Celtic are flying on the pitch and going strong at the top of the Premiership table, but the fans in the stands have caused a heated debate.
The SPFL charged Celtic, along with Motherwell, and rivals Rangers over the use of pyrotechnics.
This comes from the “irresponsible” and “unacceptable” use of pyros by fans for the League Cup semi-finals last month, according to the governing body.
Celtic outclassed Aberdeen at Hampden on that day by scoring six, with kick-off being delayed by 14 minutes because the smoke from the flares made visibility difficult.
Flares were, once again, used for Rangers’ win over Motherwell the next day, but you sense this won’t be the last of it.
Next Sunday, Celtic lock horns with Rangers in the League Cup final at Hampden and you sense fans will want to use pyros again.
Either way, this caused a heated debate between Michael Stewart and Tom English, including whether the use of pyros should be allowed inside football grounds.
Michael Stewart in favour of pyros after Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell SPFL charge
After Celtic beat Hibernian in the Premiership, talk turned to the charges and BBC reporter Tom English was pretty blunt with this whole debate.
He stated that pyros are ‘dangerous’, ‘illegal’ and ‘it wouldn’t add to my experience’ when looking at it from his perspective.
But Michael Stewart was having none of it and labelled his comments as ‘nonsense’ and suggested that use of pyros could be used in a ‘controlled environment’, as he told The Scottish Football Podcast.
I think it’s in everyone’s interest that this charge is brought against the three clubs because it makes the SPFL look strong and to be taking this seriously,” said English. “It helps, Celtic and Rangers in particular, and sends a message to their fans that pyro isn’t acceptable.”
English is asked: ‘Would you accept it adds to the experience?’ And he responds: “What, in terms of the colour? The colour is nice. It’s dangerous.” Before Stewart interrupts: “You are avoiding the question.” And English repeats: “It’s dangerous and I don’t want to see it. It wouldn’t add to my experience.”
Stewart then added: “That’s nonsense. You are saying, there is no safe pyro? Would you not suggest that fireworks that go off before the game are not pyro?”
English: “That’s controlled.”
Stewart: “Does that add to the atmosphere?”
English: “Yes, because it controlled. There is no danger.”
Stewart: “That’s the point here. How can we get a controlled environment (for pyros) because it definitely does add to the atmosphere?! Yes, it’s dangerous.”
English: “And illegal.”
Stewart: “Right, Tom. But we need to try to find some way because it does add to that.”
English: “There is no such thing as safe pyro.”
Stewart: “No, that’s not true. In a controlled environment.
What Brendan Rodgers has had to say amid pyro debate
The modern-day fan watches supporters across Europe act more freely in the stands and create an atmosphere they believe will add to their own environments.
But, of course, the rules are stricter in these parts of the world and it doesn’t sit well with fans, especially those of a younger generation.
Those wanting to use pyros won’t stop and they will continue to do so, with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers also having his say on the matter.
“Safety is of paramount importance, for firstly the people in the stands,” said Rodgers. “I always worry for the people in that area when they are going off. When you’re young sometimes you don’t see the dangers but that’s a concern for me, especially our own supporters.
“My concern is then also for the players. When you’re preparing for a game, it’s detailed to the second so you’re ready to go. We had a 14-minute delay in that semi-final. That can be the cause of someone getting injured, particularly this time of year. You’re standing about waiting, the body is cold again and muscles are at risk.
“These are the little things you would never think about when you’re holding the flare. I don’t see what it adds to the game. It’s right they look into it and try to stop it, hopefully.
