Celtic hope to follow rugby as fans test event

The sooner we get supporters back the better, says Neil Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon. Picture: SNS

Sports fans will return to grounds in Scotland on Friday when Edinburgh face Glasgow Warriors at BT Murrayfield – and Celtic hope to have supporters in their ground when they host Motherwell two days later.

The Scottish Government has given the go ahead for a limited number of spectators to be allowed into the national rugby stadium for the inter-city match.

It will be the first professional rugby match in the UK to welcome fans since the Covid-19 lockdown in March, with between 600-700 expected to attend.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is keen that football follows suit.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scotland’s top tier grounds could be open to a restricted number of punters from 14 September but the game’s Joint Response Group has admitted that discussions are well underway for a pilot scheme that would see the league champions welcoming some of their supporters into Celtic Park as early as next Sunday, for the Premiership match against Motherwell.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell had originally pushed for an even earlier start to the phased return but suffered a knockback from the government, who have been monitoring cluster outbreaks. His case was not aided by the news that Celtic’s own Boli Bolingoli had breached strict protocols.

Lennon said: “The club is looking at hopefully testing, in collaboration with the government, at the Motherwell game next week. Hopefully getting some supporters into the stadium and then we can build on that. The sooner we can get supporters back, the better for all involved in the game.”

Dominic McKay, the SRU’s chief operating officer, said: “Scottish Rugby is delighted that a limited number of spectators will be in BT Murrayfield on Friday 28 August to watch the Guinness Pro14 match between Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors. “We are pleased our work with the Scottish government will ensure that players, support staff and fans will be covered by a comprehensive event plan for everyone’s safety including physical distancing requirements.”

Ticket information will be announced next week.

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