Kenny Shiels glad decision on Celtic fans isn’t his call

Celtic could be crowned SPL champions on Sunday against St Johnstone at Celtic Park if Rangers fail to take three points against Motherwell at Fir Park 24 hours earlier.

In the event of a Rangers win, Celtic would have to wait for their trip to Ayrshire next week for their next chance to wrap up the championship and Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston admits he would look to cash in on the travelling fans who would invade the town.

Kilmarnock supporters have previously been upset at being surrounded by Old Firm fans who have bought seats for the home sections of the ground.

With that in mind, Johnston has written to season ticket holders in the East Stand asking if they would be in favour of decanting to the Main Stand for the day. That would give Celtic fans three stands in the 18,000-plus capacity stadium and also raise much-needed funds for ground improvements which would, in turn, prevent breaking into next season’s player budget.

Shiels, who is focusing first on tomorrow’s SPL clash with St Mirren in Paisley, said: “I can see it from both sides but our priority is to get as much money in as we can to strengthen. But I am glad I don’t have to make the decision because no matter what decision the chairman makes, it will not please everyone.

“He is in a no-win situation but it might not come to that.”

Kilmarnock fans were outnumbered by Rangers supporters on the final day of last season when the Ibrox side retained their SPL title with a convincing 5-1 win. However, Shiels was reluctant to discuss the possibility of a similar scenario for his team next week.

“It just makes it a difficult game for the players because someone else is winning a trophy on your ground,” he said.

“But I don’t think it is an issue for me, I am not thinking about that. I am thinking totally on St Mirren at the moment. The Celtic game is something that is down the road.”

The Scottish Communities League Cup winners travel to Paisley on the back of a fine 2-0 home win over Motherwell last week, a victory cherished all the more by Shiels as it was achieved with seven players missing.

The Northern Irishman said: “The effort and commitment put in under the circumstances made it an an amazing achievement.

“Not only did we have seven out, goalkeeper Cammy Bell had to go off [injured] at half-time which made it eight, although he is back for this week. But everyone did well.”