Outgoing Bankier must take on rogue fans once and for all

IAN BANKIER, one of the last survivors of The Men Who Blew The Ten, has just over three months left before stepping down as chairman of Celtic.

What better way, then, for him to improve his legacy than by taking on those North Curve ultras who have landed the club in the soup again over anti-monarchy banners at the Champions League match with Shakhtar Donetsk?

Whatever you think of the right to freedom of expression or politics as part of terracing culture, the reality is that the actions of these individuals are hurting the club. Celtic have a charge list as long as your arm with UEFA and the chance of really severe punishment — such as closed areas of the stadium — grows correspondingly.

Bankier has been a rather grey figure at Parkhead. This is his chance to depart in a blaze of glory rather than simply sliding off into the shadows.