CELTIC supporters group, The Green Brigade, have hit back at the club after the removal of a Palestinian flag display in Celtic Park. 

The club removed the flags from the stand - which saw the banners placed on rows of seating in the stadium in support of the current situation in the Middle East - after condemning the display. 

Fans had been permitted into the stadium to make their tributes to captain Scott Brown, who will play his last game as a Celtic player this weekend, with banners and posters to mark the occasion. 

Celtic claim that the Green Brigade had "attempted to exploit this opportunity" of being let into the stadium, and that access had been given "in good faith".

The group has now hit back at the statement, saying in a social media post: "This morning the Green Brigade set up two small tributes for two issues close to the hearts of Celtic supporters. 

"First, we paid tribute to departing Celtic captain, Scott Brown. Unable to give Scot the send-off he deserves tonight, we left a banner to mark his final match at Celtic Park.

"The 'Brown 8' banner not only honours Brown but reflects a special, charity, tribute t-shirt being sold by North Curve Celtic, with proceeds supporting the Hospital for Children, Glasgow. Around £7,000 has been raised to date. 

"Second, we displayed a legitimate flag which has been proudly flown by Celtic fans for generations. 

"We are disappointed, though sadly not surprised, that the flag of Palestine causes distress for Celtic plc. While we view flying the Palestinian flag as an act of humanity and solidarity, the removal and censorship of the flag demonstrates how far our current board have strayed from the values of Celtic Football Club.

"To remain neutral on hideous and violent acts of oppression is to side with the oppressor, which is an affront to the founding ethos of our club.

"Finally, we left a banner in tribute to our friend and Celtic supporter Salah Ajarma, who tragically died last month. A frequent visitor to Glasgow and Celtic Park, Salah met Scott Brown in 2012 when he brought a group of Palestinian refugees, and their flags, to Celtic Park. 

"The Celtic plc statement was deliberately misleading and crass. Its absence from any social media platform proves the cowardice of those responsible for it. We are confident that the Celtic support will continue to stand with the people of Palestine. 

The Green Brigade also encouraged fans to join in with local demonstrations in support of Palestine this weekend.