SNS GroupThousands of Celtic fans are expected to descend on Glasgow city centre if the team win the Premiership title on Saturday after plans for an organised event failed to materialise.
Celtic has urged fans not to attend gatherings in the city centre, as has been the case in previous years, due to the “immense” pressure placed on services and the lack of safety management.
Should the Glasgow side win over Hearts, who currently have a one-point advantage, supporters are expected to take to the Trongate area for an unofficial title party.
This comes despite ongoing conversations between Celtic and Glasgow City Council over the potential for an organised event or fanzone.
Police Scotland has accused the football club of failing to bring forward a plan or “take any responsibility for the wider conduct and safety of supporters outwith the stadium”.
The force says that the policing plan needed if the team wins will impact on officer well-being and lead to the “unnecessary cancellation of rest days”.
Concerns have also been raised surrounding the clear-up operation needed ahead of Cancer Research’s 10k Race for Life, which is due to take place in the city centre on Sunday.
Should Hearts secure their historic win, Edinburgh City Council and the club have planned for fans to celebrate on Sunday with an open-top bus parade.
Assistant chief constable Alan Waddell said: “We have a comprehensive plan in place to support the weekend football fixtures and our policing operation will focus on ensuring public safety and minimising disruption to local communities.
“We have supported Glasgow City Council in discussions with both Celtic and Rangers over many months to explore options and encourage the clubs to establish an organised event or fanzone which would allow their supporters to celebrate safely and reduce the impact on the local community should they win the title.
“These talks were held following the widespread disorder within Glasgow city centre following recent league successes.
“Despite these welcome efforts, Celtic Football Club has again failed to bring forward any plan or take any responsibility for the wider conduct and safety of supporters outwith the stadium.
“Should Celtic win the title on Saturday, we have again had to plan for thousands of supporters gathering in the Trongate area of the city as in previous years. A dedicated policing plan is in place should this occur, which has impacted the well-being of our officers and staff and led to the unnecessary cancellation of rest days.
“Anyone intent on breaking the law and engaging in anti-social behaviour should be in no doubt that we will enforce the law to maintain public safety.”
As well as pleading with fans not to gather in the city centre, Celtic are asking only supporters with a valid season or match ticket to travel to the stadium.
A club spokesperson said: “Glasgow City Council has committed to working together with football clubs on facilitating potential celebrations which would be meaningful to fans and less impactful on communities.
“Until these options can be delivered, we need to play our role in trying to relieve some of the pressures.
“We are aware of some of the issues which have arisen, many of which have led to serious safety concerns.
“If successful on Saturday, we would absolutely want our fans to enjoy their own celebrations, but given these events and the wider logistics, we would therefore discourage supporters from attending gatherings in the city centre this weekend, where there is no safety management in place and which have such a high impact on city.
“The pressure which is placed on the city and its services clearly will be enormous and we want to do all we can to support the city.”
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill added: “It goes without saying that, if we are successful, we will all looking forward to enjoying it but it’s also important that we do so safely and responsibly. We want all our fans to be safe and ensure that we are mindful of others and our wider community.
“Our fans have such a great reputation for positively supporting the team and if we do achieve what we want at the weekend, we want that positive support to shine through again.
“Whatever the outcome on Saturday, everyone at the club thanks our fans for their wonderful continuing support.”
Police Scotland has advised anyone planning to travel into Glasgow or Edinburgh city centre over the weekend that areas are likely to be much busier than normal and to plan their travel in advance.
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