Glasgow City Council has removed bus stops and boarded up parts of the city centre, including entrances to the iconic Tolbooth Steeple at Glasgow Cross, ahead of expected large-scale celebrations by Celtic supporters this weekend.

The measures come as thousands of fans are set to flood into the Trongate area on Saturday following Celtic’s final league match of the season and the presentation of the Scottish Premiership trophy. With no official fan zone provided, supporters are expected to gather spontaneously in the city centre as they have done in recent years.

As part of what the council describes as a “public safety response,” several pieces of street furniture have been temporarily taken away, including seating and bus shelters. Doors to the clock tower, a key landmark at the heart of the celebrations, have also been boarded up.

No public bins or temporary toilets have been seen to be installed in the area, raising concerns that litter and public disturbance will follow as in previous years. Last year, the post-event clean-up cost the council over £70,000. Despite this, no formal infrastructure has been put in place to manage the expected crowds.

Critics argue the council is repeating the same mistakes, opting for reactive measures rather than proactive planning. Police Scotland and community groups have previously recommended an organised fan zone—potentially at Glasgow Green—to offer a safer and more controlled environment for supporters to celebrate.

The decision to prepare for disruption rather than facilitate celebration has drawn further scrutiny this year, with tensions also expected due to a scheduled Orange Order march passing through the same area on Saturday.

Celtic have not commented publicly on the situation, and no official fan event has been announced. Local businesses have been advised to plan for “significant footfall and disruption” on the day.

We would implore any Celtic fan heading down there to be on their best behaviour and take your rubbish with you when you leave.