CELTIC fans have turned up the heat on SPL chairmen after calling for a boycott of clubs who vote to allow a Rangers newco into the top flight.
Away matches will be shunned if members of the Celtic Supporters Association – the club’s biggest fan group – vote for the proposal at an emergency meeting on Sunday.
A statement issued by the fans’ group last night said: “This has been a very emotive issue for all supporters in Scotland.
“We have to decide if integrity should take precedence over commercial interest. In the opinion of those supporters canvassed by us up until now that is the case.
“We understand the need for chairmen to balance their books but that must be done by operating in an honest and fair market.
“One or more clubs can’t be allowed to operate with an unfair advantage.
“We are calling on all chairmen and CEO’s in the SPL to vote for honesty and integrity.
“A clear and appropriate punishment must be imposed on any club who fails to operate in that manner, irrespective of which particular club that happens to be.
“The Celtic supporters contribute a considerable percentage of the finances generated within Scottish football.
“We will not continue to support clubs who put their own interests before the basic principles of sporting integrity.”
The Celtic fans’ ultimatum means SPL chairmen are now between a rock and a hard place when they meet at Hampden on July 4 to vote on what should happen to the newco Rangers.
If they let the newco in the Celtic fans revolt. If they don’t let Rangers in the outcome could be the Ibrox side, and their fans, being lost to the SPL for three years while the club goes back to the Third Division and starts again.