Celtic granted alcohol licence allowing stadium drinking at Parkhead ahead of Ross County clash

Celtic have announced the club has been granted an alcohol licence allowing drinking in Parkhead.

Fans will be able to enjoy a pint in the West Stand Concourse of the stadium ahead of the team’s clash with Ross County on Saturday.

For more than 40 years, since a riot at the Scottish Cup Final in 1980, the sale and availability of alcohol has been severely prohibited on football grounds.

Celtic said: “Ahead of today’s cinch Premiership match v Ross County, the Club are pleased to announce that a licence has been granted for the sale of alcohol in the West Stand Concourse from 11am until 1pm, with the area open for supporters looking to arrive early on matchday and enjoy the build-up to kick-off.

“Supporters visiting the West Stand concourse ahead of the match can enter via Gate WS57/58 to enjoy the facilities until 1pm.

“Thereafter the area will be cleared and supporters can re-enter the stadium via turnstiles as normal from 1.30pm ahead of kick-off (3pm).”

The Cinch Premiership leaders have no fresh injuries for the visit of Ross County.

Captain Callum McGregor remains out with a knee injury while fellow midfielder James McCarthy is missing with a hamstring problem.

The visitors will not get any of their injured players back for the trip to Glasgow.

Defender Jack Baldwin missed the midweek win over Hibernian after suffering a knock in the victory over St Mirren days earlier.

Ross Callachan (hamstring), Ben Paton (knee), Ben Purrington (ankle), Connor Randall (broken leg) and Alex Samuel (knee) are also still missing.