SAFETY FIRST

Euro tie put back but Bhoys could snub ticket allocation

CELTIC’S potential Champions League qualifier with Linfield in Belfast was last night put back until Friday, July 14, due to security concerns.

But Sportsmail understands the Scottish champions are poised to decline taking any tickets for the powderkeg fixture at Windsor Park in a bid to protect supporters.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are set to face the winners of the first-round tie between the Northern Irish champions and unfancied San Marino minnows La Fiorita.

However, the initial first-leg dates set aside by UEFA of July 11 and 12 sparked fears because Celtic fans would have been heading to the Belfast ground at the height of the Orange Order marching season.

Yesterday, Celtic’s head of security Ronnie Hawthorn attended a meeting in Northern Ireland with Linfield officials, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Police Scotland. All parties were content to agree to a 5pm kick-off on July 14 after the dates of July 11, 12 and 13 were ruled out.

However, Hawthorn then flew back to Glasgow to discuss with board members whether to accept their 4,000 ticket

allocation for the 18,000capacity ground. Last night, Celtic’s official supporter liaison officer, John Paul Taylor, warned fans on Twitter that the club ‘may decide not to take tickets for the game’. He advised fans to delay making travel arrangements until after the club had clarified the situation in a statement due this morning. There were calls for Celtic to play the first leg at home but Linfield feared a heavy defeat in Glasgow would render the return a dead rubber and wipe out an anticipated £1million windfall from the tie through gate receipts, merchandising and UEFA prize money. With the clubs facing each other for the first time, there is also expected to be additional TV money. Three stations, including BT Sport and Sky, are believed to be bidding for coverage. Linfield, who have a close affiliation with Rangers, are understood to be ‘delighted’ with how Celtic have worked with them on the delicate rearrangement of the fixture. Linfield chairman Roy McGivern said: ‘I am pleased both clubs have worked together to reach an amicable solution and we are hosting the first leg in Belfast as drawn.’ Meanwhile, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has warned the part-timers of Linfield that Rodgers will prepare his Treble winners for the clash as if they were taking on a Champions League finalist. He said: ‘Celtic will be strong favourites if that game does happen, but I firmly believe there will be no change in Brendan’s preparation. ‘Brendan will prepare for the game the same way he would if Celtic were playing Juventus or Real Madrid. ‘It’s only a possible game just now but the Celtic tie is a big carrot for Linfield to get past the San Marino side.’