Terraces are returning to top-flight football after Celtic began work on construction of a “safe standing” area at its Parkhead stadium in Glasgow yesterday.
The club was given permission last summer to introduce the new 3,000 capacity section through the installation of a rail seating system. Work to clear the existing seats got underway in May.
The safe standing area will be the first new terracing constructed at a premier league football ground in England or Scotland since the 1989 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster, which recommended a move to all-seater stadia.
The rail seating system is used commonly in Germany and Austria to meet fans’ demand for standing sections. They can be used for seating to meet requirements of European tournaments, but can be folded away for domestic matches allowing each fan to stand in their own designated space behind a waist-high rail.
Seats can be folded away to allow fans to stand
A statement from Celtic said: “This is a system which has operated successfully in Europe for a number of years and we are convinced it is one which will prove to be highly successful and popular at Celtic Park.
“Celtic has been at the forefront of attempts in the UK to introduce this measure, having been in dialogue with the relevant authorities for over five years.
“The introduction of rail seating at Celtic Park represents an investment in spectator safety. Across football globally, the reality is that some supporters are choosing to stand at matches.”
Celtic said that work will continue throughout the summer months to complete the safe standing section ahead of the start of the 2016/17 season.
