As Celtic looks set to win yet another Scottish Premiership title, discussions have reportedly been underway between the club, Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland, and local politicians regarding a potential organised celebration according to the Glasgow Times.
Disruption Overshadows Celtic’s Success
Celtic fans are used to celebrating in style, but recent celebrations have been affected by a small group of people. Last May, 25,000 fans gathered in Merchant City to celebrate Celtic’s third straight league title, but instead of a joyful event, it was marred by disorder and damage. While the actions of a few should not be accepted, it’s clear that this could have been prevented if the council and local authorities had organised a proper celebration.
A Lack of Support for Football Fans
Rather than criticising the fans who, by and large, showed nothing but pride and emotion, it’s worth asking why no organised and controlled title party has ever happened. Celebrations in cities outside Scotland, where fans are allowed to gather in an orderly manner, stand in contrast to Glasgow’s lack of planning. It’s as though there’s a disregard for football fans and their right to celebrate success.
Local MSP Kaukab Stewart and Glasgow City Council have repeatedly been involved in discussions about these issues, but their solution appears to be focused on controlling the situation after the fact, rather than proactively encouraging an environment where fans can enjoy the occasion responsibly. “We need a long-term solution,” Stewart said, but you could rightly argue that this long-term solution should have already been in place years ago.
Glasgow’s Reluctance to Embrace Football Celebrations
While the council and Police Scotland have voiced their concerns about public safety, there has been a clear lack of action when it comes to organising events that would allow fans to celebrate safely, rather than any small disorder. In other countries, cities take pride in hosting parades and celebrations after a team’s success, but Glasgow’s failure to do so for Celtic shows a failure to understand the importance of football in the city’s culture.
Football Fans Deserve Better
Celtic fans have long been known for their passion, loyalty, and support, and they deserve the opportunity to celebrate the Hoops’ success with the dignity and organisation it deserves. Local authorities must do more than just acknowledge the problem. They must take steps to ensure celebrations are properly organised, so fans can take to the streets safely, proudly and without fear of being disrupted or criminalised for their enthusiasm.
It’s time for the authorities in Glasgow to stop blaming fans for the disorder and instead create a platform where supporters can celebrate responsibly. Celtic’s continued domestic success deserves to be celebrated in the way it truly deserves, not tainted by poor planning and a continued lack of respect for Scottish football fans.
