CELTIC have lifted the suspension on a section of the support with four games to go at Parkhead before the end of a topsy-turvy season.
And former goal hero Chris Sutton reacted immediately to the announcement when he said on X: “The Green Brigade are back in to cheer Celtic to the title…”
It’s positive thinking from the media pundit with the champions trailing Hearts by three points with six games to go to the campaign crescendo.
The Hoops are also two adrift of Danny Rohl’s team, but, crucially, both the Edinburgh and Ibrox clubs have to play in the east end of Glasgow after the split, as CQN reported yesterday.
Martin O’Neill’s men are at home to Premier Sports League Cup conquerors St Mirren on Saturday with a traditional 3pm kick-off.
They play the Paisley outfit again the following weekend in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden before the focus returns to the pursuit of the team’s fifth successive title.
And there will be sell-out crowds at Parkhead for the home encounters against Falkirk, Rangers and Hearts with games at Hibs and Motherwell also to be negotiated.
Now the suspension of a section of the fans have been lifted “with effect from Saturday’s home game against St Mirren”.
An initial six-game ban was imposed on around 200 people in early November following “violent and threatening behaviour” at a home match against Falkirk in late October and the suspension was extended at the start of December because of “safety incidents”.
Interim gaffer O’Neill said in February “some progress” had been made following discussions between the club and the supporters group.
In a statement from Celtic last night, they announced: “The Club is pleased to confirm that a route has been found to lift the suspension of the Green Brigade with effect from Saturday’s game against St Mirren.
“On March 27th, at a meeting of Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group, the Club again addressed the suspension on the Green Brigade. The SAG confirmed that it did not object to the suspension being lifted, subject to three conditions being satisfied.
“These were that all applicable policies will be adhered to, including season ticket terms and conditions; agreement that members will comply with the safety and security operations; recognition that a match-by-match report will be submitted to the Safety Advisory Group, for as long as they deem it necessary.
“We communicated this to the Green Brigade and asked for their unconditional acceptance. They have today responded positively by accepting these conditions, as outlined.
“Celtic interim chairman, Brian Wilson, said: ‘I am pleased we have reached this point where suspensions can be lifted with the agreement of Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group on terms which apply to supporters throughout the stadium.
“’On that basis, a full and united Celtic Park can get behind the team at this crucial point in the season’.”
TITLE RUN-IN: CELTIC v HEARTS GRAND FINALE?
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