Martin O’Neill bemoans ‘sad situation’ as Green Brigade boycotts Celtic matches

O’Neill lamented the renewed unrest in the wake of the club’s latest Champions League play-off exit and three consecutive defeats prior to the international break

Martin O’Neill expressed sadness over the widening rift between Celtic supporters and club after the Green Brigade announced a boycott of upcoming Scottish Cup and Europa League matches. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Martin O’Neill expressed sadness over the widening rift between Celtic supporters and club after the Green Brigade announced a boycott of upcoming Scottish Cup and Europa League matches.

The ultras group released a statement on Friday hitting out at the “naked contempt” they feel the board have for them after being irked that “the conduct of the Green Brigade” was alluded to in a club statement condemning the tennis-ball protest against major shareholder Dermot Desmond at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews last weekend.

“Under the influence of Dermot Desmond, a dark cloud lingers over our club creating an increasingly unsustainable environment,” read a lengthy post from the Green Brigade.

“The board’s latest irrational statement at the behest of Desmond represents another attack on supporters.

“It explicitly attaches our group to an action which we are not responsible for, although we commend those who are. It is further demonstration, if needed, of the utter disdain they have for our group. It is clear notice of another ban, be that imminently or for another manufactured incident like times before.”

Outlining their intention to stay away from certain matches, the statement continued: “Achieving meaningful change requires some level of sacrifice.

“We will not attend the remaining Europa League home ties nor any Scottish Cup tie at home, away or at Hampden. We will review this position at the end of the season or earlier should adequate progress be made.” Former striker Chris Sutton said earlier this week that “Celtic at this moment in time is a bit of a cesspit”.

Manager O’Neill, who helped the Hoops navigate a turbulent season to win the double last season, lamented the renewed unrest in the wake of the club’s latest Champions League play-off exit and three consecutive defeats prior to the international break.

“I came into the situation this time last year and it seems to be going back to that again,” he said. “I don’t agree at all with what happened up at St Andrews.

“That is not Celtic. We derided Rangers (supporters) for wearing balaclavas (amid trouble after last season’s Scottish Cup match at Ibrox) and then suddenly we’re doing it ourselves. This is not Celtic at all.” Reacting to the Green Brigade’s boycott, O’Neill said: “I think it’s a really sad situation if that’s the case. It is sad but we went through it last season.

“And what I will say is that when the club came together, and it was really big, and I can remember the days of having 80,000 people in Seville without an arrest. That’s Celtic to me.

“Or that final whistle going in the last match of last season where the crowd came onto the pitch in a euphoric state. Those are phenomenal memories which I’ll never forget.

“But at the end of it all, it is a sad situation. All I do know is that when the club were together towards the end of the season, I genuinely felt we were unbeatable.

“We have to try and win some football matches maybe to get some togetherness here.”