Ruairi Daly 
Steve Welsh/Getty Images Sport
Unfortunately, it was a case of when, not if the Green Brigade were going to get banned from Celtic Park. The noise they create is unmatched, but it’s not without fault.
The two games in question, Hearts in the league title lifting game last season and Linfield on Wednesday were highlighted in Celtic’s statement as those that raised concerns about safety and the display of paramilitary banners.
For all the colour, the noise they make and the charity work they do, it’s banners like Wednesday’s which will divide the fanbase and cause unnecessary problems. I’ve no problem with the banner displayed myself or the rebs being sung, I’ll even join in with the singing because I’m proud of my heritage. Other people do have a problem, and it’s not a good idea to be alienating supporters from one another when we are all at the stadium for one cause – backing the team.
But we know banners like Wednesday’s will cause issues, especially with UEFA. It’s a bit like poking a bee hive and walking off thinking nothing will happen. As Roger Smith the RA man, he’s been at the centre of attention since Wednesday. On a serious note, it was a clear depiction of someone in IRA paramilitary uniform, down to the Easter Lily badge on the beret. Being a proud Republican from the north of Ireland living in England for the last three years, the IRA is a very complicated issue. You can’t deny people’s displeasure towards what they did, and people can’t deny my and others displeasure towards loyalist paramilitaries and the British Army as well. That’s all I’m going to say about the political history, because I could write 10,000 word thesis detailing it all.
Celtic have generally let fans down over years. As long as things are going well on the field – which is what matters most – then their faults are largely forgotten about. However the ticket mess that unfolded before the Linfield game meant this season got off to the worst possible start. Little has been said by the club publicly regarding the abuse fans and players received at Ibrox in April and Windsor Park last week, amongst other issues which have flared up from time to time.
Celtic’s introduction of the safe standing section was nothing short of brilliant. The Green Brigade, who occupy the front of the North Curve, have been tremendous over the last year bringing fantastic colour, creativity and noise to Celtic Park. The noise was second to none every game, even in the cold Christmas midweek games! I can easily say we have the best atmosphere in the UK, and you only have to look at clubs in England sending representatives to get a closer look at the standing section as proof of that.
The display against Hearts was mesmerising. Dangerous, yes, but stunning. I get both sides of the argument, but I won’t get goosebumps sitting in my seat doing what I’m told all the time. It was a safety concern, but nothing happened in the end. The reason I loved it so much was because I’ve never heard the stadium louder than during that period in the game. Stood yards away from the Green Brigade, my ears were still ringing the next day. That’s what we want as fans.
On Wednesday’s game, for the first time ever police stood among the standing section on stairways and blocked all the aisles. The Celtic liaison officer tweeted that the police made the decision, and don’t need permission to do so. I’m not sure why they felt the need to as there have never been any health and safety concerns until they arrived. Further tweets say the standing section was overcrowded as people who were not supposed to be there gained entry – which is the fault of security and the stupidity of those going to an area they shouldn’t be in. All in all, it’s a mess, which is something fans have unfortunately become accustomed to.
Something didn’t seem right when the Green Brigade walked out last Saturday prior to the friendly against Lyon – our first game at home since May. And the latest actions from the club probably back that up further that there was discontent behind the scenes. The two-game ban imposed on the Green Brigade is a direct result of not following the rules. Hate them all you like, they’re in place for a reason at the end of the day. It was going to happen eventually and it’s a shame it did. We have to hope the team don’t suffer against Rosenborg in the Champions League qualifier and Hearts in our league opener.
Now it’s up to the club and Green Brigade have to patch up whatever the issues are, and focus on making sure those on the field get the backing they did last season, and greater. The ban was unfortunate, but inevitable. For now, the trench coat will be put away, but when it’s back again, there’s no doubt the Green Brigade will make sure people know they are back.
