Celtic home from home a boost for Ireland

Despite complaints about the shortage of tickets for Ireland supporters and criticism of the FAI for the way they have handled their official allocation, Packie Bonner expects the travelling Green Army to be bolstered by ‘fifth columnists’ in Celtic Park tomorrow night.

That was certainly his experience in 1987 when Scotland hosted Ireland at Hampden Park in a European Championship qualifier — which Jack Charlton’s team won 1-0 — and he suggests it could be more of the same this time around at the home of his beloved Celtic.

“I’m surprised that Scotland have organised it in this way — to bring an Irish team to Glasgow and put them up in Celtic Park,” says the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper.