May 18, 2025, Posted by: Ra'eesa Moosa
Celtic's Appeal: Keep the Celebrations Safe
Celtic Football Club isn’t taking any chances this year. With the buzz already building for their Scottish Premiership match against St. Mirren on May 17, 2025, they’ve taken a bold step and warned fans to celebrate with caution—and, importantly, to avoid forming big crowds in public spaces.
The message comes after last May’s chaos, when jubilant crowds poured into Glasgow Cross. The scenes were anything but the happy celebration the club would have wanted. Nineteen arrests. Four police officers injured. Busy streets blocked. Businesses forced to close early. Even ambulances had to fight through the crowds to attend emergencies. Those memories are fresh for both Celtic and law enforcement.
Police and Club Coordination: Avoid the Hotspots
Police Scotland is gearing up for this Friday with what they call a "coordinated policing plan". Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said the aim is pretty clear—keep people safe and prevent a rerun of last year’s mess. Officers have been working behind the scenes, talking to city officials, transport services, and local business owners to make sure everyone knows what’s coming. If crowds ignore the warnings and gather anyway, police plan to step in quickly, focusing on safety over spectacle.
The club went a step further by explaining why these unlicensed celebrations pose real risks. If there’s no event permit, there’s no built-in safety infrastructure: no fenced-off areas, toilets, or first-aid staff. That puts pressure on the emergency services, who end up stretched thin. A crowded main street—even one packed with happy supporters—makes it tougher for medics to get to someone in distress or for officers to control a situation if it sours.
Celtic’s statement didn’t hold back on the potential downsides. They pointed out how unofficial celebrations have a habit of spiraling into disruption—not just for fans, but for the entire local community. It’s not hard to imagine the knock-on effects: local shops and cafes shutting early, parents worried about their kids in the crowds, and essential vehicles unable to get through the city center.
This year, the club is working with all sorts of community stakeholders—residents’ groups, retailers, local politicians—to reinforce their message. They’ve made it clear: celebrate, but do it safely. Stay away from informal street gatherings and stick to safer, organized events or private spaces with friends and family. Fans have been urged to think about the wider ramifications, not just the excitement in the moment.
Celtic, as one of Scotland’s top football clubs, wants its legacy tied to joy and unity, not incidents that threaten public safety or damage the city’s reputation. The hope is that clear communication and a united front with police and local leaders will bring about a better, safer atmosphere for everyone involved when the match day arrives.
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Comments
One Love
YESSS let’s keep it safe and joyful 🙌 no need for chaos when we’ve got good vibes and good football!
May 19, 2025 AT 15:28
arti patel
I appreciate the club taking this seriously. Last year was terrifying for everyone who just wanted to enjoy the game without worrying about getting crushed or blocked from getting home.
May 19, 2025 AT 20:51
Nikhil Kumar
This is how you lead. Not with threats, but with clear care. The fact they’re working with locals and businesses shows real responsibility. More clubs should follow this model.
May 20, 2025 AT 09:05
Abhimanyu Prabhavalkar
So now we’re treating football fans like toddlers who can’t handle a street party? Interesting approach.
May 20, 2025 AT 11:37
Disha Gulati
this is all a cover up honestly the government just wants to control us and stop us from being free people why else would they scare us with 'emergencies' and 'crowd control' they dont care about safety they care about power and i saw the cameras everywhere last year they were watching us always watching
May 21, 2025 AT 09:54
Priya Classy
I still remember the sound of sirens cutting through the noise. It wasn’t excitement-it was panic. I don’t need to celebrate in a street full of strangers. My living room with my cousins and a TV is more than enough.
May 21, 2025 AT 15:01
Mansi Mehta
Funny how they call it 'celebration' when it’s basically a public nuisance. But sure, let’s pretend it’s about safety and not about controlling how people express joy.
May 21, 2025 AT 21:40
RANJEET KUMAR
Celtic fans are the heart of Glasgow. Let’s celebrate like humans, not like robots in a corporate safety drill. But yeah, no blocking ambulances. That’s just common sense.
May 22, 2025 AT 02:43
Dipen Patel
Love this message. Safe fans = happy fans. I’ll be at the pub with my mates, loud as hell, but not in the middle of a street. 🍻
May 22, 2025 AT 04:57
Sathish Kumar
People get too excited. It’s not the game. It’s the feeling. But feeling can turn to chaos if no one thinks. Simple as that.
May 22, 2025 AT 15:28
Bharat Singh
Let’s keep the streets clear for the real heroes 🚑❤️
May 23, 2025 AT 02:14
Vaishali Bhatnagar
i just want to watch the game with my family without hearing sirens or seeing broken glass why is that too much to ask
May 23, 2025 AT 08:00
Amit Varshney
The Celtic Football Club has demonstrated exemplary civic responsibility by proactively collaborating with public safety authorities and community stakeholders. This initiative reflects a mature, forward-thinking approach to fan engagement that prioritizes collective well-being over transient exuberance. Such conduct sets a benchmark for institutional leadership within the sporting domain.
Author
Ra'eesa Moosa
I am a journalist with a keen interest in covering the intricate details of daily events across Africa. My work focuses on delivering accurate and insightful news reports. Each day, I strive to bring light to the stories that shape our continent's narrative. My passion for digging deeper into issues helps in crafting stories that not only inform but also provoke thought.