Celtic reveal new 2,600 capacity safe-standing area with Brendan Rodgers set for first home match as manager
The Glasgow club were granted a safe-standing licence 12 months following years of talks
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Your support makes all the difference.Scottish champions Celtic have revealed the completed 2,600 capacity 'rail seating' area at Celtic Park, making them the first British club to do so after lengthy negotiations.
The Glasgow club were granted a safe-standing licence in June last year following years of talks with the City Council which ultimately resulted in two previous applications being rejected, amid concerns over the initiative’s safety and demand for tickets.
Announcing the completion of the construction on Twitter, Celtic said: “Finishing touches on the new Rail Seating section. We look forward to welcoming you all here on Saturday for Brendan Rodgers' first game at Paradise!”
Celtic have paid in the region of £500,000 converting one corner of the 60,000 capacity venue, set to host Champions League football next season if Brendan Rodgers’ side can overturn a first-leg one-goal deficit against Lincoln Red Imps on Wednesday.
The Football Supporters’ Federation have backed the return to safe-standing since the turn of the millennium and it is hoped a successful trial in Scotland could lead to its implementation in England in the near future.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell revealed his delight was delighted when it was announced.
"Celtic has worked tirelessly on this issue and we are delighted that this permission has finally been granted.
“The introduction of rail seating at Celtic Park represents an investment in spectator safety. Across football globally, the reality is that some supporters are choosing to stand at matches.
"This is something we must accept and manage and also understand the positive effect which these areas have on atmosphere at matches."
Standing at British football matches was banned after the Taylor Report in 1990, following the Hillsborough disaster which resulted in the deaths of 96 supporters one year earlier.
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