Celtic Renewals – Numbers are decent, certainly comparable with across the road

THE CELTIC STAR has learned that the number of Celtic season ticket renewals at least matches and has probably surpassed the numbers quoted at the weekend for the Rangers renewal total. We also understand that there is now a significant increasing in the pace of renewals as the club’s deadline is now less than a week away.

In an email to season ticket holders, Celtic thanked the thousands of supporters who have already renewed.

“Thank you to the thousands of you who have already renewed for the season ahead. Your support is so vital to the club during this time, and we can’t wait to start this journey together.

Your support is crucial to the club as we prepare for the monumental season ahead. We are asking you to stand with us every step of the way, and play your part in creating history as Neil Lennon leads his squad into the club’s most important season.”

That’s the public message but we wanted some insight into how things are going so reached out to our well placed source for an update. There had been some worrying comments on some message boards at the weekend claiming that the renewals were at worrying levels and that the more expensive season ticket holders were particularly slow in renewing. That came after the Rangers issued an update statement on their official website in which they stated that renewals were already at 32,000.

“We are delighted to confirm that over 32,000 supporters have renewed their 2020/21 season tickets.This is a phenomenal response from our support whose loyalty continues to surpass their own high standards,” the Rangers statement revealed.

The Rangers fans at Ibrox last season watch on as Odsonne Edouard gives Celtic the lead.

So we contacted our source – and you will recall that the information we receive tends to be spot on at 100% accuracy levels – to see where Celtic stand with regard to renewal numbers to ask if there was anything to be concerned about re how many supporters so far had renewed, if we were behind the renewal numbers claimed across the city and if the more expensive ticket renewals weren’t doing well.

The response we received earlier today was re-assuring.

Renewal Numbers at Celtic are decent and certainly are comparable with across the road at the very least. The concern about the more expensive tickets seems to be unfounded as there is not yet a pattern non take up. There are healthy daily renewal numbers now and the totals are increasing significantly each day as the deadline approaches.

Celtic are going to Ten in a Row this season

The Rangers gave their fans some hope that the may be limited numbers of supporters allowed back inside grounds by the end of August but Celtic are not doing this. Neil Lennon, Scott Brown and other Celtic players have spoken about the desire to get the fans back as quickly as possible but only when it is safe to do so, and that could mean limited numbers being allowed back into games very early in the season.

Indeed we reported at the weekend that the French Government are to allow up to 5,000 supporters back into football matches from 11 July and one of the first visiting teams to France could be Celtic, who are in negotiations with PSG about a friendly match later in July.

In the meantime the club have been meeting with various supporters groups to discuss concerns surrounding the virtual aspect of this season’s supporter experience for season ticket holders and news on any clarifications and compromises will be revealed this week.

Anyone who had the misfortune to watch that goalless draw in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday evening will appreciated that Jock Stein hit the nail on the head when he said football without fans is nothing. Well hopefully Celtic won’t be without fans for too long with at least some fans likely to be back shortly after the new season begins.

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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