Celtic were forced to curtail plans to commemorate Remembrance Day after a section of their supporters booed during the planned minute’s silence on Remembrance Sunday.
The Bhoys hosted Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday – with Liam Scales’ goal proving the difference in a 1-0 win.
However, ahead of kick-off at Parkhead, the annual tribute to the armed forces and their families was overshadowed by some fans’ loud jeers.
As the players from both teams gathered around the centre-circle, an announcement on the public address system said: ‘We will have a minute’s silence today on Remembrance Sunday to remember all victims of all conflicts. We remember, in particular, the men who served Celtic football club and lost their lives at wartime.’
The audible disdain resulted in referee John Beaton being forced to cut the silence after just 13 seconds.
The noise was so palpable that the Celtic TV broadcast turned down the volume to try and minimise its impact too.
The minute’s silence ahead of Celtic versus Kilmarnock was cut short due to some fans booing
Celtic TV turned down the volume to try and minimise the jeers during the curtailed silence
Referee John Beaton (right) cut the minute’s silence after 13 seconds as a result of the booing
Furthermore, the lower tier of the standing section was empty until the Green Brigade and other fans started to file in from the concourse when referee Beaton’s whistle signalled the end of the tribute.
Football clubs across the United Kingdom observe a minute’s silence with their nearest home fixture around Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day – with the latter on November 11.
Many teams also wear poppies, something Kilmarnock wore on their strip, but Celtic didn’t.
Some Celtic supporters refuse to partake in the tradition or actively take a stance against it, often citing the club’s Irish roots and linking it to the British Army‘s role in The Troubles.
Last season, in a quirk, Celtic hosted Kilmarnock on Remembrance Sunday too – with that minute’s silence also cut short due to jeering. That time referee Don Robertson cut it short at 15 seconds.
As well as the booing in that match last term, some fans turned their back on the minute’s silence and also made gestures.
Sunday’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock sees Celtic regain their four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
It was under-pressure Martin O’Neill’s side’s first league win in their last three games.
Scales scored the only goal of the game on 26 minutes when he hooked a Camilo Duran cross into the top corner.
Celtic fans show their displeasure during the minute’s silence for Remembrance Day in 2025
Celtic – and Kasper Hogh in particular – otherwise had a frustrating day in front of goal, with Benjamin Nygren missing a second-half penalty.
Hogh had an early goal disallowed as his barren run without a goal hit the 16-game mark since he netted a hat-trick at Kilmarnock on his second appearance.
Celtic have 31 points from their opening 13 matches – four more than bitter rivals Rangers who sit second but have a game in hand.
Kilmarnock remain rooted to the bottom of the table with nine points from 13 games – two adrift of 11th-place Aberdeen who have played a match fewer.
READ: Forest Green apologise for failing to commemorate Remembrance Day at a home match due to ‘mistake’
