THE Celtic fans who staged a protest just after kick-off against Dundee on Sunday have been slammed by other supporters for their “divisive” actions.
Tennis balls and oranges were thrown onto the pitch from the away end just seconds into the game at Dens Park, which the Hoops eventually lost 2-0.
The display was the latest anti-board protest staged by Celtic fans, who are demanding change at the top of the club.
The match had to be stopped and players stepped in to help the Dundee ground staff clear the area, with the game having to be stopped for three minutes (and ironically, Dundee scored their second goal in first half stoppage time).
Several banners have been seen at Celtic Park this season calling for the board to resign, and in recent weeks the Celtic Fans Collective led on holding silent protests inside the ground.
Last week a new ‘Not Another Penny’ scheme was devised, urging fellow supporters to not spend any money inside the stadium on things like food and drink.
STALLED
Brendan Rodgers says Celtic are more Honda than Ferrari now after Dundee defeat
MEGA OFFER
Get £50 in free bets to spend on football when you stake £10 with Betfred
But after the scenes at Dens Park on Sunday, the newly-formed group came under fire from other fans on social media.
As one Celtic supporter said: “Celtic Fans Collective has lost respect of the fans after today.
“They quickly need to communicate whether this was their agreed objective or if it was not.
“Given they slag the board for communication they need to do this quickly.”
Several fans took issue with the method of protest, insisting that it disrupted the team more than the board.
This fan said: “How can anyone think that throwing stuff on the pitch will affect the board and not the team?
“The players were all shaking their heads while clearing the pitch. Why would folk continue to throw balls on the pitch in the second half when the Dundee goalie was taking goal kicks?”
Others continued in that same vein, in that the protest did nothing to help the team win the game at hand.
One said: “Ridiculous. Celtic needed a quick start today. Totally pulled the rug from under that.
“Stick to things that target the board, not the players or management.
“I’m beginning to think a year of winning nothing might be a good thing to teach our younger supporters some humility.”
Another Hoops supporter said: “Team needing our support, not this, back the team.
“100 percent behind the campaign and Not A Penny More, but this is self defeating.”
And a third said: “In terms of protesting, the focus has to be on disrupting our board. Not disrupting the match and certainly not disrupting the players.”
Others took issue with the method of protest not being agreed by the majority of fans.
One said: “Apparently this specific action, was NOT agreed upon on Thursday, although talk of protests at the game was. I think we need to do better, and try and carry the vast majority of supporters with the collective.
“Perhaps a misstep in these early days?”
While this fan said: “Was this a Fans Collective move? If so, you’re in danger of losing people.”
Another said: “I’m a season ticket holder and absolutely want to see the back of this board, but this kind of tactic is divisive.
“Not Another Penny, red cards, pre-match demos and banners I’m fine with, but today was a misstep in the campaign.”
The same fan then added: “Who decided on this action today? How was the decision arrived at? Who was consulted?”
However, there were some who praised the protesters for their actions.
One supporter said: “Excellent, more of this the better.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
BAKE MY DAY
Popular Scots bakery lands £1m supermarket deal with their iconic pie
SPINE-CHILLER
Scotland faces 70mph gusts in storm as Dracula-inspired name confirmed
Another remarked: “The happy clappers’ responses to this are incredibly predictable.”
And a third said: “Class by the lads and lassies. Anyone complaining is a f****** idiot that doesn’t understand how protesting is supposed to work.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
