Celtic drawn against Linfield or SP La Fiorita (San Marino) in our first CL qualifier. First leg away from home. This isn't going to be pleasant.
There is no chance in hell that game goes ahead on the 12th, the Police won't allow it to happen. An easy warm up tie though before the hard work begins.
That'll be the correct decision. Not a chance Linfield won't win their tie, so it'll be them that we face. I imagine the home tie will be switched to being the first leg.
Worst tie we could have got. Football wise it should be fairly straightforward but having to play them at any time of year is bad enough, never mind at the dates it is.
It'd better but still not ideal in Glasgow on that date. There'd be plenty of away fans for it, and elements of the Rangers support turning up. If they have to play a game on the 12th, perhaps it's best to do it in Glasgow behind closed doors. If that can be avoided, then it needs to be, but I'd imagine Linfield would appeal to anything that completely prevents them from getting the financial benefits of a home sell out.
Rumours the game will be played on the 11th with an early kick off (5pm). Tensions in Belfast will be high that week and even higher with the Celts in town to rain on their parade. I think it'll be 50/50 if we take an away allocation. I'm in Dublin till the Sunday night for the Shamrock Rovers friendly. Will be looking at staying another 2 nights in Ireland if we take tickets. Edit. . The PSNI apparently want the home and away ties switched. Linfield want them kept so they dont lose cash from the home crowd if they are out the tie after Celtic Park.
Doubt it'll be behind closed doors. Both clubs would miss out on too much money. They'll just spend more on policing and security.
Linfield will have a few thousand here. One or two (thousand) from Belfast and the rest from the other side of Glasgow desperate to feel relevant at a Champions league tie.
Rumours that we won't take our away ticket allocation. I'd be happy with that as long as they don't get any for our stadium too.
Having to turn down tickets because of threats of violence, bigotry, & anti-Irish racism. Imagine it was because Celtic fans were Jewish or Black!
Am split on the decision, I think it's a sad state of affairs that it has to be done and not fair to the fans who want to go and support the side and every effort should an made to make sure they can do so. On the other hand there is serious safety issues and I dont see the game passing without incident, it is also a logistical nightmare with different groups travelling to and from Belfast and it woudnt surprise me if the Police and travel companies had a strong say in this.
Are the PSNI going to guarantee the safety of the Celtic players both in the stadium and in Belfast as a whole?
We will know in the coming month I am sure and if they can't Linfield should be kicked out the competition.
