Brendan Rodgers was asked about the return of the Green Brigade and Celtic’s Ultra groups more generally at his press conference and insisted everyone must stick together now. It comes amidst the truce which has broken out for the time being between the club and those fan groups who had been given an expulsion for the past several weeks.
The breakdown in communication between both parties has been a sad thing to watch as supporters and there is no denying we have lost something without their raucous backing and continuous singing which gives the team that extra edge during games. The team has visibly suffered on the park as a result of this, and now we find ourselves in a real title scrap having been eight points clear at one point.
That’s all by the by now and we have to start getting things back on track and in harmonious unison within the club. Regardless of our feelings towards the Celtic Board or certain supporters groups, we must rally around the team together and stop the rot which has managed to set in of late. The performances have been so poor compared to last year and it was a matter of time before the results reflected that. Now is about connection with the players on the park and helping them through a difficult period.
Rodgers has called on everyone to bare this responsibility for the Hoops and has revealed he’s delighted to have the Green Brigade back inside the stadium. Speaking earlier on today, he said at his media conference at Lennoxtown: “Well it’s absolutely everything. It’s what makes Celtic tick is the support because there is such an emotional connection. Celtic’s history is littered with late goals and a big part of that is down to the fans and the whole stadium getting behind the team. That’s what makes Celtic.
“When you have the manager, the supporters and the players all on the same page it’s a real force that we have in the game. It hasn’t been the atmosphere for a number of weeks, but that is the responsibility of everyone. But we know when the atmosphere is white hot at Celtic it makes it a really difficult place to come, and it gives the players the extra edge as well.
“Listen for the guys to be back in there it’s great. They have given an ambience in that corner section. The club gave them that opportunity to have the first safe standing area in Britain, so hopefully they can get back in tomorrow and support the team. It’s their responsibility as well as the whole stadium to really get behind the team to help us get the result.”
Paul Gillespie
