We were in the ground nice and early on Saturday, sitting in the upper North Stand at ‘the Celtic end of the Jungle’ and sat watching the Green Brigade and Celtic Bhoys foot soldiers walk around every seat in the Jock Stein stand distributing leaflets urging season ticket holders to vacate to their seats to make way for their proposed new standing area – The Celtic End.
The Celtic End
A campaign to transform the Jock Stein stand into an iconic standing area.https://t.co/BsrMpNfcsG pic.twitter.com/SAQuX8K1cm
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) February 17, 2023
It’s a campaign that will certainly take a lot of persuasion and not only towards the supporters who enjoy their own little part of Celtic Park – many of whom have been in situ since Fergus McCann build the new stadium in the mid-1990s.
These supporter groups certainly don’t lack ambition and should they be successful, a Green Wall along the lines of the Yellow Wall at Dortmund would be a sight to behold. You can probably imagine it, but here’s the thing. The Green Brigade and Celtic Bhoys could do more than rely on fellow supporters – and of course the Celtic Board – by being painting a positive picture in their own minds.
What they need is an empty stand for a big match – a night-time game would be even better. One played under the lights with that special atmosphere they always produce for an important game. Maybe even one that is live on television and is sure the attract a substantial audience if it’s free to view, let’s say live on the BBC.
Then the opponent would have to be formidable, perhaps a big game that is vital to the destination of the title, or maybe a cup tie.
Then these supporters could take that empty stand, fill it with their target audience for the proposed new Celtic End at Paradise and demonstrate to the Celtic Board – who will be at the game – their fellow supporters sitting elsewhere in the stadium, and of course the wider support watching on television, that this is indeed a great idea and one that will benefit Celtic going forward.
Fat chance that such an opportunity could exist, which is a real shame for those supporters who passionately believe in their Celtic End proposals.
Wait a minute, wait a minute…perhaps opportunity knocks after all, and in short order…
This Friday night Fran Alonso’s Celtic side take on theRangers in a vital top of the table SWPL1 match at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie. We can confirm that contrary to previous advice, there will be a sizeable away support travelling to Airdrie on Friday night to support theRangers in the match that is also being shown live on BBC Alba.
Michael Nicholson usually shows up at these big games and you can be sure that the rest of the Celtic Board will be keeping a close eye on proceedings too, as a win for Celtic will put Alonso’s side top of the league as they look to win their first ever SWPL1 title.
The attendances for SWPL games at Airdrie have been disappointing, but that was not the case at the two cup finals that Celtic won last season played out at at Firhill and Tynecastle, which delivered the League Cup and Scottish Cups respectively. With thousands of Celtic fans at both matches the team really got a tremendous lift and deservedly defeated Glasgow City in both finals.
Friday Night football under the lights has always been special and as it’s Cup Final weekend, this game against theRangers at the Excelsior Stadium provides a fabulous warm-up weekend for Celtic supporters and a unique opportunity to see Celtic beat theRangers twice in the same weekend!
There will be three empty stands at Airdrie on Friday night. Hearts, Hibs and indeed theRangers have all had higher SWPL1 attendances than Celtic and it’s a real shame as this is a very decent side, with a real playing identity, one that is easy on the eye and that regularly results in important wins alongside impressive number of goals being scored.
So, to prove a point and show the wider Celtic family that the new Celtic End proposal is a great idea and one that should be supported, then there is an opportunity afforded to anyone looking to make such an impression materialising just when it is needed most.
Tickets are on sale now at just £8 or £4 for under 16s, so why not prove the point and have the Green Wall at the Glasgow Derby on Friday night?
It could be the perfect chance to put the theory behind the benefits of a Green wall at Celtic Park into positive practice. And it’s an opportunity that simply shouldn’t be missed.
And do you know what? They’d all absolutely love their Friday night under the lights at Airdrie watching Glasgow Celtic, putting on a show…
Friday night football, under the lights at the Excelsior Stadium! 🏟✨
Kickstart the double derby weekend by supporting the Ghirls next Friday, as the race for the #SWPL title heats up.
Tickets are available for home supporters to buy online now 🎟 ⬇️#CELRAN | #COYGIG🍀
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) February 17, 2023
Is it possibly airdrie is the wrong venue for the home games? I have never seen it as a Celtic friendly town, especially remember a few confrontations there when they used to be in the top flight and the a lot of union jacks dotted among the support. I knew that we have a few Celtic clubs there but would somewhere like Hamilton not be better venue?
That was a different club. 🤦♂️