Martin O’Neill managed to drag Celtic into the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday. At noon on Friday Mark Hargreaves represented the club at the draw for the Round of 16 Play Off.
And he did so to the backdrop of the worst atmosphere many fans have ever experienced under the lights at Celtic Park.
The Green Brigade remain banned and in the opposite corner the Bhoys demonstrated their continued support for their fellow ultras by remaining silent.
Elsewhere in the stadium there was an overwhelming feeling of apathy amongst fans. A support that has been battered and bruised by the club in the past year. One year ago Kyogo Furuhashi was leading Celtic into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
From 21st place in the Champions League to 21stin the Europa League. World Class anyone?
The rapid decline on the park has been well documented. There are still no signs that this transfer window will reverse any of that damage. Or even being treated seriously.
Hardly a surprise then that a demoralised support couldn’t find it within themselves to create any sort of atmosphere. The attacks on fans from the Celtic board have been relentless this season.
HARGREAVES KILLS THE ATMOSPHERE
Since his appointment in the summer, new security chief Mark Hargreaves has gone above and beyond to make ordinary fans feel unwelcome at Celtic Park.
Hargreaves has imported all of Police Scotland’s hostility towards Celtic fans into Paradise.
The toxic relationship between Celtic fans and Police Scotland has been extended to include the stewards Hargreaves preps for all home games.
Ticket checks to use toilets. Metal barriers on the concourse. Human barriers around the north curve. Young supporters being swung by the neck. Hargreaves has introduced a truly nasty atmosphere in the stands.
The calls for the board to back off from these attacks on supporters have grown week on week.
Green Brigade update to supporters:
– banned since 7/11/2025 (19 matches)
– internal attempts to resolve thwarted
– Nicholson & Hargreaves relationship
– Hargreaves’ ultimatum pic.twitter.com/dsSVLjVSYH— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) January 30, 2026
The need for a vocal, motivated support has never been greater as Martin O’Neill attempts to rescue the board from the disastrous season they have served up.
But it appears that Hargreaves vendetta against the Celtic support. And the Green Brigade in particular, trumps any and all other consideration in the boardroom.
MEDIATOR O’NEILL IS IGNORED
O’Neill will have to achieve a miracle title charge whilst being hampered by the quiet and apathetic Celtic Park demanded by Hargreaves.
All attempts to persuade the board to break the habit of a lifetime and speak with supporters to find a way forward have been thwarted by Hargreaves. Backed by his chum Michael Nicholson.
Punishing the Green Brigade and turning a visit to Celtic Park into an arduous experience remain the top priorities in the Celtic boardroom.
Indeed Hargreaves was sent to represent the club at the Europa League draw on Friday.
It would be difficult to pick a more inappropriate representative of the club to attend that event given Hargreaves background working for the institutionally racist Police Scotland, the national disgrace.
Given that there was no announcement of Hargreaves appointment at the club it is strange that he has been given such a high profile gig.
And that he has been allowed to dictate to board members how Celtic fans are to be treated and who is allowed to use their season tickets.
The Green Brigade revealed this week that 245 supporters remain banned from the stadium despite having no involvement in the farcical “incident” against Falkirk at home. Overall it is19 games and counting.
HARGREAVES AND NICHOLSON V THE REST
A total of 245 fanatical Celtic Season Tickets holders banned from the stadium on the whim of Mark Hargreaves. Backed up by the completely discredited CEO Michael Nicholson.
We thought we had seen it all from this Celtic board this season, but apparently not.
Now they are being prevented from reaching out to the clubs fans by the Head of Security who was only recruited six months ago and has yet to utter one word to the supporters he was hired to safeguard.
The interim chairman made a call for unity, O’Neill made an offer to mediate. Both of them undermined and trashed on the word of one retired cop.
First Paul Tisdale was given complete control of all football matters. Now Mark Hargreaves has been put in charge of all dealings with supporters. Both appointed on Nicholson’s watch, just like Mark Lawwell.
Tisdale was eventually found out, how long till someone opens their eyes to the massive damage Hargreaves is doing?
The Celtic board are finding new ways to disgrace themselves this season.
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4 Comments
by MartinKennea
What a state we are in .
. desmond , sell up and go .
by Bhoy4life
If this guy was hired to safeguard supporters, if that is his primary role, and he considers the GB to be a threat or an embarrassment to the club and other fans, and I am no GB cheerleader btw, then why hasn’t he acted to safeguard our support, inside our stadium, which includes young children, from the vile racist, bigoted hatefilled singing that was clearly heard by everyone and anyone who tuned in to the last Glasgow Derby?
Is he of the opinion that our own supporters voiced concerns are beyond the pale, yet visiting support can express themselves in any way they see fit, even when it involves singing legally banned songs?
What is he getting paid for if he doesn’t see that as a safeguarding issue?
Or is he there to safeguard the suits?
by Bryan Coyle
If Hargreaves is an ex-cop that means he is a hun so why the f**k is that prick Nicholson employing him?Would Sevco employ a Celtic supporter?No fuckin chance too many enemies within our boardroom. Get them all tae f**k.
by Martin McBride
We need to get the facts right, Hargreaves is not a hun , he went to school in Easterhouse and certainly not with Nicholson, in fact I used to take him to the games at Parkhead , why do the GB o go direct to Brian Wilson and MON or has this already been tried