As Celtic edge closer to yet another Scottish Premiership title, the lack of planning for a special celebration has once again highlighted the disregard shown towards football supporters in Glasgow. Despite a so-called ‘productive discussion’ between MSP Kaukab Stewart, community councils, the SPFL, Glasgow City Council, and Police Scotland, no concrete plans have been put in place to accommodate Celtic fans looking to mark their club’s success (Glasgow Times).
Over the past few years, thousands of supporters have taken to the streets of Merchant City and Trongate to celebrate league victories, yet rather than working towards a structured and safe event, authorities seem more focused on preventing gatherings altogether. Last May, around 25,000 Celtic fans filled the streets in celebration, yet instead of being embraced as an opportunity to showcase the city’s passion for football, the narrative quickly turned to policing and disruption.
It’s no secret that a small number of incidents have occurred in past celebrations, but it’s not fair to paint an entire support in a negative light. Rather than criminalising fans, Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland should be taking steps to facilitate a controlled event, such as a fan zone at Glasgow Green, which would allow supporters to celebrate safely without causing disruption to local businesses and residents. This is the approach taken in other major footballing cities, where successful teams are given the recognition they deserve through properly organised parades and events.
A spokesperson for Merchant City and Trongate Community Council acknowledged that while discussions have taken place, there is still no assurance that previous years’ issues will not be repeated. There has been talk of clubs communicating with their fans to discourage mass gatherings, but this completely misses the point. Supporters will naturally want to celebrate the Hoops achievements, and refusing to plan for that reality is both short-sighted and unfair.
The continued reluctance from authorities to engage in proactive solutions only fuels frustration. Celtic fans deserve to be treated with respect, not as a problem to be managed. The club’s success should be a moment of pride for Glasgow, not an excuse for politicians and police to demonise its supporters. If proper arrangements were made, celebrations could be both fun and safe. Instead, once again, the blame will fall on Celtic supporters, while those in power refuse to take responsibility for failing to provide a sensible alternative.
