Celtic responds to Green Brigade’s statement regarding Celtic FC Women matches.

The Green Brigade announced today that their planned Green Wall will return to the Jock Stein Stand, also known as The Celtic End, for the two upcoming SWPL1 matches in which title-chasing Celtic FC Women will face Hearts and Hibs over the next few months.

North Curve Celtic announced earlier this week that they would be returning to Celtic Park for women’s matches, and I can’t think of anyone in the Celtic FC Women’s setup who wouldn’t have been overjoyed with the news.

Without exaggeration, the return of The Green Wall could help Celtic FC Women win their first SWPL1 trophy. So it is significant.

After that exciting news, we were brought back down to earth with an almighty thump today when the Ultras Group released a statement on their social media channels stating that the Green Wall would no longer be built and pointing the finger of blame at two senior Celtic executives.

“Despite our best intentions and efforts, the club has refused to facilitate The Celtic End for the upcoming Celtic FC Women matches at Celtic Park,” the Green Brigade stated.

“This is in stark contrast to similar matches last May where fan reps worked constructively with the club to promote the matches and draw record crowds.”

This is absolutely correct and anyone in the two record breaking crowds would be able to tell you just how spectacular a performance the fans in that Celtic End put on to drive the team to victory on both occasions, without any bother at all. So far, so good.

Things are now getting a little messy, with both Celtic directors, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay, receiving harsh criticism. Again, The North Curve’s statement:

“This decision has been taken by Michael Nicholson, CEO, and Chris McKay, CFO. It is vindictive against the concept of The Celtic End, the fan groups behind the idea and the thousands of fans who want to see some level of consideration given to a goal-end standing section to rejuvenate a stale Celtic Park.”

North Curve Celtic continue: “Shamefully, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay would rather Celtic FC Women suffer defeat than have another positive advertisement for The Celtic End. Ironically, this decision contradicts the club’s statement following the cancellation of away tickets to the recent SWPL Glasgow Derby, in which it criticised others for undermining the promotion and progress of the women’s game.

“At a critical time in both the men’s and women’s seasons, we have no desire to engage in a public spat which may distract positive support for both teams. For this reason, as well as for unreasonable obstacles, it is regrettable that we will not attend the upcoming Celtic FC Women matches at Celtic Park.”

So, as things stand, the Green Brigade will NOT be attending the two women’s game and there will be no Green Wall. This is likely to have the negative consequences that they fear will occur.

In other news, Brendan Rodgers defends summer signing following a challenging Celtic start.