CELTIC fans yesterday invoked the spirit of Jock Stein as the club faced yet another UEFA sanction over a pro-Bobby Sands banner at Tuesday’s Champions League game.

European football bosses have opened disciplinary proceedings over the display of the banner at the match with AC Milan.

Stein, the club’s most successful manager, left the dugout and went into the terracing at Stirling Albion’s Annfield ground to put a stop to sectarian chanting in 1972.

He said later: “Surely there are enough Celtic songs without introducing religion or politics or anything else?”

Tuesday’s banner showed Irish Republican hunger striker Sands, alongside a banner depicting William Wallace.

Celtic’s chief executive Peter Lawwell has accused fans involved – known as the Green Brigade – of showing “clear disrespect” and warned that they can expect to be banned.

He added: “There have now been a number of UEFA charges made against the club during the last three years relating to behaviour, displays and pyrotechnics. It cannot go on any further.”

This type of behaviour by a minority of Celtic fans will perhaps finally close the door on any chance they have of entering the English leagues alongside their bitter rivals Rangers who can also say goodbye to any invitation to play down south due to past demeanours.