CELTIC Park has had its annual safety certificate renewed after officials felt the club had taken "proportionate action" to deal with serious concerns from the emergency services about flares set off by fans.

A controversial pyrotechnics display at Celtic Park in the last match of the season against Hearts last season raised worries which the club accepted posed a "risk to the renewal of a safety certificate necessary for the operation of the stadium".

There was particular concern about flares being smuggled into May’s clash with Hearts as Celtic celebrated 50 years since the side lifted the European Cup.

The Herald:

Details of the concerns emerged in a letter to fans as Celtic decided to close the Green Brigade section of the stadium for the next two matches after "unsafe behaviour" at the last two competitive matches at Parkhead. Those were the last home game of the season against Hearts on May 27 and the Champions League qualifier win against Linfield last week.

The announcement that the safe standing area would be closed for the matches came the day before the current safety certificate expired.

The decision affects 900 season-ticket holders inthe part of the stadium that houses the ultras group.

A letter from Celtic to fans explaining the closing of the Green Brigade area explained that the Safety Advisory Group of Glasgow City Council, which licenses Celtic Park and comprises members of the council, police, fire and ambulance services had an emergency meeting after the Hearts game and communicated "their serious concerns to the club, which presented a risk to the renewal of the safety certificate necessary for the operation of the stadium and the capacity of the safe standing area."

But it has emerged that after a meeting of the Safety Advisory Group on Thursday, that the safety certificate had now been granted. It is understood it was felt that the two-game Green Brigade ban had sent a strong message from the club.

It came after group officials met with club representatives to discuss renewal for the coming season.

A council spokesman said: “We are satisfied the club has taken proportionate action to address the safety concerns raised by the Safety Advisory Group.

“The group will continue to monitor the situation on an on-going basis and work with the club to ensure spectator safety at their stadium.

“Spectator safety is ultimately the responsibility of the safety certificate holder.”

Celtic, in a hard-hitting letter to the fans, had said that the decision to close the Green Brigade area was taken "amid serious safety concerns and after discussion with the police" and follows the Hearts and Linfield matches.

The Green Brigade area was closed for Wednesday night's match against Rosenborg and will also be shut for the opening match of the season also against Hearts on August 5.

The club was forced to seek an extension to their stadium safety certificate to allow the Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg to go ahead.

The certificate for the ground expired on July 22 but was initially extended to the 31st of this month.

A letter from Celtic to fans explaining the closing of the Green Brigade area said: "The club has been working with the Safety Advisory Group towards a solution for this season, but the events at the match [against Linfield] on Wednesday night, where there were further serious safety issues within the Green Brigade section, require the club to take immediate action to comply with its responsibilities under the applicable legislation."

Some fans took to social media to mourn the loss of the Green Brigade at the Rosenborg game which ended 0-0, referring to a lack of atmosphere in the stadium.