Fans in the North of Ireland are likely unhappy at today’s confirmed news that Celtic won’t take its away ticket allotment for a potential second round tie with Linfield. Who can blame them really?
Not having to traverse the Irish sea and make a long bus journey to Glasgow would’ve been really nice for them. However, in declining the option, Celtic did the right thing for its fans and for the club on the European stage.
I know, getting to vocally support the Bhoys in the first competition of the 2017-18 campaign is always ideal. But, so is being able to have fans travel to subsequent away legs and throughout European competition in the future.
Let’s not forget that Celtic are skating on thin ice thanks to flare-ups in the past. You know, like flying the Palestinian flag in defiance of UEFA and the like. Bad press and dust-ups at this match from those with tickets in the Celtic end? Not exactly a recipe for future travel plans for supporters.
Fair or not to the supporters who were looking forward to the match, there are forces that almost guarantee this wasn’t going to end well should Celtic take their away ticket allotment.
For one, Linfield and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) couldn’t really come up with a good plan for supporter and player safety. This despite the move of the match away from the flash-point that is the Orange Order marches on July 12.
Celtic put out a statement regarding the security concerns, even with the change in dates and time for the away leg:
“No tickets will be available for Celtic supporters for the match.” said the statement from the club.
“The safety and security of all Celtic supporters traveling and attending matches is of paramount importance to the Club.”
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Additionally, let’s not forget that Celtic have plans to be in this competition far beyond one second round qualifying tie. Jeopardizing that for what is sure to be powder keg of a match isn’t smart.
What exactly was to be gained by the club if they accepted the ticket allotment? The potential for fans to get attacked or attack in the wake of the Orange Order marches? How would that be a smart thing to do for the club?
Banning orders, legal issues and UEFA’s long arm of the law would have all come down on Celtic hard. Linfield…well, a ban for an away match that likely would mean nothing for them in the first place?
You see, Celtic have everything to lose and nothing to gain by not having official tickets to this match. It avoids any issues UEFA might have and it also protects fans that would otherwise likely have issues arise in such a tie.
Sure, you could argue that this is reactionary to something we don’t know will actually happen. But, let’s also be real here. You don’t think anything would kick off the moment we start beating Linfield by a few or more goals? You don’t think Linfield supporters would try and goad Celtic supporters in to starting something on the way to the match?
You may be bummed not to get to see Celtic in person in the North of Ireland, but the reality is the club has way more to lose than to gain by putting itself in.
Then again, this could all be a lot of hot air over something that won’t even occur. Sure, La Fiorita may be a really small club from a really small nation…but we’ve seen crazy things happen in European competition before.
If La Fiorita are the side that wins out, Celtic will play the away leg at the club on either July 11 or 12.
The club also noted that no matter what happens with the first game of the Champions League qualifier, they will play the friendly with Lyon on July 15 at Celtic Park. So, perhaps it best for the sake of the fixtures and ease of moving on to root for La Fiorita.
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Oh and not to mention Linfield have a “brotherly” relationship with Sevco and all.