Brian Wilson’s Friday Night ‘Good Faith’ Unity Update

Brian Wilson, Celtic’s interim chairman, has released an update via the official Celtic FC website, following the fan protest that distributed the early stages of Celtic’s Europa League play-off defeat to VfB Stuttgart last night at Celtic Park…

Celtic v VFB Stuttgart at Celtic Park during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Here’s what the interim Chairman has had to say this evening…

“Last night was deeply disappointing for the Club in many respects. This started with an orchestrated disruption of the game, causing a delay to an important match.

“Over the past two weeks, I have met with a range of supporters groups and individual supporters.

Fan protest at Celtic v VFB Stuttgart at Celtic Park during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

“I have met in good faith with representatives of the Green Brigade and was hopeful that progress could have been made; indeed this remains the case.

“I also met in good faith with representatives of the Celtic Fans Collective.

“When I came into this role, I asked for unity inside the stadium to support the team while trying to resolve other issues. I want to see suspensions lifted and differences set aside, but this cannot be unconditional. Last night’s disruption and the reasoning behind it illustrate the difficulty we face and have repeatedly had to contend with.

“This is not intended to deflect from other issues that affect the club and are fully recognised. However, the possibility of further disruptions needs to be addressed urgently. Surely the priority must be to give Martin and our players every opportunity to achieve their objectives within the remainder of the season.

“On that basis, I will continue to seek an end to this debilitating and unnecessary atmosphere of conflict.”

Brian Wilson mentions having had meetings with both the Green Brigade and The Celtic Fans Collective and we can provide updates from their perspectives for you to compare.

Starting with the Green Brigade – who were NOT involved in last night’s protest, nor were the other Ultras group Bhoys Celtic – they had this to say via their North Curve Celtic x account…

Our Dear Green Place tifo by the Green Brigade, September 2024. Photo IMAGO

‘Despite recent platitudes of “unity” from the club, last night marked the 24th match that 250 Celtic fans have been banned for – following no fair process nor logic and with seemingly no end in sight. Last night, even the away fans highlighted this – alongside other Celtic fans.”

And the Celtic Fans Collective issued their members the following update on their meeting with Brian Wilson on Wednesday afternoon, with the full minutes to follow next week.

On Wednesday, representatives of the Celtic Fans Collective met with the Club’s Interim Chair and some senior officials to follow up on October discussions and address current supporter concerns. We have detailed a summary of the meeting below, and full minutes will be published as soon as possible.

Key Areas Discussed

Governance & Leadership

* Concerns were raised regarding recent executive decisions, recruitment outcomes, and wider supporter confidence.

* The Interim Chair confirmed he does not hold unilateral authority and that responsibility rests collectively with the Board.

* Recruitment processes are under review.

* Governance and Board refresh discussions are ongoing.

* No commitments were made regarding executive change or specific timelines.

Celtic supporters singing YNWA ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Supporter Engagement

* The absence of a formal, structured engagement mechanism was highlighted.

* ⁠The Collective stressed that any new structure must be representative, democratic and enduring.

* It was agreed that the Club will return within one month with draft proposals for a supporter engagement model, which would then form the basis of a formal consultation process.

* No specific model or implementation timetable was agreed.

Green Brigade at Livingston Photo: Andrew Milligan

Green Brigade

* The Collective raised concerns regarding the ongoing exclusion and its impact on atmosphere and supporter sentiment.

* The Club confirmed dialogue is ongoing and expressed a willingness to resolve matters, subject to conditions.

* No timeframe for resolution was provided.

Fan Media & Communications

* Concerns were raised about the removal of fan media access and recent public communications.

* The Club stated that its communications strategy is under review.

* They informed us that they were not aware who made the decision to remove fan media access.

* No commitments were made regarding reinstatement of access or immediate changes to approach.

Agreed Outcomes

* A further meeting within one month to update on supporter engagement consultation.

* Continued dialogue on the Green Brigade situation.

* Ongoing internal reviews of recruitment processes and governance structures.

The Club stated that they acknowledged the strength of supporter feeling and the seriousness of the current situation. While no immediate structural changes were agreed, dialogue will continue and the Collective will report further following the next meeting. Meeting minutes have been drafted and are pending agreement with the club.

Summary

Celtic Director Brian Wilson with CEO Michael Nicholson at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

So perspective on where we are at the moment in the illusive search for Celtic unity, something that exists in spades at both Ibrox and Tynecastle as they look to exploit the Celtic infighting. Celtic supporters are becoming increasingly divided with actions like last night’s causing particular disharmony. That action was done, as we understand it, by various supporters buses who all agreed to participate. It was NOT done by the ultra groups who did organise the previous similar event up at Dundee.

A message from the Green Brigade corner for Brian Wilson. Photo social media

It might be helpful if Brian Wilson can outline his actual conditions for the bans, which is obviously more directed at the Green Brigade than the fan media, with the surprising revelation that they don’t even know who it was that issued the ban while we have no idea what ‘offences’ we are supposed to have committed, with the word we heard earlier in the week it was Boardroom offence taken by something a couple of podcasters had been saying back in the autumn.

Brian Wilson, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

That has zero to do with The Celtic Star and it is our belief that it has all been about censorship, from a board looking at shifting the then Celtic manager out of the building.

Lift the bans. Get the Green Brigade back for Sunday for heaven’s sake…

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order