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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Celtic fans sent 'it's our home' message as Motherwell boss backs chief executive over 'locked out' claims

Motherwell manager Graham Alexander has backed chief executive Alan Burrows after claims Celtic fans were 'locked out' of Sunday's match at Fir Park.

7,421 spectators were inside the 13,742 capacity as the Hoops ran riot in a 4-0 Premiership win. The Steelmen remain fourth in the league ahead of facing Dundee United on Wednesday.

Burrows explained that the home support has to come first in North Lanarkshire and it's a sentiment Alexander agrees with.

While the 'Well manager does think that his club are always good hosts for their opponents, fans in claret and amber have to be the first priority.

Alexander said: "It's our stadium. It's our home. We are gracious and welcoming to other clubs and their supporters, but not at the detriment of our supporters who support us through thick and thin.

"I agree with him. We have to look after our own and we have to protect each other. Fir Park has to feel like home."

Burrows said on Twitter: "We have three home stands, all of which have Motherwell season ticket holders, who have paid for their seat.

"They haven’t committed their cash to support the club to be shifted about when there’s a more financially convenient situation.

"Our club have previously taken that route in the past, and all it does is erode the belief in trying to build something bigger and deeper within our support.

"As it happens, we've got more season ticket holders now than we've ever had at any point in our 136-year history.

"A part of that is, in my view, is supporters genuinely believing that you make decisions with their best interests at heart, even if it's to the detriment of a short-term cash injection.

"It's a longer term project to grow our own supporter base and that means you have to make long-term calls. Ideally I'd be able to fit everyone in who wants to go to games, and people (home or away fans) wouldn't miss out."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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