THE Green Brigade returned to Celtic Park – after a three-match absence with another less controversial banner display, which has received the approval of an Irish sporting superstar.
The Hoops' hardcore fans group were banned for home matches against Rosenburg and Hearts - following a Champions League clash with Linfield in which fans unfurled a controversial ‘paramilitary’ display.
But for tonight's Champions League qualifier match with Astana, the group appeared to be keeping away from any controversial displays.
Instead there was a motif inspired by UFC superstar Conor McGregor who takes on boxing legend Floyd Mayweather next weekend saying: "We're not here to take part. We're here to take over!"
It was an echo of the words of the Irishman who defeated Diego Brandao in 2014.
What inspired the banner
Then he said: “We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over!”.
McGregor has retweeted pictures of the display to his 5.24 million followers.
Celtic FC's Green Brigade section with a display of @TheNotoriousMMA's famous quote before their game tonight. #MayweatherMcGregor pic.twitter.com/ezBUW34EQ4
— UNDISPUTED MMA (@undisputedmma_) August 16, 2017
Celtic have announced they were to close the "Green Brigade section" of their stadium for the next two matches at the end of July after "serious incidents of unsafe behaviour" in the match against Hearts on May 27 and the Champions League qualifier against Linfield.
The announcement comes a day after Celtic were hit with UEFA disciplinary charges over an alleged ''illicit banner'' and "blocked stairways" during their Champions League victory over Linfield last month. The pro-IRA display led to a £20,500 Uefa fine for the Scottish champions.
@celticfc welcome back #greenbrigade pic.twitter.com/ZJncx3R382
— markybhoy73 (@leeds_doggie) August 16, 2017
The ban affected 900 season-ticket holders in the safe-standing section of the stadium which houses the Green Brigade ultras group.
The club expressed their frustration over a pyrotechnic display during the final game of last season against Hearts.
A letter from Celtic to fans explaining the closing of the Green Brigade area said 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.
Welcome back the Green Brigade pic.twitter.com/Omo11vb4kq
— DC (@DOOGZ1888) August 16, 2017
But it later emerged that at 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.
McGregor's retweet.
On Twitter, there was some light-hearted satire about the new banner.
Green Brigade clearly in violation of trademark infringement 😋@UEFA pic.twitter.com/DHjnhUwy2i
— Celts7AreHere (@CeltsAreHere) August 16, 2017
McGregor's entrance song has been Foggy Dew - a nationalist anthem about the Easter Uprising of 1916 that began the end of British rule in southern Ireland.
The lyrics refer to "Britannia's Huns" which is sometimes toned down to "Britannia's sons".
The song, written by Father Charles O’Neill, chronicles the Easter Uprising of 1916, and encourages Irishmen to fight for the cause of Ireland, rather than for the British, as so many young men were doing in World War I.
Two years ago McGregor launched into a Facebook rant in a row over whether he should wear a poppy.
A fan accused McGregor of 'selling out the Irish people' with a picture of the fighter wearing a poppy, the traditional symbol of remembrance.
But the Irishman hit back, saying he didn't need 'a stupid little flower' to justify his beliefs and ending 'f*** you and the Queen'.
McGregor insisted that he wears the poppy to commemorate 'All soldiers' and 'All wars'.
Celtic Football Club STAND UP!!!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 17, 2017
This is what die hard support from your fans looks like!
What a sight! What a team!
Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/txU38gCogI
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