Celtic ultras begin Parkhead protest as they call for ‘change’ again

Celtic ultras – known as the Green Brigade – begin their Parkhead protest as they call for ‘change’ ahead of Monday’s game against Hibernian.

It was just a few weeks ago that Celtic managed to beat Hearts on penalties in the 2019/20 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park.

There were party scenes as the club’s fanbase at they waved the club off, forgetting how the team are getting on for the 2020/21 season.

Celtic let a 2-0 lead slip in the second half, then Leigh Griffiths put his side back ahead in the first half of extra time before Josh Ginnelly equalised in the second period.

Celtic then won the penalty shootout 4-3 after two saves from 22-year-old Conor Hazard, leaving many impressed on the day.

Celtic fans decided to set off green smoke bombs and break lockdown restrictions outside Hampden Park.

It was just a few weeks ago that angry supporters turned up outside Celtic Park to demand for the sacking of their manager following the Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County. The angry scenes saw some fans arrested by police.

But the fans then decided to back Lennon’s corner at lunchtime, cheering the players as the team bus went past them.

The lawless element in the #Celtic support – The Green-eyed monster Brigade – break lockdown and gather at Hampden.
An embarrassment for the majority of fans.
The question is are they attacking the team bus this week or cheering it?
Mobs are fickle by nature…#ScottishCupFinal pic.twitter.com/e5nQTdDn9e

— David Tanner (@DavidTannerTV) December 20, 2020

Police officers were left hurt and one particular cameraman was told he’d ‘get slashed’ at an illegal Celtic fan protest following a 2-0 defeat to Ross County.

Hoops fans gathered in their thousands outside the Celtic Park stadium to call for their manager to be sacked having just been knocked out of the Betfred Cup, a trophy they have won each of the last four years.

Many called it the final straw, even more so as back then in the league Celtic remain 11 points behind bitter rivals Rangers and although they have two games in hand, the tension to achieve Ten In A Row means there is little margin for error.

Meanwhile, Rangers are now 22 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table with Celtic having four games in hand over them.

So the focus for Celtic fans goes back on to the current campaign and their fans have left a banner outside of the club’s stadium demanding change following the Dubai travel debacle.

It also comes with 15 Celtic players and staff forced to self-isolate following their return from the United Arab Emirates.

The club travelled for a warm weather training camp, however Christopher Jullien returned a positive test on his arrival back in Scotland.

Now a further 13 players, with Neil Lennon and John Kennedy included, to have been deemed close contacts.

Hibernian have consulted their players over whether they feel comfortable playing in Monday’s game; some are believed to have reservations about participating, but it is unclear at this stage if any have chosen not to play.

The ultras group have made a banner with Peter Lawwell dressed as Comical Ali and it says ‘Everything is under control’.

They posted the image with a caption that said: “It’s time for a regime change.”

It’s time for a regime change pic.twitter.com/9eFRiPRCw5

— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) January 11, 2021

Angry fans have demanded into how the issue happened and are wondering why Jullien had even travelled to Dubai with the player already injured from their win over Dundee United on Boxing Day and ruled out for a minimum of three months.

CELTIC STATEMENT:

Celtic Football Club confirmed today that Christopher Jullien has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating at home. We wish Christopher a speedy recovery.
 
While all of the other members of the squad and backroom team have tested negative, we have been informed by the authorities that, having been deemed ‘close contacts’, Celtic manager Neil Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 first-team players will be required to self-isolate on a precautionary basis as required by the current regulations.  

The Club would like to thank the Scottish FA, JRG and the Scottish Government for their assistance in managing this case. Celtic will, of course, fulfill its fixture against Hibernian this evening.  
 
Clearly we are hugely disappointed, as we know our supporters will be. The contacts were identified during the period from Wednesday last week, primarily around flight and team coach travel, during which time Celtic applied the same rigorous protocols used for pre-season training camps, UEFA match travel and for all domestic match arrangements in Scotland.    

These protocols have served us well in the past, as the Club has not had one positive case in our own ‘bubble’ until now. As we have already stated, Celtic’s decision to travel to Dubai for a training camp was for performance reasons. Whilst we were in Dubai, the announcements made on January 4 significantly changed the COVID landscape.  

The reality is that a case could well have occurred had the team remained in Scotland, as other cases have done in Scottish football and across UK sport in the past week.
 
Celtic has done everything it can to ensure we have in place the very best procedures and protocols. From the outset of the pandemic, Celtic has worked closely with the Scottish Government and Scottish football and we will continue to do so.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Fans reacted while Celtic ultras begin their Parkhead protest as they call for ‘change’, see what was said online…

@OOCRangers1: Howlin at cunts in the green brigade sitting in their house drawing Peter Lawwell in crayon.

@JackCranmer7: Judie Dench?

@ellisrhysking: Bloody hell that club is in total meltdown. Excellent scenes.

@Gary_1872__: Mental that they won a couple of easy games and all went quiet. Lose to Rangers and fuck up in Dubai and the guns are back out. Tremedous.

@LoyIeToMyCapo: Celtic fans are having an all timer meltdown this season. It’s a shame its to the benefit of a scumbag club managed by my mortal enemy or I’d probably see the funny side.

@robbiexking: Hahahahaha fuck off man

@ottleti: And you want Dame Judi Dench as your leader?

@EmpireFF: The laughing stock of Scottish Football strike again. Is there nonsense filter fucked just now or what?

@Noah11178763: How can you see looking through those tears

@RabRangers_: Your tears are our delight

@PaulCambo72: We are laughing

@1912KAT: Canny believe he’s lost a Finger hope he recovers soon

@JRangers_: Unbelievable content for a Monday

@Woodybhoy67: Put the Green brigade in charge of the club.