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Rod Stewart has admitted that the Green Brigade ‘have a point’ in boycotting some Celtic matches.
The club’s leading in-stadium fan group will be absent from tonight’s Europa League clash with Celta Vigo, having announced a boycott due to their private and public treatment by the Parkhead hierarchy.
Music legend and high-profile supporter Stewart has been critical of the Green Brigade in the past, saying they should ‘behave themselves’ after the club condemned their use of flares in UEFA competitions.
On this occasion, however, the club’s ‘sloppy’ transfer business has led Stewart to concede that fans are at least a bit justified… though he still pointed to the reality of the club’s immense domestic success.
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Speaking on talkSPORT, Stewart said firstly on the Hoops’ stunning 7-1 win over Hearts at the weekend: “It’s funny you should say that, because I posted something last week to Martin.
“I said, ‘Dear Martin… my starting front three [against Hearts] would be Osmand, Duran and Hassan, and Chamberlain in the midfield, because we lack a bit of muscle’. So three of those four I got right! I don’t know if I convinced him or not, but I was over the moon. I’ll be in the dugout next week!”
On the Green Brigade boycott and protests, Stewart continued: “It’s so negative, and I hope it doesn’t ring down to the players’ thoughts as they come out the tunnel.
“I think maybe they’ve got a point, the supporters. Our transfers have been sloppy sometimes. But then, on the other side of it, look how many trophies we’ve won.”
Ahead of tonight’s clash with Celta Vigo, Stewart continued: “I fancy their chances tonight. I didn’t even watch the match against Benfica, because I knew they’d have no chance whatsoever. But even so, they still hit the woodwork a couple of times… but they were totally outplayed.
“But tonight, I fancy their chances. The players have got to step up to get [the fans’] back. That part of the ground is empty, the Green Brigade not turning up. So the rest of the supporters have got to make a lot of noise.
“Like any league, a couple of wins on the trot, if that happens, can shoot you right up to the top. So we do have to win tonight to stand any chance.”