Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers criticized fans who booed loudly during a minute’s silence before their match against Kilmarnock on Remembrance Sunday.
The leaders of the Scottish Premiership traveled to Rugby Park and both groups of players joined clubs across the country in remaining silent before kick-off. Kilmarnock officials organized the moment of contemplation to pay their respects and the crowd were reminded that the pre-match gesture would take place.
But while the players were in the center circle, murmurs could be heard in the stands. Kyle Vassell, the hosts’ captain, then approached with a wreath, prompting boos from the visiting contingent. Referee Nick Walsh quickly blew his whistle to signal the start of the minute’s silence, but the boos and whistles persisted.
The show of respect was called off after just nine seconds as fans of the Scottish Premiership champions continued booing and singing pro-IRA songs.
After the match, Rodgers insisted that those who wished to observe the silence should not have been prevented from doing so, but stopped short of unreservedly condemning the disruptive Celtic fans.
Brendan Rodgers criticized Celtic fans who prevented others from observing a minute’s silence on Sunday.
Boos could be heard from the visitors’ camp as both teams paid their respects in the center circle.
Before the start of Sunday, a large banner was also raised denouncing the “genocide in Gaza.”
“If it’s a minute of silence, it’s a minute of silence.” The former Leicester City manager told Sky Sports after his team’s 2-0 win.
“Of course, there’s a little bit of a problem around that every year for us when you do that, but yeah, it’s always tough every year.” But fortunately we got the victory in the football aspect and fortunately we arrived at half-time in a very good place.”
Celtic’s Green Brigade, a group of anti-establishment activists, is believed to have orchestrated several controversial gestures since its formation in 2006.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, a pre-match show of respect was marred by a banner reading: “If you hate the royal family, clap your hands.”
The group also waved inflammatory messages and banners declaring their support for Palestine after the terrorist attack in Israel in October last year.
Last month, alleged representatives of the Green Brigade were refused entry to a meeting with Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes criticized the “horrible” away supporters and revealed his fury at the behaviour.
Celtic even decided when the minute’s silence will end. I mean, we didn’t make these decisions,” McInnes said. ‘I thought it was horrible. Horrible. Why? I’m not going to lie, I’m not a politician or anything, but it’s our turf, it’s our minute of silence.’
“I don’t understand why we shouldn’t have the means to stand up and show some respect for a minute.”
On the field, Celtic achieved an important victory thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn, which keeps them ahead of Aberdeen at the top of the table on goal difference.