Frank McAvennie has hit out at the Green Brigade’s decision to boycott Celtic’s Europa League clash with Celta Vigo on Thursday night.

The supporters’ group has announced plans to stay away from Celtic Park amid its ongoing dispute with the club’s hierarchy.

McAvennie is unhappy with the decision and has accused the Green Brigade of going against the very players they should be supporting.

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Frank McAvennie says Green Brigade boycott is going against Celtic team

The former Celtic striker wants a full stadium for the visit of Celta Vigo and cannot understand why supporters would choose to miss a European night.

McAvennie said: “I think it’ll be good. Listen, it’s Europe. This is what they play all year for. People forget about it. It’s, ‘We don’t need it.’ We do need it. That’s what players want, to play in Europe.

“Whoever gets out there on Thursday night is going to be up for it, I think. And the rest of the fans will be up for it if the Green Brigade go as well. I think it’s wrong that they’re doing it because it’s not the right way, because it’s going against the team.”

He also questioned the group’s decision to boycott a fixture when Celtic Park’s atmosphere has been such a big part of its reputation.

“Everyone keeps raving about it, and this Green Brigade keep talking about it, the best atmosphere in club football and all that. People rave about it. You can’t do that because it’s going against the team.”

McAvennie reckons there is a better way to make their feelings towards the board known: “Don’t spend anything, but go to the game. You’ve got your tickets. Back the team like they did at the weekend. There was none of this board. They got behind the team, we got seven goals, one against, and it was a great atmosphere.”

McAvennie insists Celtic Park doesn’t need Green Brigade to create atmosphere

Celtic’s 7-1 demolition of Hearts on Sunday has given the supporters renewed hope ahead of Thursday’s European clash.

McAvennie is convinced the rest of the Celtic support can create an intimidating atmosphere against Celta Vigo without the Green Brigade.

He said: “Celtic score early against Celta, it won’t matter whether the Green Brigade are there or not because the whole stadium will be on. I keep saying it, the Green Brigade are great for certain things, but Celtic were voted the best supporters in Europe for long, long before the Green Brigade.

“If they’re not there, the rest of the boys will start singing. But the team’s got to do it on the pitch.”

The Green Brigade have made it clear that their protest is aimed at the Celtic hierarchy, not the players. They believe staying away from matches is one way to put pressure on the board because all the other protests haven’t made a blind bit of difference.

McAvennie is entitled to disagree, but he’s missing the point. Protesting against the board isn’t the same as turning your back on Celtic.

Sunday’s 7-1 win over Hearts hasn’t suddenly resolved the issues between supporters and the club, and the Green Brigade are well within their rights to take a stand.