Scott Bain explains what impact Celtic fan criticism is having on players

Celtic keeper Scott Bain has admitted that finding themselves on the wrong side of the club’s support for the first time hasn’t been easy for a number of personnel at the club.

Scott Bain suggests "negative messages" received from their own fans during difficult season has been a head-wrecker for some in the Celtic squad. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

All but a few among the club’s playing staff and management have only known title success and consistent silverware-annexing - and the easy praise from fans that comes with such achievements.

However, as Neil Lennon’s side have failed to mount a challenge for a record 10th championship, adulation has been replaced by abuse. Sections of the Celtic support, and especially an increasingly toxic on-line community, have laid waste to the management and squad in the most vicious and hateful fashion. The keeper hints at sadness at the level of opprobrium from a support that have always played up their fidelity to their football team.

“I think it’s difficult for the players and the staff. Previously, there have been nothing but good times, for a long time,” he said. “When things aren’t going your way that’s when you really need the fans to stick you, back you up and help you get out of those bad patches. It’s been difficult for some players in terms of how much criticism and negative messages they’ve got through this hard spell. It’s part and parcel and comes with the territory of playing for Celtic, I guess.”

Bain has had his fair share of the brickbats as Lennon has endured keeper issues before returning to the Scotland international for the recent five-game winning run. The 29-year-old isn’t upset about the current squad failing to have ‘credit in the bank’ with the fans following nine-in-a-row and four straight trebles.

“We all know football moves fast,” he said. “If you’re not moving forwards the past gets forgotten really quickly and it’s all about the next game. The games come so fast one good result can be gone in a week. We want to do the best we can for the club and although we’re not where we want to be we need to keep showing there’s fight in us till the very end and it’s mathematically not possible. The drive has never been in question, the results haven’t been great at times this season but we’ve always tried our best for the club.”

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