Celtic have released a fresh update tonight about safety measures at Celtic Park, after many supporters criticised the way last Friday’s game against Falkirk was handled.
The club confirmed that tighter rules around movement and access to the rail seating area will stay in place for now, but changes will be made based on fan feedback.
“We are aware of certain issues raised in relation to these additional measures and would like to take this opportunity to thank a number of fans for making us aware of the specific nature of the challenges which were encountered,” the statement read. “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will ensure that the feedback received is factored into our modified plan moving forward.”
The clampdown was meant to stop fans without tickets moving into the safe standing section. But last week’s matchday experience left many regular supporters frustrated, with several describing the new checks as over the top and badly managed.
As reported by CeltsAreHere, fans were met by layers of stewards and extra barriers. One area even had a metal fence cutting off parts of the concourse. Some fans were stopped from re-entering their section after going to the toilet or kiosk, with confusion over tickets and entry points.
In response, Celtic say they’ve improved queue systems, especially for fans entering the North Stand via Janefield Street. Turnstiles 6–13 and 32–39 will have managed queues, which the club says worked well in the past.
Celtic say they want to keep fans safe but admit they need a better balance between security and matchday experience. With a packed house expected against Kairat Almaty, all eyes will be on how well these new plans work.
