Celtic fans slammed for having a ‘detrimental effect’ on the team by Hoops icon
Celtic fans are continuing to protest at the board at matches, but their actions have not gone down well with one former player.
During Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Dundee, supporters threw items onto the pitch at the beginning of the match to delay the contest.
Celtic supporters are wanting to oust the clubs board following what they believe to have been an unambitious summer transfer window.
The Hoops are five points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and go into their Europa League match against Sturm Graz with just one point from two games.
Paul Lambert blasts fan protests
Speaking to the Daily Record, [21 October], former Celtic player Paul Lambert believes the fans are handing a “detrimental effect” on the teams performances.
“I think it’s definitely having a negative effect on everything. The fans have obviously got their reasons for doing it,” Lambert said.
“Sometimes it’s an easy excuse to hide behind, but as a player when you step onto that field it shouldn’t be in your makeup because you can’t influence anything like that, all you can concentrate on is winning games.
“The players have to look at themselves as well, they’re not getting results at this moment in time. You can only hide behind transfers and things like that for long enough.
“It’s very unlike the Celtic fans, I have to say, because they are really loyal to the club and the team.
“But I think with what’s happening, the players are getting affected by it a little bit, but that shouldn’t really come into play. It should be about getting the job done and whatever happens off the field happens.
“So is it having a detrimental effect? I think it is yes. But these things should be the furthest thing from your mind as a player.
“The delays in the game against Dundee with fans throwing things on the pitch, that is an easy excuse to hide behind as well.
“That’s the beauty of being a Celtic player, you have to hit the standard that fans expect. When you win, that will blow over, but because they got beat it almost becomes a crisis.
“If the team sat down in the dressing room and spoke about what’s going on, they would know themselves that they’re not performing to the level that a Celtic player should.”
Celtic fans staying away from Sturm Graz fixture
Celtic fans are boycotting Europa League fixtures meaning there are expected to be plenty of empty seats against Sturm Graz.
The Braga fixture saw an underwhelming European atmosphere at Celtic Park, at a stadium which usually relishes such nights.
| Celtic Park Capacity | 60,411 |
| Celtic v Braga Attendance | 46,232 |
For the players, not having the vocal backing of the support has had an impact in the past, like during the Covid season.
Without a victory from their opening two Europa League games, not beating Sturm Graz would put Celtic in a perilous position in the league phase table.