The highly anticipated title decider between Celtic and Hearts could see the Jambos lift the trophy after 66 years.
Previous title celebrations in Glasgow(Image: Getty Images)
Thousands of football fans will descend onto Glasgow today as excitement amps up for the Scottish Premiership final.
The highly anticipated title decider between Celtic and Hearts could see the Jambos lift the trophy after 66 years. However, a Celtic triumph would see boss Martin O’Neill pull off a miraculous comeback after the club’s disastrous start to the season.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes said: “It’s pure box office.”
The match will kick off at 12.30pm and will take place at Celtic Park. Around 800 Hearts fans will travel to the stadium in the east end of Glasgow after Celtic sold out its away day allocation.
If Hearts win, it will be the club’s first top flight title since 1960 – and the first time in more than 40 years that a team other than Celtic or Rangers has won the league. A “comprehensive” policing plan is in place to ensure public safety.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neil(Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Glasgow City Council has urged Celtic fans to “avoid unsafe gatherings” in the Merchant City and Trongate areas following the game. The call follows previous celebrations, which have wreaked havoc on the area.
Celtic have also issued a plea for fans to behave if they triumph over Hearts. Meanwhile, members of the public have been urged to plan travel in advance.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “Glasgow is football daft – and we’re lucky to have two of the biggest and most successful sides in the men’s game here in the city. We want supporters to be able to celebrate success; but ask fans – including those visiting the city – to please avoid disruptive and unsafe mass gatherings at Merchant City / Trongate and other public places.
“Whoever you support, whatever the result – enjoy Saturday’s title decider, but please respect the city and your fellow Glaswegians.”
Celtic fans gather at the Trongate on May 18, 2024(Image: Getty Images)
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: “We have a comprehensive plan in place to support the weekend football fixtures and our policing operation will focus on ensuring public safety and minimising disruption to local communities. We have supported GCC in discussions with both Celtic and Rangers over many months to explore options and encourage the clubs to establish an organised event or fanzone which would allow their supporters to celebrate safely and reduce the impact on the local community should they win the title.
“These talks were held following the widespread disorder within Glasgow city centre following recent league successes.”
If Hearts win, the club will stage an open-top bus parade through Edinburgh, while Celtic has no organised celebration plan.
Chief Constable Waddell continued: “Despite these welcome efforts, Celtic Football Club has again failed to bring forward any plan or take any responsibility for the wider conduct and safety of supporters outside the stadium. Anyone intent on breaking the law and engaging in anti-social behaviour should be in no doubt that we will enforce the law to maintain public safety.
“Anyone planning to visit Glasgow city centre on Saturday should be aware it will be much busier than normal, with increased use of public transport – so please plan your travel in advance.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, Police Scotland confirmed a 19-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a data protection offence, following a complaint of personal information being shared online relating to a Scottish football official. The information regarding referee John Beaton was leaked online following the penalty controversy in Celtic’s win over Motherwell.
He is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court at a later date.
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