The significance and impact of fans in Scottish football are well-documented, particularly in the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic. A major aspect of this rivalry is the deep-seated animosity between the supporters of both teams, with the Celtic and Rangers ultras often clashing off the pitch.
The hostility between these two groups of football ultras extends beyond the sport, with religious and political motivations playing significant roles. Celtic ultras generally align with leftist political beliefs and identify with Catholicism, making them an interesting group to analyse.
This post contains all the information you need about these teams, so read on to learn more.
/https%3A%2F%2Ffootballgroundguide.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F10%2FA-guide-to-the-Celtic-ultras.jpg "Celtic ultras: A guide to the Green Brigade, identity and history 1")
Who are the Celtic ultras?
The largest group of Celtic ultras are called the Green Brigade. Unlike many large ultra groups across Europe, the group haven't been around for particularly long after being officially formed in 2006. The group came from the remnants of the previous ultra group, the Jungle Bhoys, which were formed just a year earlier.
The group markets itself as ‘anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian. They have grown from a small group of around 100 fans in 2006 to a large group in the thousands that is now synonymous with Celtic fans both at home and away from Celtic Park.
It is worth noting that while the group do claim to be anti-sectarian, sections have been known to sing pro-IRA chants.
At Celtic Park, the group stand in the North Curve, an area of the ground that is now decked out with safe-standing rails. One of their aims when they first formed in 2006 was to improve the atmosphere and the stadium, and they have certainly done that, particularly on big occasions.
Like many ultra groups, the Green Brigade have gathered momentum, fame, and popularity thanks to the banners, displays and tifos they frequently display before and during matches. They are often quite clever and impactful, although there have also been occasions where they have caused great discomfort for the club.
Who are the Green Brigade?
The Green Brigade is an ultras group of Celtic supporters, recognised for their impressive banner displays, tifos, and continuous chanting. They occupy their section at Celtic Park, located on the north curve.
The Green Brigade, a supporters' group, clearly expresses its views on various non-football issues. They advocate for Palestine, support the Black Lives Matter Movement, and oppose the wearing of poppies around Remembrance Day. In 2016, following Celtic's match against the Israeli team Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the Champions League Qualification stage, a faction of the Green Brigade initiated a project called Aida Celtic. This movement was sparked by the fixture controversy and the fines Celtic had previously received for fans displaying Palestine flags.
Now, members of the Green Brigade have had their season tickets withdrawn by Celtic. The group also saw members of the group lose access to purchasing away tickets as a way to circumvent any ban.
Celtic ultras incidents
Over the years, Celtic Ultras have been linked to several controversial incidents. We explore the most shocking ones below.
Anti-poppy banners
The group has consistently maintained a strong anti-poppy stance over the years, expressing their opposition to the club's decision to display the poppy on the Celtic shirt each November. In 2010, the Green Brigade displayed a banner that read, “Your deeds would shame all the devils in Hell. Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan. No bloodstained poppy on our Hoops.”
This display unsurprisingly caught the attention of the wider media and ultimately got the group in trouble with the club. Celtic released a statement shortly after condemning the banner, saying that it painted a bad image of the club.
If you hate the royal family, clap your hands
In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away after a 70-year reign as head of the British monarchy. As a mark of respect, football clubs all over the United Kingdom marked matches with a minute's silence or applause before kick-off, and Celtic were no exception to the rule.
However, the Green Brigade, who are vehemently anti-monarchy, had other ideas. Before the club's match with St Mirren, a minute of applause took place, but the Green Brigade burst into a rendition of ‘If you hate the royal family clap your hands' which sparked widespread fury.
/https%3A%2F%2Ffootballgroundguide.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F10%2FCeltic-fans-royal-family.jpg "Celtic ultras: A guide to the Green Brigade, identity and history 2")
Celtic ultras unleash seven-part tirade at Celtic board
At the beginning of the 2025/26 season, the Celtic ultras published a statement attacking the Celtic board on seven key areas. They were as follows:
- The justification for raising season ticket prices when the club have tens of millions of pounds in the bank.
- The lack of investment in Celtic Park.
- The lack of transparency around ticketing.
- Failing to act on the 2024 fan survey
- Lack of engagement with fan groups to improve matchday atmosphere.
- Unwillingness to develop a ‘Celtic End'.
- The lack of updates on the Fairhurst Inquiry.
Green Brigade accuse Celtic of ‘exploiting' fans
The Green Brigade released a statement in October accusing the club of showing a “desire to exploit supporter demand” ahead of the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Rangers on November 2.
The ultras group have not received any tickets for the semi-final after the club's allocation was cut by 500. The reduction was a punishment for the use of pyrotechnics by Celtic supporters in last season's League Cup semi-final and final against Aberdeen and Rangers respectively.
In a statement, the Green Brigade said: “In a further demonstration of a detachment from fans, fairness and transparency, Celtic FC has sold an undisclosed amount of standard tickets as Hospitality Packages for this match,” the statement continued.
“Priced between £ 150-£300 (excluding VAT), this legalised ticket touting exposes the club's desire to exploit supporter demand and sow unnecessary division between fans.”
They went on to thank another ultras group, the Bhoys, who decided not to attend the semi-final as an act of solidarity with the Green Brigade.
Iconic Green Brigade tifos
St Patrick's Day celebration
North Curve Celtic St. Patrick's day tifo, defying current restrictions on tifos at Celtic Park. pic.twitter.com/LPU5wguc7k
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) March 17, 2024
Fear nothing
what an absolute belter of a tifo by the north curve at celtic park this morning. glasgow celtic, we set the standard in every single way ? pic.twitter.com/j5KFNODowb
— ??????? ?????? ?????????? (@DetroitCSC) May 11, 2024