SNS GroupCeltic captain Callum McGregor says the team will be aiming to get the fans back onside and make them “proud” of the club again amid levels of discontent that is “unprecedented in recent times”.
The Hoops return to league action against Kilmarnock on Sunday, with several fan groups set to protest against the board by not entering the stadium until the 12th minute.
And while McGregor admits he understands the frustrations, he insists they can help bring a feel-good factor back by performing well and winning games.
When asked about the planned protests, he said: “We haven’t really spoken about it as a group. Obviously, some of the boys will be aware of it, maybe some of the foreign lads not so much.
“The only thing we can control is that when we go onto the pitch, then it’s our intensity and our tempo that will impact the game.
“Obviously we would love the supporters to be in from the beginning, I understand the frustrations, which is fine because everyone has their opinion and has their own voice, the only thing we can control is the players on the pitch and hopefully we arrive into that game in the best way possible.
“We can also try to give the supporters some energy by our performances, by starting well, and then hopefully everything will start to pick up and come to life a little bit.
“We can’t be affected by what’s happening off the pitch and let it affect our performance, because then it starts to snowball. We have to draw a line under it and get back to functioning and attacking in the way we want to.
“It’s the supporters that make the club what it is, they are putting their hard-earned money into the club, so of course I understand that they want to see the best possible team on the park.
“We all want to be at the highest level possible every year.
“It’s unprecedented in recent times, the level of noise and discontent amongst the supporters, all we can do is try to give them a team that they can be proud of and back on the pitch.”
A large part of the fans’ anger stems from what was seen as a disappointing end to the transfer window, which saw players leave without being adequately replaced.
But McGregor has been impressed by the new recruits and is confident that they can hit the ground running.
Speaking to the media on Friday, he said: “I think the squad is strong enough, having seen what I’ve seen this week in training, there is a real hunger and real desire from the guys that have come in.
“And they are actually at a good level as well. We have added some real pace and penetration at the top end, we’ve added a top striker, albeit he’s not played so much recently, but the early signs are good, he looks good, he looks hungry to be part of what we are doing here.
“So, I’ve been really encouraged by what I’ve seen in the last seven or eight training sessions over the break.
“Starting on Sunday, if we play well and start to gather some momentum then I think this team will really start to come together.”
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