THE CELTIC STAR, stuck outside Tynecastle last night, broke the news from on the spot that many hundreds of Celtic supporters had been herded together and left locked outside the Stadium for no apparent reason in what looked like a coordinated decision by Police Scotland and the Hearts Stewards.
Here are the pictures we posted last night in case you missed them…
This morning one of the Celtic supporters clubs, the Govan Emerald CSC contacted John Paul Taylor the Celtic FC SLO with this message about the event that took place outside Tynecastle Park last night from around 7.10pm-to 8pm.
“John Paul, some of photos I’ve seen from last night are shocking some my members were at stadium from 7.10pm just got in for kick off. Safety outside surely must come first, it was pitch black, people all moving forward with no where to go someone is going to get hurt mate,” the GOVAN EMERALD CSC warned.
@CelticFCSLO Jp some of photos av seen fae last night are shocking some ma members were at stadium fae 710pm just got in for kick off safety outside surely must come first it pitch black people all moving forward with no where too go someone is going to get hurt mate
— GOVAN EMERALD CSC 🇻🇦 (@GovanEmerald) December 19, 2019
And to be fair to JP, he replied pretty much straight away, agreeing with the points made and stating that something needs to be done.
“Agree, wasn’t an easy night for fans trying get access, arrangements need to be reviewed,” the Celtic SLO replied.
Agree, wasn't an easy night for fans trying get access, arrangements need to be reviewed
— Celtic FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) December 19, 2019
Photos – Missed Kick-off Frustration as Celtic fans held outside Tynecastle https://t.co/ERybTWfdZl
— Henriklubo (@Henriklubo) December 19, 2019
“Another disaster waiting to happen at Tynecastle tonight. How long has this to be tolerated. We pay £34 to be herded in and put in potential crush situations. Has Celtic asked Anne Budge how many trained stewards she pays for on match night?” Jeanette Findlay asked JP last night from outside the ground.
Another disaster waiting to happen at Tynecattle tonight. How long has this to be tolerated. We pay £34 to be herded in and put in potential crush situations. Has @celticfc asked Anne Budge how many trained stewards she pays for on match night? @CelticFCSLO pic.twitter.com/5Q1bFzO572
— Jeanette Findlay (@JeanFind) December 18, 2019
“Horrific pushing and crowding outside Tynecastle. No organisation. Dangerous. Kids getting squashed. Needs sorted,” Stephen Bissett tweeted and posted this video to show what it was like.
Horrific pushing and crowding outside Tynecastle. No organisation. Dangerous. Kids getting squashed. Needs sorted @CelticFCSLO pic.twitter.com/2InPv7mEN5
— Stephen Bissett (@stephenbissettt) December 18, 2019
Celtic fans had a recent bad experience with the Janefield Street Crush in September 2018 ahead of the Glasgow Derby. Curiously Oliver Ntcham scored the winner that day and also netted a cracker last night as Celtic beat Hearts 2-0 to go five points clear at the top of the league.
But that would have all been incidental and irrelevant had someone got hurt last night or in that passageway behind the North stand. On both occasions it was left to the Celtic support to remain calm and act sensibly to avoid a major incident occurring.
Hopefully Celtic are on the case on this today and we’ll get assurances ahead of our next visit to Tynecastle that their entry system has improved.
