutton’s offer is taken up is another matter entirely, but this situation cannot be allowed to drift much longer.
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One Response
What are the conditions Wilson is talking about ? I think a piece of humble pie for each side is required as this can’t continue.
Nevertheless this board of dictators will never be forgiven or forgotten and God help them if things turn ugly against sevco .