Celtic’s speed in acting against Green Brigade took the breath away

Accounts from within the section paint a more complex picture. Supporters who were present describe the spark as minor, a fan returning to the stand at half-time, with a cup of water in each hand, was stopped by a steward during a ticket check, and attempted to stop him entering the stand by physically grabbing him.

The police then stepped in, physically restraining the supporter. From there, the situation escalated quickly. Those nearby, believing they were witnessing unnecessary force, rushed to intervene. In the crush of the narrow concourse, shouting and confusion followed, an officer pressed a panic button, and reinforcements arrived. Within moments, the supporter was free, the flashpoint over, and the match resumed.

Those close to the group insist the club’s footage tells only part of the story, showing the aftermath but not the escalation that caused it. They claim to hold their own images that show the supporter pinned by police and stewards. To them, this was a minor confrontation inflated into a crisis, the inevitable outcome of what they see as an increasingly tense, over-policed environment in the Rail Seating Section.

The same voices point to a breakdown in trust that predates this match. They say repeated attempts to raise concerns about stewarding and police presence were ignored. An earlier understanding, they claim, had kept police off the concourse to avoid flashpoints, but this season that policy changed. The new security regime, introduced under Head of Safety and Operations Mark Hargreaves, has, they argue, created an atmosphere of surveillance and provocation rather than safety.

Against that backdrop, it’s no surprise that some supporters interpret the club’s response as punitive rather than protective, a coordinated effort between the club and Police Scotland to silence dissent under the cover of safety.

That accusation resonated because it fits a pattern that goes back years.

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