Fans should be allowed Linfield tickets – Boyd

TOM BOYD believes Celtic are entitled to take a travelling support to Belfast should Linfield be confirmed as the club’s opponents in the UEFA second round Champions League qualifier.

However, the former Celtic captain wants the authorities to guarantee the safety of fans going in and out of the city at a time when tensions traditionally run high.

It is believed the police will have the final say of when the game will be played with the legs of the tie being reversed suggested or a 5pm kick-off on possibly July 11 or even July 13.

The prospect of Celtic refusing tickets for the game has also been suggested but Boyd maintained it would be unfair to prevent supporters from turning out to see their team.

“The problem or issue would not be our supporters causing any trouble, it would be more likely about them being guaranteed safety,” he said.

“You would be denying supporters the right to go and see their team playing.

“Their team have been playing all over the world and the supporters have gone to back them. I think you would be just denying some of them an opportunity to see their team. There’s quite a few fans who stay over there and for some it would be a rare opportunity to see Celtic play.

“It’s a difficult one. But for that game I don’t see Celtic supporters causing trouble.

“I’m sure there’s been plenty of so-called powder-keg games before, certainly in Belfast.

“Is there not a Linfield- Cliftonville rivalry? And I don’t think tickets are refused for those games, are they?

“The main problem is the police are going to be otherwise disposed with certain other things at the time of the possible Celtic tie. Police numbers will be an issue.”

Boyd has watched with interest this summer as Rangers have confirmed nine new signings.

While Ibrox supporters are optimistic due to the number of arrivals, wholesale changes can take time to gel, as Boyd can testify after being a key part of Wim Jansen’s squad that stopped 10-in-a-row in 1998.

The Dutchman made five new signings before the season started and added further numbers as the campaign went on to revolutionise the club.

For Boyd, though, the key factor was the quality that arrived at Celtic.

“Wim changed a few players but it took a wee while though,” he said. “We lost our first two league games that season. But it did happen for us so it is possible.

“But it does seem a hell of a lot [of players that Rangers have signed]. And they need to be quality players.

“When Wim came here he bought a current Champions League winner in Paul Lambert. He brought in someone who went on to become a Celtic legend in Henrik Larsson, who was also a bargain.

“He brought in very good players in Craig Burley, Marc Rieper – international players.

“There was quality coming into the club.

“I don’t know anything about those [Rangers] players but we will see what happens.”