At the weekend, we published an article covering recent events surrounding the Club, Dermot Desmond and our first resolution for the forthcoming Celtic PLC AGM. As a reminder, the link to sign our first resolution requisition form is here: https://celtictrust.net/2026-agm-resolution-one/
You can also read Saturday’s update here: https://celtictrust.net/tennis-balls-statements-and-resolutions/
Many thanks to those who have taken the time to sign our requisition forms and if you are a shareholder and have still to sign them, there is still time to do so. Keeping the focus on Celtic’s AGM, we now move to our second resolution and the rationale for putting this forward for discussion and a vote.
AGM Resolution: Review of Celtic’s Security Operations
The full resolution and supporting statement can be read and signed here: https://celtictrust.net/2026-agm-resolution-two/
The focus of this resolution is to begin a process of improving the match-day experience for all Celtic fans and reviewing and implementing a new process to deescalate and defuse future incidents that may occur. We believe Celtic fans should be at the centre of that review – and actively involved in safety and security planning moving forward.
Many matchgoing Celtic fans will be all too familiar with changes to security arrangements at both Celtic Park and away grounds across the country. In recent years, an increasing number of incidents impacting on our supporters’ safety both inside and outside of stadiums has caused alarm with increasing numbers of Celtic fans raising concerns – both on social media and to the Club itself.
Issues that have arisen include:
- access arrangements at away grounds (such as Fir Park, Easter Road, Ibrox, Dens Park);
- increased ticket checks, barriers, fences and an increased police presence around the rail-seating section at Celtic Park;
- the use of kettling by police at a recent Glasgow derby; and
- ongoing concern as to the culture and priorities within the security department at Celtic.
Away ground issues
While Celtic will state that they are not responsible for the safety and security at matches played away from Celtic Park, it is disingenuous to claim that they have no influence whatsoever in arrangements put in place locally by each club and the police. Yet, there is no fan input or voice in these conversations. Where issues arise and are reported, there is no feedback; no forum to consult fans; and, with an increasing number of concerns, no lessons learned.
Rail-Seating Section
Those in the North Curve and surrounding areas will have noticed an increase in security arrangements around the rail-seating section. This has, in turn, coincided with changes within the Club’s security department – notably the appointment of Mark Hargreaves as Head of Safety, Security and Operations. As a former senior Police Officer, it is no surprise that the approach developed by the Security Department has moved to one of policing-led supporter management – as opposed to a collaborative safety-led, supporters-focussed approach.
A series of measures were first implemented – both on the terrace and within the concourse – at this part of the ground. The Club cited overcrowding and a need to tackle migration to the North Curve. While that is a difficult issue the Club are responsible for, the measures implemented only sought to exacerbate issues and impact on all fans in the area. This was implemented with no consultation or notice to the fans concerned causing congestion within the concourse; and failing to effectively resolve the issues it sought to address.
These issues remain ongoing within this area of the ground and require supporter input if the Club is serious at finding a solution.
Kettling on London Road
Supporters will be familiar with the incident that occurred outside the CSA on London Road prior to, during and then after the Glasgow derby in March 2025. In total, fans were held by Police Scotland officers, in a kettle (under Section 60 powers) for over five hours. This predominantly targeted the Green Brigade who were due to leave the CSA to walk to Celtic Park for the match. Other fans walking along the route were also caught up in the kettle. In the aftermath of the incident, Celtic commissioned the Fairhurst Review, the findings of which were published around six months later in September 2025. The findings of the Fairhurst Review can be accessed here: https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/september/26/report-issued-by-independent-safety-and-event-consultants–fairhurst/
The findings revealed serious concerns around the welfare, communication, proportionality and treatment of supporters. Despite this, Celtic have not taken a position on the findings and, at a subsequent meeting with Police Scotland and supporter representatives, the Club declined to say whether it considered the policing operation lawful or proportionate – the Club failed to defend our fans even when the evidence presented raised serious questions.
This is yet another extreme example of the necessity for fan input into safety and security planning and discussions; and where serious concerns of the culture around Celtic’s security department arise.
Elected Fan Representatives
A forward-thinking approach would be to involve fans; seek their views which, in turn, can help develop planning around matches – ensuring agreement, safety and trust.
This can only be feasibly facilitated with elected fan representatives meeting with representatives from the Club and security department on a regular basis. Much has been made in recent months of the ‘Celtic Connect’ proposal put forward by the Board. The Celtic Fans Collective recently met with the Club to discuss their own proposal for a Fan Advisory Board (FAB) and, in recent years, members of the Celtic Trust undertook academic work surveying over 7,000 Celtic supporters on the prospect of the Club implementing a FAB.
‘Celtic Connect’ does not constitute a fully democratic FAB. Any FAB implemented by the Club would, as part of its constitution and structure, need to enshrine democratic elections – ensuring all Celtic fans have a say in who represents them. It is this type of group that could represent supporters at meetings with the security department.
The Review
There are countless examples across Europe of clubs who actively involve fans in arrangements and discussions on their safety and security at and en route to football matches. Ahead of the AGM, we will post further updates specifically looking at some of these examples and how they operate.
Before Celtic can get to that stage, a review of current security practices is essential. Examining the training and management of security staff; examining how the Club captures lessons learned from incidents and how it discusses these with impacted fans; and looking at the recruitment of senior staff inside the security department – both in terms of how they understand their role and how they can work with other departments at Celtic (particularly the Supporters Liaison Officer and those leading fan engagement).
Above all, the safety, security and respectful treatment of supporters should be central to safety and security planning – and a review of our current security operations (in light of the incidents cited above) is essential.
This is the purpose of our AGM resolution.
We would kindly ask for shareholders support in ensuring this is moved and discussed at the AGM. You can do so by signing here: https://celtictrust.net/2026-agm-resolution-two/
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