Michael Stewart Slams Celtic Management Over Pre-Match Chaos Before Bayern Munich Clash
Scottish football pundit Michael Stewart has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his latest rant on Celtic’s handling of events outside the stadium before their Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich has sparked widespread debate. Known for his blunt assessments, Stewart took aim at the club’s hierarchy over what he described as “a complete failure of responsibility” in the buildup to one of Celtic’s biggest European nights.
PRE-MATCH CHAOS: WHAT HAPPENED?
Ahead of Celtic’s highly anticipated home clash against Bayern Munich, reports emerged of serious crowd management issues outside the stadium. Fans faced significant delays getting into the ground, with some missing large portions of the first half. Others complained about heavy-handed stewarding, last-minute ticketing issues, and a general lack of organization, leading to frustration and even safety concerns.
Videos circulated on social media showing large queues and bottlenecks, raising questions about whether the club and authorities had properly prepared for the influx of supporters. Some fans likened the scenes to the issues that have plagued major fixtures in European football in recent years, leading to fears over crowd safety.
MICHAEL STEWART UNLEASHES CRITICISM
Speaking on live television after the game, Stewart didn’t hold back in his assessment of the situation. The former Hearts and Hibs midfielder blasted Celtic’s leadership, accusing them of failing their own supporters.
“This is completely unacceptable from Celtic. We’ve seen these types of situations before, and we know the dangers that can arise when a club doesn’t properly manage its own fanbase on big European nights. How many times do supporters need to suffer before real changes are made?”
Stewart went on to criticize what he sees as a pattern of mismanagement from Celtic’s board, arguing that these issues reflect a broader problem at the club.
“It’s not just about tonight. This is part of a bigger problem at Celtic. Whether it’s fan safety, ticket pricing, or recruitment strategy, the people running the club are letting the supporters down time and time again. This isn’t just about one bad night; it’s a reflection of how Celtic have been run over the past few years.”
The pundit also drew comparisons to Celtic’s declining standards on the pitch, suggesting that poor off-field decisions are now being mirrored in their footballing performances.
“If the same lack of attention to detail is happening in the boardroom, is it any wonder Celtic look so far behind the top European sides on the pitch? It’s all connected, and unless they sort it out, these nights will become a regular embarrassment.”
FAN REACTION AND CLUB RESPONSE
Unsurprisingly, Stewart’s comments divided opinion among Celtic supporters. Many agreed with his stance, demanding answers from the club over the disorganization, while others felt his criticism was overly dramatic, especially given the occasion.
On social media, Celtic fans expressed their anger at the club’s handling of the situation.
• “Disgraceful from the club tonight. Paid big money for this and couldn’t even get in on time. Absolute shambles.”
• “Stewart might be a bit over the top, but he’s not wrong. Celtic board has been taking fans for granted for too long.”
• “Same problems every big game. When will the club learn?”
As for Celtic, the club has yet to release an official statement, but sources close to Parkhead suggest an internal review of the situation may take place.
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL’S BROADER PROBLEM?
While Celtic bore the brunt of Stewart’s criticism, some pundits and fans pointed out that poor matchday experiences have become an issue across Scottish football. Complaints about stewarding, outdated stadium infrastructure, and poor fan engagement are common, leading to a sense of disillusionment among supporters.
In recent seasons, Scottish league matches have been criticized for a lack of excitement on the pitch as well, with many fans finding games uninspiring compared to other European leagues. This has led to growing frustrations, particularly from younger supporters who feel Scottish football is failing to modernize.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The fallout from Stewart’s rant is unlikely to die down anytime soon. With Celtic’s European campaign still ongoing, there will be intense scrutiny on whether the club improves its handling of big-match occasions.
More broadly, his comments could reignite discussions over fan treatment and matchday experiences in Scottish football as a whole. While the quality on the pitch remains a concern for many, nights like this remind supporters that off-field issues can be just as damaging to the reputation of the game.
For now, though, Celtic fans will be hoping that future European nights bring more excitement inside the stadium—and fewer problems outside it.
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