CELTIC fans mocked the death of the Queen with a disgraceful banner ahead of today’s Scottish Premiership clash with St Mirren.
Yesterday, the Saints revealed that they would hold a minute’s applause in honour of Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the match at St Mirren Park.
The club urged fans to be respectful of the gesture, but a group of Celtic supporters were quick to disturb and continued to chant throughout.
Loud boos were heard amongst the applause and it was clear that many weren’t interested in paying their respects to the Queen, who passed away last Thursday.
They chanted “If you hate the royal family clap your hands” during the applause and when the match kicked off, as a banner telling other supporters to join in was seen in the Celtic crowd.
The incident sparked an apology from Sky as commentator Ian Crocker said: “Apologies if you were offended by anything you might have heard. Most showed respect, some did not.”
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Before the game, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou asked fans to show respect during the applause.
He said: “There’s a minute’s applause (on Sunday), we will abide by whatever obligations and responsibilities we have as a football club. We will do that in a respectful manner. We want our supporters to do the same.”
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson also urged crowds to respect the tribute.
He said: “I don’t make those decisions on how we show our respect. It’s hard enough picking a team.
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“But if that’s what it is – a minute’s applause – then obviously we will respect that as much as we can as well.
“I can only speak for myself and for St Mirren. As a football club we will show our utmost respect, I personally will show my utmost respect.
“You hope that people have that respect during the game because someone has died.
“No matter what your beliefs are, I think it’s important that society respects that.”
Celtic went on to lose the game 2-0, but Postecoglou’s side still sit at the top of the table.
Hoops fans displayed an anti-monarchy banner during the club’s midweek Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Some Dundee United and Hibernian fans were also guilty of singing a vile chant about The Queen during tributes.
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place tomorrow.
Two million mourners are expected to take to London for the historic event.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
