BRENDAN Rodgers has slammed pyro yobs who have left Celtic facing a possible Euro fan ban following a night of shame in Birmingham.
The Hoops boss hit out as thousands of innocent fans also face punishment by being locked out of the club’s Champions League glamour away play-off against Bayern Munich.
Uefa chiefs are weighing up the sanction after a fan lobbed a green flare on to the pitch during Celtic’s 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Supporters have already been snapping up flights to Germany for the February 18 game against the Bundesliga giants — despite warnings from Parkhead chiefs not to arrange travel until their fate is decided.
The storm comes after Hoops fans were slammed for glorifying IRA terror by singing about 1974 pub bombings in the English city prior to the Villa game.
Furious manager Rodgers last night insisted the pyro madness has to stop — as it is damaging the club’s coffers and reputation.
He admitted: “I just find it hard to fathom. I make the difference between a genuine Celtic supporter and someone who’s there for a different reason.
“It has to change. The club can’t keep paying hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of fines. To be in that position, where it’s in the balance whether you’re going to be able to go and watch your team, I can understand the frustration.
“We have a chance to change it, because it’s not acceptable.
“And I hope it does, for the sake of the genuine Celtic support.
“Our supporters are amazing. And we certainly don’t want them missing out in prestigious games, or any game for that matter, because of behaviour.”
Shocking pictures showed a fan hurling a flare on to the Villa Park pitch following Hoops star Adam Idah’s goal in the 36th minute of Wednesday night’s match. Plumes rose up behind Celtic left-back Greg Taylor before a Villa steward swooped to remove the flare.
Fans were also blasted for chanting about the late Queen’s death during the game in front of Villa supporter Prince William.
Some unfurled a banner in support of Michael Fagan, who broke into Her Majesty’s bedroom at Buckingham Palace in 1982.
And video footage showed yobs swaggering along a Birmingham street shouting support for IRA killers hours before the game. Uefa are set to decide on a lock-out next week.
They previously handed Hoops fans a suspended ban over pyro use during Celtic’s 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in October.
And Rodgers admitted the latest incident was part of a “catalogue” — as his club also face SPFL charges along with Rangers and Motherwell over pyro misuse at November’s Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.
He pleaded with Uefa not to deny fans a repeat of scenes in October 2017 when they partied in Munich ahead of a Champions League group-stage match.
Rodgers said: “I’m hoping and praying this doesn’t get taken away from the supporters. I’d be bitterly disappointed for every genuine Celtic supporter if it happened.
“The club will always fight for our supporters but it’s been a catalogue of events, it’s not just that one [at Villa Park].
“For those supporters that genuinely bond with their club and have travelled near and far, to be at the risk of not going, tells you the culmination of events that have taken us to that point.
How Celtic stars rated
By DAVID FRIEL
Kasper Schmeichel: No chance with Villa’s first and third goals, and deflection beat him for the second. Produced a trio of massive saves in the second half before last-gasp goal. 7
Alistair Johnston: Caught out for Villa’s quickfire opener but made a crucial clearance off the line at 2-0. Decent interceptions after the break amid waves of attacks from hosts. 6
Auston Trusty: Ended up far too deep at Villa’s third and then gave away a soft penalty after tangling with Watkins. Asked to defend one v one constantly in a tough test. 5
Liam Scales: Irishman replaced the crocked Cameron Carter-Vickers and settled after the crazy opening. Produced some good blocks but struggled with Villa’s movement as they created a string of chances. 5
Greg Taylor: Terrific run and cross for Celtic’s first goal but tough shift defensively. Missed Daizen Maeda’s work and running power ahead of him but tried to help Yang. 6
Callum McGregor: Tough opening like the rest of the Celtic team but grew into the game and was influential as they levelled. Tried to lift them again at 3-2 but to no avail. 7
Reo Hatate: Fluffed a great chance in poor start but the little midfielder was then heavily involved in Adam Idah’s two goals and almost made it 3-3 with a curler. 7
Arne Engels: Sublime flick in the build-up to Idah’s second goal. The Belgian youngster put himself about in a good battle with compatriot Youri Tielemans before being subbed. 6
Nicolas Kuhn: Pace unsettled Lucas Digne early on and he flashed a decent effort wide. Always available, positive on the ball and did a defensive shift too. 7
Adam Idah: Huge chance to shine after Kyogo Furuhashi’s exit and he grabbed it with two terrific strikes. Big man led the line well before tiring and being forced off. 8
Yang Hyun-jun: South Korean winger replaced the banned Maeda and looked lost at times. Had a role in Celtic’s first goal and worked hard but not at the level required. 5
SUBS
PAULO BERNARDO (3) on for the last 20 for the tiring Engels. LUIS PALMA (3) about to sign for Olympiacos but replaced Yang. DANIEL CUMMINGS (3) kid striker came on for a memorable debut. LUKE McCOWAN (2) replaced Hatate late. DANE MURRAY (2) young stopper was at fault for Villa’s fourth.
