Celtic hope to allow in around 25,000 supporters at Parkhead for their first home Scottish Premiership fixture against Dundee on August 7… and a crowd of 18,500 will watch friendly with West Ham this weekend
- Celtic have been in discussions with the city council over increased attendances
- Around 25,000 supporters are set to head to Parkhead for the Dundee home tie
- The figure will be a significant increase on the 9,000 crowd against Midtjylland
- With Covid-19 measures relaxed, 18,500 fans will watch the West Ham friendly
Celtic are hoping to be able to welcome around 25,000 supporters to Parkhead for their Scottish Premiership fixture against Dundee next month.
A total of 9,000 spectators were allowed in for the 1-1 draw with Midtjylland in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.
And with the club having been in discussions with the city council, there is now an ambition to have the 60,000-capacity stadium just under half full on August 7.
Celtic are hopeful of welcoming just under 25,000 supporters for their fixture against Dundee
Celtic have said they are ‘encouraged by the indicative figure of around 24,500 for the subsequent home game’.
The attendance will be increased again to 18,500 for the friendly against West Ham this Saturday following a meeting with the local Safety Advisory Group.
A statement from the club said: ‘We were delighted to have our supporters with us last night for the game against FC Midtjylland, and we really look forward to welcoming our fans once again for the match this Saturday.
Around 9,000 spectators were at Celtic Park for the Champions League tie with FC Midtjylland
‘We can assure our supporters we will be doing all we can to work closely with the relevant authorities and welcome our fans back in even greater numbers in the coming weeks.
‘Details on match ticket balloting for West Ham United will be shared in the next 24 hours, but in the meantime we ask that you continue to familiarise yourself with our new protocols for reduced capacity matches at Celtic Park.
‘We want nothing more than to welcome as many fans back to the stadium as quickly as possible, and therefore appreciate your patience as we continue to work behind the scenes to make that happen.’
Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland were eased on Monday, allowing for the crowds at sporting events to be gradually ramped up.
Celtic have been in talks with the city council and safety group about an increased attendance
Rangers have been given the green light to have 17,000 supporters for their season opener against Livingston on July 31.
The numbers are a marked improvement from the capacities earlier this month, with just 2,000 spectators watching Celtic’s friendly against Preston recently.
They will look to bounce back from the draw with Midtjylland that leaves them with it all to do to qualify for the Champions League proper.
Evander’s free-kick in the second half cancelled Liel Abada’s opener to deny new boss Ange Postecoglou a winning start, and he was happy to shoulder the blame.
New Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou shouldered the blame for the 1-1 draw against Midtjylland
‘I am confident tonight that we will go there and put in a good performance. I can’t ask any more of the players,’ Postecoglou said.
‘Sometimes the result belies the facts before you. We will be better prepared no doubt, in eight days’ time.
‘In fact, I don’t think we will ever be as badly prepared as we were tonight and that’s on me, going into such an important game.
‘We have eight more days. I feel confident that the preparation and the spirt we have, we will put in a good performance. It is on me.’
