Celtic Football Club’s pre-season preparations have been far from convincing on the pitch, but it is the situation off it that has truly captured the attention of supporters and pundits alike.
The Scottish Premiership giants kicked off their summer friendlies with a 1-1 draw against Irish side Shelbourne at Tolka Park, where Japanese forward Shin Yamada rescued a point with a dramatic stoppage-time penalty. Just days later, the Hoops suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Portuguese powerhouse Sporting CP at the Estádio Algarve, highlighting defensive frailties and a lack of cohesion in Brendan Rodgers’ squad.
Back on home soil at Celtic Park on Saturday, July 18, Celtic managed a 1-1 draw against English EFL Championship outfit Middlesbrough. New signing Camilo Durán provided a first-half equaliser just five minutes after Boro had taken the lead, giving home fans a brief moment of optimism. Yet the result itself felt secondary.
Empty Stands Send a Strong Message
What dominated conversations among the Celtic support was the visibly sparse crowd inside the famous stadium for a 3pm kick-off. Images circulating widely on social media painted a picture of a largely empty Parkhead. Despite Middlesbrough being only a three-hour drive away, around 5,000 away fans made the journey north. Shockingly, they were barely outnumbered by Celtic supporters decked out in the club’s traditional green and white hoops.
The low turnout sent a clear message early in the campaign. A popular fan account, Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic), captured the mood perfectly on July 18 with the post: “The turnout for today’s match. The first message of the season has been sent.” Accompanied by visuals of the hollow stands, the tweet quickly gained traction as supporters voiced their discontent.
Martin O’Neill’s Tone-Deaf Comments
Following the match, when directly asked about the disappointing attendance figures, former Celtic manager and club legend Martin O’Neill offered comments that many have labelled as tone-deaf and out of touch.
“This is not 25 years ago when you would fill the stadium for a pre-season friendly. It is not, life has changed.”
He went on to acknowledge that attending football matches has become “pretty expensive,” a point that many prominent figures in elite football have echoed amid rising ticket prices across the sport.
However, in the eyes of the Celtic faithful, O’Neill completely missed the mark. His remarks failed to address the deeper-rooted issues plaguing the club. Supporters are not simply staying away because of modern lifestyles or costs alone. There is widespread disillusionment with the way the club is being run at board level. Many fans have chosen to actively boycott these pre-season fixtures as a form of protest, using the low-stakes friendlies to make their voices heard without missing competitive league action later in the season.
Historical Attendance Comparison
This is not an isolated incident. A glance at recent pre-season attendances at Celtic Park reveals a stark contrast and directly challenges O’Neill’s perspective.
| Year | Opponent | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Newcastle | 55,000 (including 7,200 away) | Sky Sports |
| 2023 | Athletic Club | 42,000 | Sky Sports |
In 2025, a friendly against Newcastle United drew approximately 55,000 spectators, including over 7,200 away fans. Celtic delivered a commanding 4-0 victory that day, showcasing the kind of performance that excites the support. Similarly, back in 2023, a match against Athletic Club attracted around 42,000 fans. These figures demonstrate that when the occasion feels right and the club’s direction seems aligned with fan expectations, Celtic Park can still fill up impressively for summer games.
O’Neill’s suggestion that times have simply changed ignores this evidence. The comparison with the Newcastle fixture from just a year ago is particularly telling. While more Toon Army supporters travelled to Glasgow than Boro fans on this occasion, the Celtic end was also well-represented in 2025. Supporters turned out in strong numbers because they felt invested. The current emptiness reflects organised frustration rather than apathy or logistical barriers.
Fan Protests and Board Criticism
For years, sections of the Celtic fanbase have expressed concerns over ownership decisions, transfer strategies, ticket pricing policies, and overall communication from the board. Pre-season matches provide the ideal platform for fans to “vote with their feet.” While no one wants to miss out on vital competitive fixtures once the Premiership campaign begins, these friendlies carry lower emotional stakes, allowing protests to hit the club’s revenue streams — particularly ticket sales and concession income — without derailing the season proper.
This approach has been used effectively by supporter groups in the past to highlight issues ranging from player sales and managerial appointments to rising costs that burden loyal fans. The board’s handling of these matters has left many feeling unheard, leading to the visible protest seen against Middlesbrough. Such actions are not taken lightly; they stem from a deep passion for the club and a desire for positive change rather than outright abandonment.
Upcoming AC Milan Friendly in Focus
Looking ahead, Celtic face a high-profile glamour friendly against Italian giants AC Milan next weekend. The seven-time European champions are expected to bring a strong squad, and their players and officials may be surprised if they arrive at an eerily quiet Celtic Park. The club reportedly arranged the fixture with expectations of strong attendance to offset guarantee fees paid to Milan. Whether those assumptions hold up remains to be seen. If the boycott sentiment persists, Parkhead could once again look sparsely populated, sending another powerful signal and potentially leaving the club out of pocket on concessions and atmosphere-related benefits that big-name opponents usually generate.
This situation underscores broader challenges for Celtic. The club, traditionally one of Scotland’s biggest and most passionate, finds itself navigating fan discontent while trying to build momentum for the upcoming domestic and European campaigns. Rodgers and his players will need to focus on improving performances, but the off-field narrative is currently dominating headlines and social media discussions.
Martin O’Neill, a figure revered by many for his past successes at the club, may have intended his comments to be pragmatic. Yet they have landed poorly, potentially angering an already divided and frustrated fanbase. As ticket prices continue to rise across football and clubs demand more from loyal supporters, recognising the genuine grievances — rather than dismissing them as lifestyle changes — appears essential.
Supporters argue that better communication, more competitive pricing for friendlies, transparent transfer policies, and visible progress in how the club is managed could help rebuild trust. Until then, empty seats in pre-season are likely to remain a recurring theme and a headache for those in charge. The coming friendly against AC Milan may prove to be a crucial barometer of fan sentiment heading into the new season.
In summary, Celtic’s pre-season has delivered underwhelming results on the grass and even more underwhelming optics in the stands. The combination of modest performances, low attendance, and Martin O’Neill’s tone-deaf response has only heightened the sense of division. As the club prepares for the rigours of the campaign ahead, bridging the gap with its passionate supporter base will be just as important as any tactical adjustments on the field.