Hibs’ Embarrassing Celtic Decision Plays Out Live on Sky Sports

Celtic’s trip to Easter Road for their second SPFL Game of the season wasn’t just about Football—it also highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding away fan allocations.

The issue came into sharp focus as the reduced number of Celtic supporters in the stadium stood out, with large swathes of the ground left empty. Hibs had cut down the ticket allocation for away fans, citing concerns over the behaviour of Celtic supporters. However, this decision has raised eyebrows, especially given the irony of Hibs’ own fans’ actions in recent times.

The decision to tarp off sections of the stadium instead of allowing more away fans in is baffling. Many fans and pundits see it as a missed opportunity to generate revenue and enhance the atmosphere, particularly when Celtic’s away support is consistently one of the largest in the league. The sight of empty seats and banners over covering others sums up Scottish Football’s Pettiness. The Game, which was live on Sky regularly cut to the empty seats and tarped off areas. A poor visual for the Game.

Peter Martin, a pundit for PLZ Soccer, voiced his confusion on the matter, tweeting, “I just don’t understand why Celtic’s ticket allocation at Easter Road has been reduced. There are empty seats all over the place. Only in Scotland!!!” His sentiments are echoed by many who feel that this trend of reducing away allocations is harming the spectacle of Scottish football.

In recent years, several SPFL clubs have followed a similar approach, reducing away fan numbers due to various reasons, often related to alleged behavioural issues. However, these decisions often ignore the economic sense of filling more seats and the broader implications for the matchday experience.

The frustration among Celtic fans is understandable. Away days are a crucial part of the football culture, and being locked out, especially when there are empty seats in the stadium, feels like a slap in the face. It remains to be seen if there will be any reversal or adjustment in these policies, but for now, it’s a situation that leaves many fans puzzled and disappointed.