NafisaCeltic are heading towards another important European night at Celtic Park, but the latest development surrounding Thursday’s meeting with Beşiktaş will hardly make pleasant reading for the club’s hierarchy.
With thousands of tickets still available less than 24 hours before kick-off, the growing frustration among sections of the support is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
For Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board, this is another uncomfortable reminder that the dissatisfaction surrounding the club extends far beyond the team’s performances on the pitch.
According to figures published by CeltsAreHere, 3,454 tickets remained available on Celtic’s official ticketing website at 5pm on Wednesday, November 4.
The figures were counted across several seating categories, with the largest number of available tickets in the standard lower tier.
A breakdown showed that 1,612 standard lower-tier seats remained available, alongside 993 in the standard upper tier. There were also 687 Grade 1 seats, 151 family tickets and 11 padded seats still on sale.
Adult tickets start at £45, while over-65s and under-16s can purchase tickets from £32. A booking fee of up to £1.60 also applies to each ticket.
It is a disappointing figure for a club preparing to host a major European opponent, particularly when Celtic desperately need their supporters behind them.
However, the situation is about more than ticket sales. Celtic are dealing with several problems at once, and the latest numbers add to the uncomfortable picture facing those at the top of the club.
Martin O’Neill’s team have endured a disastrous start to their Europa League campaign, losing all three of their opening league-phase matches against Ferencváros, Benfica and Celta Vigo.
That leaves Celtic without a single point heading into the Beşiktaş encounter, increasing the pressure on the manager and his players to deliver a response.
But supporters’ frustrations are not limited to results.
Celtic’s summer transfer business attracted considerable criticism, with questions raised about whether the club had done enough to strengthen the squad. Those concerns have only intensified following a series of disappointing performances, both domestically and in Europe.
There is also the continuing dissatisfaction with the Celtic hierarchy and the way the PLC conducts its business.
For Dermot Desmond, one of the most influential figures behind the club’s ownership structure, the situation is particularly uncomfortable. Although he is not responsible for every footballing decision, he remains a central figure in the wider criticism directed towards the club’s leadership.
The latest ticket figures also follow a familiar pattern this season.
CeltsAreHere reported approximately 3,500 tickets remaining three days before Celtic’s September meeting with Ferencváros, while around 2,239 were still available ahead of last month’s match against Celta Vigo.
Hospitality packages are also available directly through Celtic. Club 67 is priced at £135 for adults and £80 for children, while Club Celtic packages range from £85 to £145.
There is, however, an important distinction between tickets remaining on general sale and the number of empty seats that will actually be visible inside the stadium.
Celtic supporters enrolled in the Home Cup Ticket Scheme are automatically charged for European home matches. The club also does not operate a ticket exchange, meaning season ticket holders who have already paid for their seats cannot officially pass them on through the club if they are unable to attend.
Nevertheless, the availability of more than 3,400 tickets so close to kick-off is another concerning development for a club that has traditionally relied on its supporters to create an intimidating atmosphere on European nights.
The ongoing Green Brigade boycott makes the situation even more complicated.
The group has traditionally played a major role in generating the noise and energy associated with Celtic Park, but their boycott remains in place amid the dispute with the club.
Their absence could once again leave a noticeable gap in the atmosphere, particularly during a match in which Celtic need every possible advantage.
The supporters who attend will undoubtedly try to lift the team, but the combination of poor results, recruitment concerns, dissatisfaction with the board and the continuing boycott has created a difficult backdrop.
For Desmond and the Celtic hierarchy, the bigger issue is the growing disconnect between the club and sections of its own support.
A disappointing result against Beşiktaş would only add to the frustration, while even a victory would not automatically resolve the wider concerns surrounding the club’s direction.
Celtic still have an opportunity to change the mood with a convincing performance, but the latest ticket figures suggest that restoring enthusiasm among supporters may require considerably more than three points.
Thursday’s match is therefore important for more than just the Europa League table. It is another test of a club whose relationship with sections of its support is under increasing strain.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm on Thursday, November 5, at Celtic Park.
Nafisa
