Celtic: Simon Jordan explains crucial ‘caveat’ to Bhoys’ decision to allow Green Brigade return

Celtic have hit the headlines by allowing the Green Brigade to return to Celtic Park for the final weeks of their Scottish Premiership campaign.

The Bhoys have lifted the ban on the ultras group with immediate effect, meaning that they will be free to return to Celtic Park for the visit of St Mirren on Saturday.

Their return to the stadium is set to continue into the imminent league split, with the board keen to ensure unity within the club for the crucial final six games of the title race.

Celtic have four home games in their final six matches to close out the season, with a potentially decisive final day clash with Hearts announced as part of their post-split calendar.

Martin O’Neill’s side are currently three points off the top of the table, and Celtic have some crucial games ahead of them if they are to retain their league title in a last-gasp effort.

Simon Jordan feels that not much is being asked of Green Brigade

The Green Brigade have been absent from Celtic Park since the early part of November, when they were hit with an initial six-game ban for threatening behaviour during an October clash with Falkirk.

That sanction was then suspended at the start of December, but the board have now agreed for it to be lifted entirely for the remaining fixtures of the 2025-26 campaign.

However, the plan for their return to Celtic Park includes the need for a game-by-game report to the Safety Advisory Group for as long as they see fit, something which Simon Jordan feels is a vital element of the decision.

The former Crystal Palace owner was asked by Jim White what the Green Brigade have been asked to do by the club as part of their talkSPORT show on Wednesday, and he outlined that the game-by-game review has been brought about due to the fans’ actions.

“It doesn’t seem that they (Celtic) actually want them (the Green Brigade) to do very much,” Jordan said.

“Ultimately, what they’re suggesting is that they’ve got to adhere to the season ticket policies, they’ve got to accept the safety and security operations of the stadium, and they’ve got to accept game-by-game reviews. 

“The game-by-game reviews are the caveat, because they’ve brought the tension on themselves because of their behaviour. The Celtic board seem to regard them as a necessary evil to serve a greater good.”

Keith Hackett explains Celtic and Hearts final day meeting

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told Football Insider that the decision for Celtic and Hearts to meet on the final day was likely taken weeks in advance, with TV contracts and security issues a key factor.

The former chief of referees suggested that while he feels sympathy towards the Hearts fans, given that they will miss out on the chance to potentially lift the league title at Tynecastle, it is too late for anything to be changed.

Hackett outlined that the fixtures will have been pencilled in for a long while now, and added that the Scottish FA had little room to change that at such a late stage.

He was clearly of the view that while the Premiership’s announcement of the fixtures on Tuesday was news to fans around the league, they had actually been settled by the authorities long before they were officially confirmed.

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