CELTIC’S title heroes got their guard of honour as Hibs visited the East End of Glasgow today.
And there was even a show of respect from the Hibees for a GUIDE DOG as new player of the year Daizen Maeda walked out with the puppy as part of the Hoops’ tie-in with Guide Dog Scotland to celebrate inclusion and accessibility.
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It was a nice touch and it was also a lovely moment for a number of young fans as the Hoops used the match to reaffirm that “Football is for All” and are spotlighting the experiences of fans with disabilities.
The likes of Kasper Schmeichel and Liam Scales were accompanied by young fans in wheelchairs.
As for the presence of the pooch, Celtic mascot Hoopy the Huddle Hound had a bit of fun about it, covering his eyes as he mocked being unhappy about having to share the limelight with the pooch.
It all followed a saga in the run-up to last weekend’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox, where Rangers declined to give Celtic a guard of honour, much as Celtic themselves did the last time RANGERS won the title.
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Hibs stars wore black armbands in tribute to former owner Sir Tom Farmer, whose death at the age of 84 was announced just hours before the game.
Prior to the match, the Hoops said: “As the newly-crowned Scottish Premiership Champions return home for the first time since securing the title, the club will use this celebratory occasion to spotlight the experiences of fans with disabilities and demonstrate its ongoing commitment to removing any barriers – physical or sensory– that may prevent supporters from enjoying the match day experience.”
The Hoops, meanwhile, have handed the fan who mocked the Ibrox disaster at an Old Firm game an indefinite ban from Celtic Park.
Darren Malloch was filmed performing the sick gesture at the match on Sunday May 4.
A spokesperson for the club said: “We have investigated the matter.
“Clearly we condemn such conduct and the club has taken the appropriate action with regards to this individual.”
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We previously told how Malloch, a highly respected project manager for Advance Construction Scotland, was sacked from his high-flying job for his sick gesture.
