Green Brigade Ban – Gaslighting Celtic cede decision making
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There’s no sign of the Celtic FC ban on the Green Brigade being lifted with the latest from Brian Wilson the interim Celtic Chairman being that the Ultras group must accept conditions imposed by Police Scotland before they are going to allowed access to Celtic Park…
Brian Wilson, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay at Pittodrie. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
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There’s been no indication at all from the Celtic Ultras group that they are prepared to agree to these terms and there has been no recent update from the Celtic Fans Collective on this, suggesting that no further progress has been made.
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7th February 2026 Celtic Park, Scottish Cup Football, Celtic versus Dundee Celtic manager Martin O’Neill looks thoughtful. Photo David Young
Martin O’Neill has got Celtic within two points of current league leaders Hearts with eight matches to play, four of which will be at Celtic Park. The feeling shared by a large number of Celtic supporters – and indeed by Martin O’Neill himself – is that it is vital to have our stadium at capacity and at full volume for these crucial matches which will include games against Hearts and the Rangers.
Scotland’s Shame – theRangers fans attacking the Celtic support at Ibrox after Celtic won the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
At the recent Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox the Union Bears entered the field of play and ran towards the celebrating Celtic supporters located in the Broomloan stand. The Celtic supporters were celebrating the victory and some had spilled onto the park. There was no aggression from these Celtic supporters but the same cannot be said about the Rangers ultras, many of whom were armed, who propelled a flare into the Celtic supporters in the lower Broomloan and who attacked and assaulted stewards, police and Celtic supporters.
A member of the Celtic coaching staff was also assaulted on the pitch by a Rangers supporter, not believed to be an ultra.
So while the Scottish FA’s Compliance Officer looks at all of this one question that many Celtic supporters have been asking themselves is this. How come the Green Brigade are banned from Celtic Park yet the Union Bears face no similar sanctions at Ibrox?
We understand that earlier this week the Rangers officials had a meeting with SAG (Safety Advisory Group), who alongside Police Scotland are at the heart of the long running Green Brigade ban Celtic Park. Police Scotland appear to have their own agenda, which we will get to.
Celtic supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Police Scotland were also at this meeting where the latest Ibrox club was apparently told that a ban for the Union Bears should happen. However clubs don’t actually have to follow the ADVICE of the Safety ADVISORY Group and that’s what has happened here. Rangers simply REFUSED to ban their ultras group, despite the advice that they were given.
Mark Hargreaves, Celtic FC. Screenshot via social media
Mark Hargreaves is the Head of Safety, Security and Operations at Celtic a role that he was appointed to after retiring from Police Scotland. Under Hargreaves guidance, Celtic has fully accepted the advice of SAG and Police Scotland but there is a strong argument that there are some conflicting interests here. A classic case of having a foot in both camps.
Celtic’s position as explained by Brian Wilson is that it’s currently the SAG and Police Scotland position that before any Green Brigade return, the Celtic ultras must agree to all of their conditions, including refraining from mentioning Police Scotland in their social media posts.
Latest Green Brigade update
This is where Celtic’s position is confused. Under the direction of former cop Mark Hargreaves, reportedly an old school chum of the Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson, Celtic appear to have abdicated all responsibility ceding the decision making to these outside bodies.
Chris McKay and Michael Nicholson arrive at Ibrox.theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Yet the Rangers example is clear and their case to answer is clearly much greater than Celtic’s. You can simply refuse to accept the advice given. Celtic can lift the ban, certainly until the end of the season where a longer term solution can be sought.
This week The Celtic Star spoke to a senior legal professional with significant hands on experience in football policy on Scotland. And the information that we have received is significant.
He/she confirmed that Celtic do NOT need to follow the advice given by SAG but they simply choose to do so as they wish to maintain their good relationship with the group.
This is a policy decision by Celtic and the decision to continue the ban on the Green Brigade is Celtic’s and Celtic’s decision alone.
He/she explained that the Rangers don’t have the same desire to work as closely with SAG, the Ibrox club maintains an ongoing working relationship with SAG but keeps them at arms length. They do not necessity follow all advice given, as indeed is their right. Accordingly they have listened to the advice given regarding banning the Union Bears but instead of acting on it they are looking at dealing with the matter themselves, possibly through meetings, waiting for the Scottish FA’s Compliance report before acting or other options that they as a football club decide.
Over 200 Celtic season ticket holders have paid their money yet have been denied access to the stadium for over 30 matches. Like Rangers, Celtic could easily have taken on board the advice from SAG and Police Scotland then looked to find their own solutions. By showing they are not prepared to do that they have ceded all the power to SAG and also to Police Scotland who also have their own financial agenda in this matter.
Police officers at Ibrox for the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Police Scotland want both clubs to agree to pay for Police at the ultras sections at Celtic Park and Ibrox and argue that stewards are NOT able to do this job adequately. That seems like a likely outcome that could come via the SFA Compliance Officer report especially given the lack of bodies – stewards and Police combined – at the recent Scottish Cup match at Ibrox.
Police Scotland charge clubs for their officers inside the grounds but not outside. The clubs have reduced their numbers over recent years preferring to employ stewards, Celtic use a subcontractor for this while the Rangers have their own firm. The cost of stewarding is significantly lower than the cost of having Police officers inside the stadium.
Celtic’s subservience in this matter has affected Celtic’s season and denied hundreds of Celtic supporters access to games for the vast majority of the season. Mark Hargreaves also appears to have foot in his former employers camp while Michael Nicholson looks to be both weak and mute, failing to put Celtic’s best interests first.
Celtic CEO Micheal Nicholson looks on during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
There is absolutely no reason at all why Celtic Football club cannot lift this ban immediately while confirming that they will look at a permanent solution at the end of the season, taking on board all advice that they have received from SAG and Police Scotland.
Yes, Celtic have heard from SAG and Police Scotland but it is their stadium, their customers, their supporters and ultimately their decision. They can take on the advice received then reach an acceptable agreement with the Green Brigade – the power is Celtic’s and Celtic’s alone. No more hiding behind the SAG and Police Scotland shields. This is Celtic’s ban and Celtic’s alone.
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
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