The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Brown fears injury if fans continue to throw missiles
Captain expresses concern over growing issue at away games
Captain Scott Brown has warned of potential injuries to Celtic players from fans throwing missiles at away games.
The midfielder made light of objects launched during the 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park on Wednesday night which extended the Hoops unbeaten domestic run to 66 games by saying: “I made a pound again, I’m getting good at this game.”
However, the Scotland skipper was serious about what he says is a growing issue when the Ladbrokes Premier League leaders are on their travels.
Brown had previously spoken about missiles thrown during the game against Rangers at Ibrox last April and against Linfield in Belfast in July, and believes someone in green and white will eventually get hurt.
He said: “There is a lot of talk about decisions but people are getting hit with coins and stuff thrown at them pretty much every week just because we are doing so well in the league and the away fans don’t like that.
“We’ve understood it’s part and parcel of when you go away. Leigh Griffiths is hitting corners, he’s getting things thrown at him.
“You go and take a corner and you have to look over your shoulder to see what’s coming. Fans can shout and sing whatever they want but they can’t be throwing things, it’s not showing a great example, is it?
“It is happening more and more. “Eventually someone will get hit in the head and until that happens probably nobody will do anything.”
Manager Brendan Rodgers, who confirmed winger Patrick Roberts will miss next week’s Champions League home clash with Anderlecht with a recurrence of a hamstring injury, said: “If it is happening it is not something we would like to see or witness.”
Motherwell have vowed to investigate missile-throwing incidents from their own fans against Celtic – but also stated they would probe “numerous” acts of vandalism in the away stand.
A Motherwell statement read: “As we do at every match at Fir Park, if any incidents are reported to us, we will fully investigate them.
“In addition, we will work with Celtic Football Club to fully investigate, amongst other things, the numerous acts of vandalism, including 206 broken seats, damaged toilets and graffiti in the McEwan Fraser Legal South Stand.”