SCUNTHORPE UNITED: Celtic agreement to face Iron in friendly
SCUNTHORPE United do have an agreement for a pre-season friendly game with Scottish giants Celtic.
But though discussions have taken place between the two clubs, the Iron's general manager David Beeby believes it is unlikely to happen this summer.
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FRIENDLY RETURN? Ex-Iron goal ace Gary Hooper.
"We have an agreement for a friendly against a Celtic XI written into the deal that took Gary Hooper up there last summer," said Beeby.
"We started discussions with Celtic at the start of this year, but nothing has been finalised.
"We have also had discussions with the police.
"Unfortunately in the past, Celtic have had some problems when they have come to play friendly games in England.
"That is something that has got to be taken into consideration in discussions about policing the game."
Beeby admitted that one of the reasons Scunthorpe switched the date of their friendly at Gainsborough from Tuesday, July 19 to Wednesday July 20, was to create a window of opportunity to play Celtic on the Tuesday night.
"We have been having various discussions and although I would not say that a game with them was dead yet, I think it is unlikely now that it will happen this year," said Beeby.
If the game does go ahead, it will likely be a young Celtic squad with possibly one or two first teamers – maybe even Hooper himself.
7 Comments
by timmolloy
Wednesday, June 15 2011, 1:19PM
“Scunnyworker.....I just read that report in the link on your post. Destroyed half of Lincoln.......? That's quite an exaggeration. And according to that report - from a local reporter in Lincoln who comes across as more measured and impartial than your comments appear to be - BOTH Celtic and Lincoln fans were arrested . Fo minor scuffles. Alcohol related. No other incidents inside the ground. And to conclude there's a glowing account of the behaviour of the Celtic fans from a local landlord wh oststes that al lwas OK until they were confronted by local youths.
Sensational stuff, eh?”
by scatman4159
Wednesday, June 15 2011, 1:06PM
“to be fair there was a fair bit of trouble when we played the cod heads in a freindly last year but surely Celtic would be a good money spinner as a pre season game...the list of games we have so far are shocking and surely can't be seen as a good test for us although the way we played last year probably is at the level of Bottesford, Gainsborough, Halifax etc etc...
You do have to worry about the running of the club... we have a family section right near the away fans - is this good practice Mr Beeby!!! why should children be subjected to abuse from travelling fans. I had a season ticket in that area last year... not bothering this year”
by scunnyworker
Wednesday, June 15 2011, 12:31PM
“http://tinyurl.com/427wwhx
Can people not remember Celtic 'Fans' destroying half of Lincoln the other year???”
by HughZoff
Wednesday, June 15 2011, 12:23PM
“I am getting quite good at in between line reading when it comes to SUFC and the words used to portray situations to the media. The police will want to man this up to the hilt so will have this as a Category 'A' game. But at £10 per ticket it makes the tie an unattractive proposition financially so we get the excuses and mistruths to deflect the real reason. At least we can get 3-400 fans to watch Gainsbourough and Bottesford whilst getting 3-4000 fans plus away supporters to watch Celtic and Gary Hooper is off the club's radar. Boooooooooo.”
by Davedocify
Wednesday, June 15 2011, 12:16PM
“test”
by Davedocify
Wednesday, June 15 2011, 12:14PM
“I think Mr Beeby needs to rethink his assertion about the record of Celtic's fans behaviour. Their exemplary conduct stands in stark contrast to another Glasgow clubs violent exploits. He may well be talking his club out of a lucrative friendly when it gets boycotted by the fans for this. Not a clever bloke.”
by timmolloy
Wednesday, June 15 2011, 11:07AM
“QUOTE......."Unfortunately in the past, Celtic have had some problems when they have come to play friendly games in England"........
That's news to me . And to most Celtic supporters. If David Beeby is suggesting that Celtic fans have been involved in trouble at away games, then he's very wrong. Celtic fans have an unrivalled reputation in Europe for good behaviour and in fact were awarded an honour from UEFA for their impeccable behaviour not too long ago. Perhaps some people don't like some of the songs that sections of our fans sing, particularly those songs about Ireland and it's politics, but that's the environment Celtic and many of it's founders and supporters have ooriginated from. And we're working on it.”