Celtic Park is on the verge of another European sell-out as tickets for Wednesday night’s Champions League playoff against Kairat have almost completely gone.
Sales were initially sluggish when general tickets went on sale on Thursday, but the last few days have seen demand surge, with only a handful now left. By kick-off, Paradise will once again be packed for a crucial qualifier under the lights.
The slower start to sales hasn’t gone unnoticed. In years gone by, one European qualifier would be bundled into a Celtic season ticket, leaving fewer general seats available. That no longer applies. Season ticket holders were asked to pay £29 for their place, with some opting not to take Celtic up on their offer.
It meant more tickets were left on general sale than usual and, given the pricing, some fans delayed committing. Still, as is so often the case, the Celtic support has come through in the end. The loyalty of a fanbase prepared to pay again and again ensures the club gets its full house — even if it feels like the board is more interested in squeezing every penny out of a support time and time again.
Once the turnstiles click on Wednesday, the grumbles will be set aside and the focus will shift entirely to the pitch. Celtic will need every ounce of backing against the Kazakh visitors as they look to secure a place in the league stage. The noise and colour of a near 60,000 crowd should once more give Brendan Rodgers’ men the kind of backing that makes Celtic Park one of the most intimidating venues in European football.
