Celtic have been granted permission by Glasgow City Council to introduce a safe standing area at Celtic Park.  The plan is to have a rail seating area which will initially accommodate 2,600 supporters and which will come into operation for the 2016/17 season.

Scotland is not bound by the law that banned standing areas in top-flight football in England.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said:  "Rail seating has been in place in European football for some time and there has been considerable demand for some form of safe standing within the UK and particularly from our supporters."

Celtic, who have been working on the plan for five years, will consult with their fans before any changes but are confident that it will prove popular.

Independent safety expert Dr Steve Frosdick told Celtic's website: "For the first time in the UK, football fans will be able to stand to watch the game from purpose-built accommodation which is demonstrably safe.  There was of course no question of going back to the standing terraces of old. However, the new style rail seating found in Germany and Austria provides the solution the club was seeking"

Photo credit: Phil Webster