“It’s not decided yet but it’s serious enough for the club to have put the statement out.”
It means Celtic could face Bayern’s superstar side including England striker Harry Kane and 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the Champions League play-off round without the backing of fans.
Rodgers said: “We would never want to get to a point where we go into a game of such magnitude as the Bayern one and can’t take our support base.”
And he warned: “Celtic is what they are because of their supporters, those genuine supporters who have that bond with the club.
“We aren’t a club that has money pouring in from all angles, sponsorship and TV and everything else. For me, our support base is absolutely incredible.
“What we give to the game, the atmosphere that we create.
“I really hope that we don’t get this sanction brought upon us.”
Fans joined treble-winning boss Rodgers in condemning troublemakers.
One furious supporter on the Kerrydale Street forum warned: “We have some in our support who will just not take a telling.
“Whether it be songs, smoke bombs or pyro they have to get their little kick no matter what without thinking of consequences. Possibly no fans at out next away game, so one stupid action has ruined it for everyone else.
“Hope he is happy with himself.”
Another Celtic diehard posted: “The person who threw the smoke bomb on the pitch is a special kind of stupid.”
Other fans were snapping up flights to Germany despite uncertainty over next month’s game arrangements.
Return flights with EasyJet were available for £301 on Friday,
But by 11am, following the Champions League draw, the ‘sold out’ sign went up on the airline’s website for the outward flight and return on February 20.
In a statement, club bosses confirmed: “Unfortunately, the club has received a further disciplinary notice from Uefa following the match against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.
“The club will obviously make robust representations to Uefa and will make every effort to ensure fans can attend our next Champions League match.
“However, clearly there is a risk that supporters may not be able to attend. In light of this situation, it is incumbent on the club to make supporters aware of this risk, when considering making arrangements for travel, until further information is provided by Uefa.”
We told how fights broke out as Celtic fans who had blagged tickets in the home end appeared to be targeted by fuming Villa supporters.
Last night, West Midlands Police confirmed: “We made 21 arrests overall, with 19 being Celtic fans.
“The arrests varied from violent disorder, assaults, possession of Class A drugs, throwing pyrotechnics onto the pitch and having fraudulent tickets.”
Celtic have previously barred the Green Brigade from Parkhead over their behaviour at high-profile matches.
The club locked the ultras out of a Champions League tie against Norwegian side Rosenborg in 2017 over a pro-IRA banner and a stairway being blocked at an earlier European game against Northern Irish side Linfield.
The club was hit with a £20,500 fine by Uefa, taking their penalties tally to £160,000 over six years at the time.
Boss Brendan Rodgers said then: “Celtic is not a political arena for any supporters to come into and display any sort of political element.”
Celtic again closed the Green Brigade section in 2019 when they faced French side Rennes in the Europa League.
That was after a Uefa rap for travelling fans setting off fireworks in a 2-1 win over Lazio in Rome.
Green Brigade fans also had a banner depicting the hanging death of Italy’s fascist wartime dictator Benito Mussolini, saying: “Follow your leader.”
It was Celtic’s 20th Uefa charge in 12 years at the time, costing the club £420,000 in fines since 2007.
Emphasising its safety responsibilities, chiefs said then: “We need to tackle any behaviour which can compromise the safety of our supporters including the use of pyrotechnics, overcrowding and offensive chanting or banners.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page