The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[tonto1888]

Not sure I am being that dramatic at all Ned. Northern Ireland is on the brink of collapse. We constantly live life on a political knife edge and right now with the extremer parties gaining all the power, a huge sectarian event is the last thing we need. You don't live here do you? Have you ever lived in northern Ireland?

I'm originally from the north, moved away 20 years ago. Coincidentally just as the troubles were coming to an 'end'. Oops, should have moved sooner. I'm not that far out of the loop but not living there doesn't give me first hand knowledge of the situation. However, a football match is unlikely to have a bearing on future political ramifications.

http://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/09/28/zvonimir-boban-and-the-kick-that-started-a-war/

[Main Street]

A possible event I'd have some concern about is that some Celtic fans from the north or Celtic fans for the day,would become embroiled in some shemozzle which would have consequences for the club
Most likely that Linfield will beat this San Marino team.

[ned]

Not sure I am being that dramatic at all Ned. Northern Ireland is on the brink of collapse. We constantly live life on a political knife edge and right now with the extremer parties gaining all the power, a huge sectarian event is the last thing we need. You don't live here do you? Have you ever lived in northern Ireland?

I'm originally from the north, moved away 20 years ago. Coincidentally just as the troubles were coming to an 'end'. Oops, should have moved sooner. I'm not that far out of the loop but not living there doesn't give me first hand knowledge of the situation. However, a football match is unlikely to have a bearing on future political ramifications.

http://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/09/28/zvonimir-boban-and-the-kick-that-started-a-war/

Very good. Slightly different scenario! I wasn't talking about any football match, it is this specific potential match I was referring to.

[illdecide]

This is a football match, it's sport FFS. If Linfield enter the competition then they should honour the dates and times set by UEFA. They obviously are that sectarian they cannot guarantee the safety of patrons entering their ground, UEFA rules state that the game must be played on either a Tue or Wed of that week they are drawn out to play. It's not Celtic's fault that Linfield cannot stage this game and provide a safe environment for the fans of Celtic FC.
The way things are going Celtic FC do not want to take up their ticket allocation for this game for safety reasons, maybe Celtic fans should stay away and not give the Catholic hating club their hard earned money...UEFA should also reduce their capacity due to high risk security, again bigotry will probably win over sport. I know for a fact that Celtic work closely with Strathclyde Police and provide them with everything and anything needed to provide a safe environment for all spectators in Celtic Park, it's obvious Linfield and the PSNI cannot do the same.

[Applesisapples]

This is a game of soccer. Whilst I do not like the politics of the largely loyalist following that Linfield have, it does not mean that they are anymore inclined to violence than Celtic fans. Indeed there is nothing wrong with orange and green banter if it is given and taken in the right spirit. The problem is that there will be elements who do not normally support either club who will banwaggon jump for more sinister purposes.

[tonto1888]

Not sure I am being that dramatic at all Ned. Northern Ireland is on the brink of collapse. We constantly live life on a political knife edge and right now with the extremer parties gaining all the power, a huge sectarian event is the last thing we need. You don't live here do you? Have you ever lived in northern Ireland?

I'm originally from the north, moved away 20 years ago. Coincidentally just as the troubles were coming to an 'end'. Oops, should have moved sooner. I'm not that far out of the loop but not living there doesn't give me first hand knowledge of the situation. However, a football match is unlikely to have a bearing on future political ramifications.

http://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/09/28/zvonimir-boban-and-the-kick-that-started-a-war/

Very good. Slightly different scenario! I wasn't talking about any football match, it is this specific potential match I was referring to.

fair enough. I doubt this match, if it happens, would have any ramifications on the political landscape of the north either

[red hander]

UEFA will make the call. Good chance if it is to go ahead on their halloween that Celtic will not take up ticket allocation. Sevco sites already planning pitched battles. The hangers on will be the biggest problem.

I've a feeling Uefa will order this to be played behind close doors at Windsor Park because of safety concerns, consequently Linfield will miss out on a fortune, which is absolutely fine by me

[amanda]

This is a football match, it's sport FFS. If Linfield enter the competition then they should honour the dates and times set by UEFA. They obviously are that sectarian they cannot guarantee the safety of patrons entering their ground,

How can Linfield or any team guarantee people's safety?
Not their job, up to the Police i would think.
I imagine that the Security Services will have the final say.

[stew]

UEFA will make the call. Good chance if it is to go ahead on their halloween that Celtic will not take up ticket allocation. Sevco sites already planning pitched battles. The hangers on will be the biggest problem.

I've a feeling Uefa will order this to be played behind close doors at Windsor Park because of safety concerns, consequently Linfield will miss out on a fortune, which is absolutely fine by me

Best case scenario for this guy )

[Aaron Boone]

La Florita would love to have Celtic play at the Stadio Igor Cresentini.

[stew]

Why dont they rent ibrox?

Win win for huns squared.

[Main Street]

When Shelbourne were drawn against Glasgow Rangers years ago (when a young lad Hoolahan played for them), Uefa moved Shels' home leg to Tranmere's ground because the Gardai could not guarantee safety in the environs of Tolka Pk.
Ironic that Uefa were under the impression that there was a safer place from Rangers fans in Tranmere.





   

[BennyCake]

Why dont they rent ibrox?

Win win for huns squared.

Yeah, and play it on 11th night and lock them in the stadium for the night.

[Hectic]

Make them play it at midday on 11th - might impact their potential tv deal but fffff that safety is more important than money.

[illdecide]

It is the Event Controller & Safety Officer's role of the club to guarantee the safety of all patrons within the ground and around it, they take everything into account and if they feel they need police or extra police then that's their role to liaise with Emergency Services. That's why they have meetings (SAG meeting) prior to the event to discuss all these matters and arrange the number of extra security, Steward's and Police.

The 'dilemma' of Celtic travelling to Belfast on the 11th or 12th of July to play in the first leg second qualifying round of this years UEFA Champions League, really shouldn't be an issue at all. As it's a UEFA tournament, what the governing body say invariably goes. Ultimately, if a team cannot guarantee the safety of their opponents and their supporters, in this case Linfield, the question has to be asked if they should be allowed to participate in the tournament at all?

And while we're on the subject, the fact the game has to be moved should force UEFA to look further into the reasons why.
Sectarian and racist parades in Belfast are being given priority over the game itself. For an organisation that, when it suits, prides itself in it's 'No to Racism' campaigns, year in year out, they are being dictated to by a club that would rather put it's bigoted ways first.
Should a club with such values be allowed to play in ANY UEFA tournament?
It's up to UEFA to do the right thing, having said that, at Celtic, we've already had experience of trusting the governing body before only to be 'disappointed', namely in 1974 and 1984.
Common sense doesn't always prevail....