Regular listeners of talkSPORT will be well aware of Simon Jordan’s stance on the Green Brigade, with the former Crystal Palace owner having frequently voiced criticism of the Celtic ultras group…
His commentary throughout the season has consistently reflected a broader view on Celtic supporters and a range of other issues, leaving little ambiguity about his position.
Celtic’s confirmation on Tuesday that the Green Brigade would be reinstated was largely welcomed by the club’s fanbase, with many viewing it as a positive step.
However – speaking on Wednesday’s broadcast show – Jordan suggested the reaction had been less favourable, a claim that appears to be at odds with the general mood among supporters.
He said on talkSPORT: “It doesn’t seem that they actually want [the GB] to do very much.”
“Ultimately, what they’re suggesting is that they’ve got to adhere to these season ticket policies, they’ve got to accept the safety and security operations of the stadium, and they’ve got to accept game-by-game review.
“Now, the game-by-game review is the caveat, isn’t it? Because obviously, they’ve brought the attention upon themselves with their previous behaviour. It would appear, judging by calls that we have in this show, that the Celtic board regard them differently than, perhaps, the fans do.”
“The Celtic board seem to regard them as a necessary evil to serve a greater good, and maybe that’s because they want the dissenters inside the tent rather than screaming from outside in, I don’t know.”
Jordan added: “For me, it almost feels slightly whimsical to watch a grown man talk about a group that calls themselves the Green Brigade. It’s almost like talking about the cub scouts in a serious nature.
“But, I guess, it’s different in that part of the world. I look at it and say: ‘The SAG, the safety and advisory group, which comprises of the council, comprises of the police and comprises of a football representative from the football club, which will be the stadium manager of some description, and a fan representative.
“It’s those guys that have decided whether these guys should be allowed back in again. So the police are involved. So you would’ve thought, given the fact that there’s been a lot of trouble and issues inside stadium…
“We’ve had guys phoning in and saying ‘these guys are just a pain in the backside. They have no respect for anything around them, they do as they want, both inside Celtic Park and at away grounds.’
“It’s not just Celtic, it’s their participation in behaviour around the country at other football stadiums which, to some extent, Celtic have less control over.”
There seems to be an apparent lack of balance in talkSPORT’s, where they have failed to mention the Green Brigade’s consistent denial of allegations relating to “serious and threatening behaviour.”
As with many disputes of this nature, there are competing narratives at play, despite suggestions to the contrary from the likes of Jordan.
When the ban was first introduced, Celtic distributed a video to supporters that was presented as evidence, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to influence opinion against the group – an effort from the Celtic board that backfired spectacularly.
Conor Spence
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Apology for for threatening behavior and flying using Celtic to support anorchy
Saxon clown has nothing good to say about Celtic supporters.hh
This issue surrounding the GB is going to continue to split opinions within our support imo?
As much as I’m happy about there return for our remaining games, still don’t believe that the issue surrounding them is resolved by any means either imo?
Will they be in a position for season tickets next season?
I somehow don’t think that they will be offered renewals.
Which hasn’t been much of an issue, where they have still managed to attend games, regardless of any such ban on them?
So this standoff between them and the board, which is a continuing season on season issue, will continue as things currently stand imo.
With the continuing support from this collective, potentially makes the intentions of the collective less effective also?
Personally don’t believe that the GB have as much support as a group, within our wider supporter base, as they would like to have at present imo?
Our club, certainly isn’t all about the GB either, as much as they portray the likes.
For all there good points they offer to our club, there actions can continue to discredit themselves also?
So overall, I welcome there return for the remainder of this season.
However, don’t believe that the issues surrounding themselves as a group, is anywhere close to being resolved either, so this issue will rumble on for sometime yet imo?