IT is important, as Sir Alex Ferguson would always stress whenever his Aberdeen and Manchester United teams lifted a trophy, to celebrate a success given all the hard work which has gone into it.
So Celtic’s manager, backroom team, players, staff and supporters should certainly enjoy themselves to the full when Callum McGregor is presented with the cinch Premiership silverware for the third successive year following their game against St Mirren at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.
This has been a difficult season for them and then some. The return of Brendan Rodgers was not universally applauded back in June, new signings struggled to settle, key players were lost to injury for extended periods and their form often fell some way short of the standards expected.
On top of that, there was the highly unfortunate Liel Abada affair to contend with as well.
To come through it all, fend off the challenge of a resurgent Rangers and be crowned Scottish champions once again is a fine accomplishment. Everyone involved is more than entitled to savour the occasion, uncork the champagne, have a sing-song and stage the mother and father of all title parties.
What followers of the Glasgow giants are not entitled to do afterwards, however, is descend on the city centre in their thousands, in their tens of thousands even, and continue the festivities on the streets of the Trongate and the Merchant City.
Warnings have been issued by both Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland ahead of the widely anticipated mass influx of revellers tomorrow. Alas, they look set to fall on deaf ears judging by the online reaction. “Ban Orange walks and we can have a discussion then,” was typical of the responses which appeared on social media websites.
There were three serious assaults and one man had to be rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being attacked. No fewer than 18 people suffered injuries “mainly due to intoxication”. There were, too, 10 arrests made for offences including assault and police assault and eight fixed penalty notices issued.
The intention of those who danced triumphantly along London Road after the 5-0 thrashing of Aberdeen in the final league game of the 2022/23 campaign would doubtless have been to carry on lauding their heroes. But it was always inevitable that the unauthorised and unregulated open air shindig would not end well.
Some thought should be given to the impact which their irresponsible, selfish and dangerous actions will have on innocent members of the public.
As the council statement said: “In recent years, many people have felt uncomfortable and even unsafe when supporters have congregated in places like Trongate or George Square to celebrate.
“Residents and businesses have had to deal with the aftermath of littering, vandalism, and other anti-social behaviour once the crowds have headed home.
“As this season reaches its conclusion over the next two weekends, we want everyone to be able to celebrate safely, responsibly and with consideration for others. Whoever you support, whatever the results, enjoy yourself, but please respect the city.”
Celtic fans are by no means the only offenders. The scenes outside Ibrox and in George Square after Rangers had won the Premiership for the first time in 10 years back in 2021 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when social distancing measures were in place were nothing short of shameful.
There have been numerous calls for a fan zone to be set up in Glasgow Green in recent days and it is not a bad suggestion at all. If there was an area for partygoers to head to which had stewards, police and medics on site it would perhaps prevent trouble flaring and anyone being hurt. It is something that Celtic should maybe consider going forward.
Still, the absence of one this year does not give anyone the right to flout the laws of the land and put those who have the misfortune to stray into their near vicinity at risk of harm.
Police have promised they “will have a proportionate plan in place to maintain public safety and minimise any disruption to the community” if there is a repeat of last year’s affray. It is to be hoped there is no need for them to resort to heavy-handed tactics.
But if they do have to, those who find themselves on the receiving end will only have themselves to blame.
