Rodgers urges Hoops fans to end pyro displays ahead of potential away trip ban

Brendan Rodgers has urged Celtic fans to leave the fireworks at home and insisted “we don’t need pyrotechnics to have a great support”.

Earlier this week the Hoops were handed a £16,500 fine and a suspended ban from selling away tickets for one European match that will come into force if they breach UEFA rules again over the next two seasons.

It came as a result of the devices being set off in the away end during their Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.

The manager has now hit out at “minority” of their travelling support and warned them “it will be on you” if they are banned from taking fans to any future games, that include the trip to Aston Villa early next year.

Rodgers also said it would be unfair on the fans who follow the club everywhere if they weren’t allowed to travel over the actions of others.

When asked if he hoped the recent sanctions would bring an end to the pyrotechnic displays, Rodgers said: “I’d really hope so, we don’t need the pyrotechnics to have a great support, the support we get at home and away is absolutely incredible.

“And we can’t let that type of behaviour dictate whether it puts fans in a position where they are unable to attend a game, because that’s not fair and not right.

“There are people that have followed Celtic home and away for years and years and they should never be getting banned.

“The support is incredible and we are not a club that needs that to ignite our support base, what we bring to a stadium in colour and noise is absolutely amazing.

“So I hope that this does end that, because it just wouldn’t be right for our supporters to have to miss a game.

“Whenever that would be, we can’t afford for that to happen and if it does, then it is totally on a minority of our support, it’s as simple as that.

“Our support is brilliant wherever it travels to, and what it gives us, and the players that come here because of our support, so we just need to make sure we draw a line under that and just come with the banners and the noise and the colour and that will always give us a great chance on the field.”

In a message to supporters considering using pyrotechnics again in the upcoming games, Rodgers said: “If you do keep doing it, you’re showing that you don’t really care. You don’t really care for the team. You don’t care for the support and you don’t care for your club because the club ultimately are getting fined as well.

“So if you keep doing it, you’re clearly showing that you’re actually not really worried about your own club, you’re worried about yourself. So it doesn’t need it.

“And if you need to do it, then do it outside the stadium, but don’t do it inside where you’re going to cause a risk to other people, other supporters, risk yourself not being there and obviously the team ultimately.

“When I see the flares, I’m always worried about the people behind, what’s happening with them. And if you’re a young child at a game and the smoke and everything that comes off that, I’m not sure it’s a great, enjoyable experience.”