Celtic suspiciously speedy in acting against Green Brigade

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That style might suit a PLC, but it sits uneasily with Celtic’s self-image as a club of people and principles. Supporters remember that Celtic was built by community action, not corporate governance. And when that heritage is replaced by statements written in the language of liability and risk management, it stings.

Even fans who have little time for the Green Brigade’s more confrontational antics recognise the imbalance. ‘I don’t believe a word the club says anymore,’ has become a common refrain, not out of blind loyalty to one group, but out of accumulated fatigue with how the club handles its own.

Every time this cycle repeats, the same pattern emerges. Allegations are issued in official language, headlines follow, supporters argue among themselves. The narrative is set before any evidence is seen, and by the time counterclaims surface, the damage is done.

Peter Lawwell, Chairman of Celtic, Dermot Desmond, Non-Executive Director of Celtic, and Michael Nicholson, CEO of Celtic, are seen in attendance prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

This ‘divide and conquer’ dynamic has long been the board’s unspoken advantage, whether intentional or not. Keep supporters divided, and the pressure dissipates. Yet in this case, the emergence of the Celtic Fans Collective suggests unity. The board may have expected to isolate the Green Brigade, instead, it may have galvanised the wider fanbase.

The club insists investigations are ongoing and further disciplinary action may follow. The Green Brigade and the Collective have called for dialogue, for the release of evidence, and for an independent process that treats supporters as participants rather than problems. So far, there’s no sign of movement.

Celtic fan protest poster outside Celtic Park on 29 October 2025. Photo The Celtic Star

Meanwhile, the “Not Another Penny” campaign gathers momentum, proxy vote disputes rumble on, and trust continues to drain from a relationship already running on fumes.

There are two realities that can both be true. If a steward was assaulted, that is unacceptable and deserves sanction. Equally, if stewards or police used unnecessary force, that too demands accountability. A club that claims to stand for fairness cannot selectively apply it.

But the larger truth is simpler, Celtic’s bond with its own support is fractured. The October incident may have been the latest spark, but the kindling has been years of miscommunication, defensiveness, and disregard.

Celtic say they act in the name of safety. The Green Brigade and the Collective say they act in the name of principle. Perhaps both are right, but until the club can rediscover the humility to listen, there will be no bridge between them.

For a club founded on unity and purpose, this is a bleak moment. A stadium built on song and solidarity has seemingly become a place of suspicion and surveillance. The people who bring colour and noise feel unwanted, and those in charge seem unmoved.

And yet, amid the anger, there remains a chance — slim but real — to turn this from confrontation to conversation. Dialogue is clearly still possible. The question is whether anyone at Celtic Park wants to communicate.

Niall J

Next up we’ll look at this latest development from the perspective of the Green Brigade themselves having extensively covered the club’s position, the Celtic Fans Collective’s view and various commentaries from writers on The Celtic Star…

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