Celtic fans have debated the Green Brigade’s newly-announced boycott of some Celtic matches.

The fan group have confirmed that they will not attend any matches in the Scottish Cup, nor any home ties in the Europa League, until ‘adequate’ progress is made towards the club improving conditions.

A statement cited “Police collusion, vendettas against representatives, strangling the standing section, unworkable tifo restrictions, the constant threat of unilateral bans and refusal to meaningfully engage” as making it impossible for the group to function.

Of course, the GB also missed a significant chunk of last season due to a ban imposed by the club after an incident at a home match against Falkirk. So what do Hoops fans on TalkingPoints make of the latest rift in a fractured relationship?

Celtic fans on Green Brigade boycott: ‘Death by a thousand cuts’

One user feels that the 50-50 feel of the boycott creates a ‘Death by a thousand cuts’ situation where the status quo remains until we reach the ‘end game’ of a full boycott.

Under the present conditions of the boycott, the GB will still be present at the majority of home games. Parkhead chiefs may view the present situation as workable enough to continue without changing anything.

If this turns out to be the case, the group will remain equally unhappy without moving the dial on their communication with the hierarchy. No one benefits from this.

The user agrees, saying that the boycott will inflict pain on the club and help their opponents. Especially in the Europa League, the absence of a fully unified home atmosphere will completely change the experience for visiting sides.

The 2020-21 season played behind closed doors also exemplifies the importance of the home crowd. Many things went wrong during that campaign — but Neil Lennon and several players have since cited the lack of atmosphere as a decisive factor.

Another user has added how Celtic simply don’t win without their fans. The team already face an uphill battle in Europe, and the added factor of an absent crowd could be the difference between qualification and not.

Celta Vigo fans have voiced their unhappiness at the boycott, despite the fact that it is likely to help their team in theory. Many felt disappointed that travelling fans won’t get the full Parkhead experience.

The group’s reasons for the boycott seem both public and private. We don’t know the details of their conversations with the club, nor do we have access to the evidence used by the club to ban individual members. In that sense, the dispute is simply the word of one entity up against another.

For some fans, however, the Green Brigade are falling short of their duty as supporters. One particularly scathing TalkingPoints user has ordered the group to “get a grip”.

They described the group as “spoiled kids” who think they run the club themselves, claiming that fans not attending matches should give other supporters a chance of having a season ticket.

Of course, no fans have been more consistent than the Green Brigade in attending matches since their formation 20 years ago. Many members travel to every away match in Europe, spending significant portions of their income every year whilst also spending time making banners, running charity events and supporting various causes.

As is often the case in two-way disputes, the solution lies somewhere between the uncompromising stances of the GB and the club’s hierarchy.