It’s the kind of decision that leaves you shaking your head in disbelief. Celtic, a club steeped in tradition and pride, has somehow found itself dabbling in the absurd with this latest merchandising move—a virtual slice of the pitch. Not an actual patch of turf you can cradle in your hands or stick in a glass case, but a pixelated square on a computer screen, yours for the princely sum of £29.99 a year or, for those willing to stretch their incredulity further, £49.99 for three years.
This is, undoubtedly, the footballing equivalent of selling deeds to a plot of land on the moon. It’s meaningless, intangible, and frankly, an insult to fans who are already digging deep into their pockets for match tickets, jerseys, and scarves—not to mention the energy spent travelling to away days or showing up for midweek fixtures in freezing December temperatures.
The announcement landed with all the grace of a missed sitter. Social media erupted, as you’d expect, with fans ranging from bewildered to outraged. The comments beneath the unveiling post were a gallery of horror and sarcasm: “Who’s buying this?” was the general tone. The idea of unwrapping such a ‘gift’ on Christmas morning—hoping for a new strip, perhaps, or tickets for a game—only to discover you now own an imaginary slice of Celtic Park, is almost comical. Almost.
This initiative isn’t just a misstep; it’s tone-deaf. At a time when supporters are basking in the team’s on-pitch success and feeling that rare but intoxicating sense of unity, such a move feels cynical, as if the decision-makers at the club believe the fans will buy into anything as long as it’s wrapped in green and white. And while Celtic Park may be a cathedral to football, selling virtual pews in the nave doesn’t feel like the sacred connection they’re aiming for.
What makes this worse is that Celtic—unlike some clubs—don’t need to resort to gimmicks. The fanbase is passionate, the stands are full, and the coffers are bolstered by European nights and a squad built with an eye on selling high-value talent.
To risk cheapening the connection between the club and its supporters with a blatant cash grab is frustratingly unnecessary.
The hope now is that this virtual pitch project quietly disappears into the ether before it becomes a long-running embarrassment. Celtic are better than this—or at least they should be.
More importantly, what does each patch of turf identify as…?
A cheap and embarrassing stunt that needs binned now…If I thought the Club had any shame over this…I’d tell them to hang their head in it….Shocking.
Looks like celtic are now following in sevcos rip offs, this is a shocking land grab.
Paying for a bit of virtual turf, something that’s going to cost you an absolute fortune, if your like 16 year old, you then buy a bit of screen turf, you live to a ripe auld age of 80, that’s 64 years at £29.99 or 21 x £49.99, that’s either £1319.56 or £1049.79 or £62.987.400 or £79.173.600, that’s some rip off for VIRTUALLY NOUGHT!!
Some of our fan base might actually be so STUPID as to actually do this.
Whoever is responsible for this rip-off, for that is what it is, should be thoroughly ashamed. Think about it! They actually think fans are mugs and will buy a piece of virtual grass. This is embarrassing and not what we should be about. Only stupid people can be conned like this. What have we come to?
Oh for heavens sakes get over your faux outrage. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it, it’s quite simple really
Absolutely absurd concept this is more in line with an online scam! The person or persons behind this nonsense should be named and shamed. This venture is a total insult to the supporters of our great club.
Tend to agree with Malcolm Campbell. Okay the whole idea is tacky and absurd but I don’t see much difference in fans buying up the latest expensive team playing kits etc that they don’t need simply to show off in public. The club is a business after all and a very successful one. You don’t approve or like you don’t buy. Simple. If some fans have so much extra cash they can waste it on this rubbish well it’s all going to a good cause .. Celtic Football Club!
Completely agree with this article. Not going to into a bun fight with fellow fans. We’ll leave that to the ‘others’ but a message to Malcolm. If you’re not embarrassed by this, I’m concerned. As mentioned, the club already make plenty of money from fans who already knowingly overpay for merch. No need to take the piss.
To those who are ” angered ” by supporters being ” outraged” about
this embarrassing money grab….Ostriches spring to mind…Dear oh dear oh dear.