Who are the Green Brigade? The Celtic Ultras group are currently seeking legal advice over an alleged “premeditated attack” by Police Scotland ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Rangers.
Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic were beaten 3-2 by bitter rivals Rangers in a thrilling Old Firm derby clash on Sunday, and despite the defeat, the Bhoys remain 13 points clear at the summit of the table.
The match itself didn’t create the only notable headline however, as police later confirmed that 90 supporters were reported to the Procurator Fiscal after allegedly refusing to be searched ahead of the fixture at Celtic Park.
Police Scotland state that the fans posed a threat to safety “due to possible possession of weapons and pyrotechnics”.
Ultras group the Green Brigade claim that supporters were kettled and held on London Road for five hours with no access to food, water or toilets, causing them to miss the entire match.
In a statement, the group called for a formal review of fan engagement in Scottish football with a view to implementing a formal framework, dubbing Police Scotland’s measures as “draconian and unnecessary”.
Green Brigade statement on yesterday's events and general fan repression pic.twitter.com/VgKqyVtwD6
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) March 17, 2025
Who Are The Green Brigade? Celtic Ultras Group
The Green Brigade are a Celtic F.C. supporters or ultras group based in the North Curve corner of Celtic Park in Section 111, an area of the ground that has safe-standing rails, made up of around 1,000 diehard Celtic fans.
Formed in 2006 in an attempt to improve the matchday atmosphere at Celtic Park, the Green Brigade are known for their choreographed banner displays (tifos), especially on European nights, chanting and pyrotechnics usage.
They describe themselves as anti-fascist and left-wing and are often associated with supporting Scottish independence, Irish Republicanism and the Palestinian cause. Their website states that the group is “notoriously difficult for fans to join”.
The Green Brigade have also been part of their fair share of controversies since their inception.
In 2013, their section at Celtic Park was temporarily closed after safety warnings were repeatedly ignored, which came around the time that Celtic fans caused £10,000 worth of damage to Motherwell’s Fir Park.
They also hit the headlines for protesting against the poppy being displayed on their jersey in 2010, unfurling a banner which read: “Your deeds would shame all the devils in Hell. Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan. No bloodstained poppy on our Hoops.”
Not only that, but the club received an £8,600 from UEFA after the Green Brigade waved Palestine flags during a Champions League qualifier against Israeli side Hapoel Beer-Sheva in 2016. In response, the ultras group raised a total of £176,000, which was donated to several Palestinian charities.
In addition, they have a long history of organising foodbank collections and donate to multiple foodbanks each year.
