The Green Brigade have accused Celtic of risking fresh division after claiming two members have been prevented from renewing their season tickets pending a disciplinary process.
The supporters’ group issued an update on Friday following a period where relations around the club had appeared to improve during the final weeks of the season. Around 250 supporters returned to matches after a lengthy ban, with the atmosphere at Celtic Park widely credited as playing a part in the run to the domestic double.
The group claim the latest issue relates to an alleged incident involving a conversation with Mark Hargreaves at Celtic’s AGM more than six months ago. They argue the timing is questionable, with the members said to have been informed less than 24 hours before the season ticket renewal deadline.
Celtic have not publicly commented on the claims.
The North Curve said: “After an unjustified five month and 32-match ban, 250 supporters returned to Celtic matches for the final six weeks of the season.
“It was clear, and acknowledged from players to manager, that the subsequent change in atmosphere was pivotal in inspiring the team to an unlikely and unforgettable double.
“It is therefore frustrating that the Celtic board is reverting to type, now that the season has finished, to ban Green Brigade members over vexatious allegations we believed to have been settled weeks ago.”
The statement also named Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay and Mark Hargreaves, with the group warning that the situation could damage the unity spoken about by Martin O’Neill and Brian Wilson during the title run-in.
This is a delicate issue for Celtic because the closing weeks of the campaign showed what a fully engaged stadium can do for the team. The players fed off it. O’Neill referenced it. Supporters across the ground felt the difference.
At the same time, the club will argue it must follow internal processes where it believes disciplinary matters require review.
The concern now is whether both sides can avoid slipping back into the kind of stand-off that overshadowed large parts of the season. Celtic have just won a double, but this latest dispute shows old tensions have not gone away.
The timing of this is very dodgy. When season tickets deadline is on us then this happens. Board need to get the finger out and sort manager and team out. lastsecond.com
The board and DD don’t care they have our money and that’s all they are interested in. I am over the moon that we got the double, but I wonder what would have happened if we finished 3rd or 4th with no European money. I honestly don’t think they care. It’s time the board came out and made some kind of statement. Why is DD making all the decisions? are all the board scared of him. If DD grows a pair of balls and let’s the fans know what is going on, I can see this getting worse and who is to blame?. the board can come out with their usual BS and blame the fans. we have had enough DD and the board get to F***
Usual stuff from the green brigade thinking they can do anything they want ang get away with it.