Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, has once again urged the club’s supporters to refrain from using pyrotechnics, particularly ahead of the Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Bonfire Night, which has heightened concerns of a potential Uefa ban.
The use of fireworks by fans during last month’s 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund resulted in Celtic being fined by Uefa and warned that their fans could be banned from attending an away fixture if there is another incident within two years. This warning seemed to have been heeded when Celtic drew away to Atalanta two weeks ago, but the kick-off of Saturday’s Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen was delayed due to another pyro display by Celtic fans. Uefa is closely monitoring the situation.
Rodgers, who has previously described fans who use fireworks as selfish, is keen to avoid a repeat of Saturday’s events at Hampden Park when Leipzig visits Glasgow on Tuesday. “It’s exactly what we’ve said before, it’s not something we want to see,” he stated. “There’s a sanction hanging over the club, and we really don’t want that.” Should Rodgers’ plea be ignored, the away travel ban could potentially affect Celtic’s trip to Zagreb in December.
On a more positive note, Celtic’s Champions League position is more encouraging. The well-earned point in Bergamo means the Scottish champions have secured four points from three matches. Leipzig, on the other hand, is under pressure after losing their first three matches, including a recent home defeat to Liverpool.
“I think Leipzig will be no different to Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund, a top team at the pinnacle of their league,” Rodgers added. “They possess everything you’d expect from a top European side: speed, strength, power, and technique.
“It’s a fantastic challenge for us, and we’re really looking forward to it. After our last couple of away games, we’re on the back of a really good result against Atalanta, and we’re back home, which is exciting. Of course, coming into this fourth game, Leipzig will be desperate to get points on the board. But thankfully, so are we, which should make for a really fantastic game.”
“What Atalanta proved to the players at the highest level is that we can do it, but it requires a lot of concentration, commitment, and togetherness,” Rodgers concluded. “Their synchronization in actions, moving up the pitch, being tight, and filling in spaces was very, very good. So it will be the same for us; we’re going to need moments of that and then that earns you the right to play.”
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