CELTIC have asked the authorities to allow 18,000 fans into Parkhead for Tuesday’s Champions League first leg second round qualifier against FC Midtjylland.
The ambitious bid comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that clubs will be given the go-ahead to have crowds of 2000 back inside grounds from Monday.
However, new Hoops chief executive Dominic McKay moved swiftly following the news by submitting a special application to have almost TEN times that number permitted for the tie against the Danes, according to a report in the Daily Record.
Ms Sturgeon has left the option for clubs to request bigger attendances when she confirmed the next stage of relaxing Covid restrictions when the country moves to level zero in five days’ time.
But McKay is pleading Celtic’s case by pointing out 2,500 Scotland fans were in Hampden for the Euros last month, despite the rules at the time only allowing for 500.
It is understood the club are still awaiting an answer after opening discussions with politicians and health chiefs.
Parkhead will host 2,000 spectators for the friendly against Preston on Saturday and an identical number will be permitted to attend the match against West Ham the following weekend.
