Alan Brazil left disappointed as Celtic lift five-month ban on controversial group

Celtic have confirmed that fan group, the Green Brigade, have had their suspensions lifted with immediate effect.

The group, who were initially banned by the club due to ‘violent and threatening behaviour’ last year, can now return this Saturday.

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They have been prohibited from attending home games since November, while an extended ban was later added.

However, after talks between the two parties over the last few months, a solution has been reached and they can now attend.

But that’s something that Celtic fan and former Scotland international Alan Brazil isn’t very happy about.

Brazil said on talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday morning: “This is something I don’t like getting involved with.

“I know all about it, the songs…the Old Firm game really, I didn’t like what happened there, smashing up the seats and urinals.

“That’s not Celtic supporters, that stunned me.

“On the pitch, I can understand that’s not right, but in the stands, I can understand the joy and elation as Celtic won the tie.

“But to do that, it’s not good and you hear Rangers‘ side of it, which sometimes isn’t in the media, it’s not good for football.

“As a kid, you get carried away watching, going away on a bus, you’re excited and sing your songs, but not nowadays.”

He added: “It’s a problem for Celtic as there are more than 200 members, they go home and away.

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“They need that support, but is it the right type of support, I don’t know… there’s a lot of Celtic fans that won’t like it, but at the end of the day, it’s a horrible part of football now that you don’t have to put up with but it’s there and Celtic have tried to deal with it.

“But at the same time, they’re the ones who were remonstrating with the board, saying: ‘Come on, you’re letting us down, we go everywhere, you’re going to put prices up again, you’re not spending the money, we should be winning this’.

“It’s a catch-22, but I’m not happy, no.”

Celtic statement

The Green Brigade will be able to attend the match at Celtic Park against St. Mirren this weekend, with Celtic revealing the news.

They wrote: “The Club is pleased to confirm that a route has been found to lift the suspension of the Green Brigade with effect from Saturday’s game against St Mirren.

“On March 27th, at a meeting of Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group, the Club again addressed the suspension on the Green Brigade. The SAG confirmed that it did not object to the suspension being lifted, subject to three conditions being satisfied.

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“These were that all applicable policies will be adhered to, including season ticket terms and conditions; agreement that members will comply with the safety and security operations; recognition that a match-by-match report will be submitted to the Safety Advisory Group, for as long as they deem it necessary.

“We communicated this to the Green Brigade and asked for their unconditional acceptance. They have today responded positively by accepting these conditions, as outlined.”

The club’s interim chairman, Brian Wilson, said in the announcement: “I am pleased we have reached this point where suspensions can be lifted with the agreement of Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group on terms which apply to supporters throughout the stadium.

“On that basis, a full and united Celtic Park can get behind the team at this crucial point in the season.”

Celtic have four more home games to come against St. Mirren, Falkirk, Rangers and Hearts this season.

Martin O’Neill‘s side currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership, three points behind Rangers and two points behind Hearts in what is a very tight title race heading into the final stages.