Celtic begin their Europa League campaign against Ferencváros on Thursday night and, three days out from the game, getting a ticket for Celtic Park should not be particularly difficult.
CeltsAreHere understands there are currently around 3,500 tickets still sitting on the general sale market for the 8pm kick-off.
That does not tell the full story either. From speaking to supporters clubs and Celtic fans in recent days, we are also hearing of plenty of spares doing the rounds outside the club’s official allocation.
Put simply, if you want to be at Celtic Park on Thursday night, you should be able to get a ticket.
It is quite a contrast from the European nights Celtic supporters had hoped would be coming to Paradise this season.
Martin O’Neill’s side were within touching distance of the Champions League league phase last month. A 3-0 victory over LASK at Celtic Park was followed by Callum McGregor putting Celtic ahead in Austria, making it 4-0 on aggregate.
What happened afterwards still takes some explaining.
LASK won 5-1 after extra time, Celtic went out 5-4 on aggregate and the consolation prize was a place in the Europa League league phase.
There is nothing wrong with the Europa League. Celtic have some cracking fixtures ahead, including Benfica away, Celta Vigo and Besiktas at Celtic Park before Marseille eventually come to Glasgow in January.
Thursday, though, perhaps gives us an early indication of how supporters view the consolation prize.
Had Celtic finished the job in Austria they would have opened their Champions League account last week home or away to a sold out crowd if at home.
There are other factors, of course. Supporters are being asked to spend plenty following Celtic and a European package on top of a season ticket is another hit to the pocket. The opposition also factors in when people are deciding whether to part with more money.
And after Sunday’s miserable 3-0 League Cup defeat at Ibrox, there probably isn’t a huge number of supporters rushing to hand over cash to watch this Celtic team at the moment.
That could change quickly.
Ferencváros are not coming to Glasgow simply to make up the numbers. The Hungarian side came through Europa League qualifying and hammered Trabzonspor 4-0 in the second leg of their play-off, winning that tie 5-0 on aggregate.
Celtic badly need a response after Ibrox and this is the start of a European campaign where there is still plenty to play for. The top eight in the 36-team league go directly into the last 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th enter the knockout play-offs.
Three points on Thursday would settle things down considerably before another Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park on Sunday.
Whether Celtic Park will be completely full to see it is another matter.
Right now, the tickets are there.
Keep Reading
One Response
unnecessary negative article. lots of solo seats available, no one want to sit alone (need a solution to this). otherwise 55,000 at Europa game is remarkable. why not encourage a sell out?? ps I cant stand Dermot Desmond