Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that Celtic will need to apply to Glasgow City Council in order to host a full stadium. In today’s COVID-19 update from Edinburgh, the First Minister said that organizers would have to ask and inform the local council and Scottish Gov about their intention to put on events. This means that there may be a delay to the return of capacity crowds next weekend when Celtic face FC Jablonec in The Europa League Qualifiers.
Crowds over 5k will need to be applied for but given the restrictions have been dropped, you would expect that 60,000 will be on the horizon soon. Scotland will exit Level 0 next Monday after the FM confirmed that Scotland would lift the majority of remaining restrictions.
BREAKING:
FM @NicolaSturgeon says physical distancing rules and limits on social gatherings will be lifted in Scotland from Monday
via @BBCScotlandNews pic.twitter.com/Zf2xor8xjP
— BBC Radio Scotland (@BBCRadioScot) August 3, 2021
NS: “Fifth, while we expect the careful return of large scale events we will, for a limited period, keep in place the processes through which organisers of outdoor events of more than 5000 and indoor events of more than 2000 will have to apply for permission.”
— The SNP (@theSNP) August 3, 2021
The news is good if Celtic are able to get increased numbers and Sturgeon was positive in her messaging so we have something to look forward to even if the support may be waiting a slight while longer for a return to total normality.
Celtic will play Dundee this Sunday with 24,500 in attendance before the game against the Czech side on 12th August. Ange Postecoglou’s side will then face Hearts in the League Cup on Sunday 15th and fans will be hoping that the amount of supporters will be increasing ahead of the return to normality.