http://scotzine.com/2010/09/05/police-pile-into-celtic-support-during-jock-stein-friendship-cup/
60 Celtics fans were kicked out of Albion Rovers’ stadium during the Jock Stein Friendship Cup friendly between Celtic and Rovers, after they set off smoke grenades and flares.
According to the Sunday Mail, Police ejected the Green Brigade over fears the flares would cause a fire at Rovers’ Cliftonhill ground in Coatbridge.
A spokesman for Albion Rovers said, “A load of kids set off smoke bombs. There must have been 50 or 60 of them and they were all teenagers. They were just causing trouble but the stewards and police handled the situation effectively and got them out the ground. There were just under 700 fans at the game and these idiots didn’t spoil the afternoon for them.”
According to Celtic fans outwith the group and Rovers fans, the Green Brigade belted out Pro-IRA songs along with the usual unfurling of banners and setting off the flares.
One Celtic fan online said, “A special mention has to go to the Green Brigade who basically ruined the first half. Seriously, is there any need to go to a tiny wee ground, full of families and wee kids and give it the IRA songbook then start letting off smoke canisters? When the Police waded in and started lifting them, they were being enthusiastically cheered on by everyone else in the ground.
I’ve seen some stupid behaviour at football matches, but the GB today were a disgrace to the club. That game is Albion Rovers biggest fundraiser of the year and they cost them a fortune in Police and Fire call outs, not to mention the folks that won’t bother going next year.”
A police spokeswoman confirmed that arrests had been made. She said, “Around 60 fans were ejected because they were involved in letting off smoke grenades.”
One fan was arrested inside the stadium while four others were arrested or given spot fines for minor offences outside the stadium.
The match ended 3-3 after 90 minutes with Callum McGregor, Filip Twardzik and Bahrudin Atajic finding the net for Celtic. It went to penalties and the youthful Celts held their nerve, and U19 keeper Robbie Thomson pulled off a superb save, to win 5-4 and lift the trophy.
It is only five days till the 25th anniversary of Legendary Celtic manager Jock Stein’s death. A man who in 1972 in a game against Stirling jumped into the Celtic support to stand up to individuals singing sectarian songs. He is even quoted as saying, “Surely there are enough Celtic songs without introducing religion or politics or anything else.”
So the same fans who hold Stein in legendary status, were thrown out of a friendly that celebrates Jock Stein, sang songs that Stein never approved of and therefore shames his memory with their antics that have no place in football.
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