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Sir Rod Stewart told talkSPORT he was left ‘heartbroken and disgusted’ by the group of Celtic fans who hurled slurs and missiles at their own players, after the long string of successive national trophies des Hoops ended without dignity.
And the legendary rocker has also called on the under-fire manager Neil Lennon to stay at least the rest of the season, saying no other manager would ‘touch the job with a barge pole’ just yet.
Celtic’s nightmarish season continued as they crashed the Scottish League Cup at home against Ross County on Sunday.
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Celtic captain Scott Brown looks dejected as the champions were kicked out of the Scottish League Cup
The shock result came after back-to-back 4-1 Europa League defeats to Sparta Prague, and put additional pressure on manager Lennon, who faces calls to resign.
And a crowd of hundreds of angry fans turned on their team outside Celtic Park after the game, waiting outside for the players and coach to arrive before mocking, launching missiles. and try to break the fences to reach them.
Police officers were injured in the scuffle and Celtic issued a strongly worded statement condemning their behavior.
Disturbing footage of the scenes quickly emerged online, showing supporters clashing with Scottish authorities.
And longtime Celts fan Stewart said the scenes “ brought terrible shame ” to their club.
“I’m absolutely heartbroken, not only with yesterday’s result, but just across the board,” rock and roll legend told talkSPORT host Jim White.
“I’m heartbroken and disgusted. In all my years as a Celtic fan, I have never seen anything like it.
“Missiles launched at players is shameful; it makes the club so irresponsible and it’s a proud old club.
“I think it’s a small minority of the Green Brigade, but that’s unacceptable. They shamed the club.
“They do a lot when we are gone. We were fined over half a million pounds for Green Brigade activities with fireworks and the like – we could have bought another player for that!
“It’s not all, it’s a small minority. The Green Brigade brought a lot of color and atmosphere to Celtic Park, but they have to behave themselves.
“There is a small crowd that wants trouble; that’s what happened last night and it’s a shame, it really is.
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Ross County’s Alex Iacovitti celebrates 2-0 in League Cup clash with Celtic
Rangers legend Ally McCoist also spoke up and said the majority of ‘big and good Celtic fans’ would have gritted their teeth on the stages.
“They weren’t supporters, they were an absolute embarrassment to Celtic Football Club and the thousands of great and good Celtic fans around the world,” the former striker said on Monday’s talkSPORT Breakfast.
“They must have looked and absolutely cringe.
“I can’t believe in arrogance – who do they think they are ?!
“Celtic went to a national race where they’ve won ten or 11 trophies in a row, but they’re knocked out by one cup and they’re reacting like that ?!
“It’s absolutely embarrassing!”
As calls for Lennon to leave Celtic Park appear to be picking up steam, Stewart believes the club had better stay with the boss.
Angry fans have urged the club to sack Lennon and sign a replacement to save their hopes of winning ten straight titles, with Rangers currently 11 points clear atop the Scottish Premiership.
But, despite ties to former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe – and even Paulo Di Canio – Sir Rod says few top coaches would be interested in the job.
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Lennon appears to be on the verge of Celtic after his team’s latest disastrous result
“Unless someone was in line to take Lennon’s place, I don’t think anyone would touch a bargepole there,” he added.
“To take control of Celtic halfway through the season, 11 points behind Rangers, you have to be tough to do it. So I would let Lenny end the season.
“I think we owe him, I think he can turn things around again, more players need to come in.
“I’m just shocked. Shocked, shocked, shocked.
“I don’t think there is anyone who can take his place. I don’t think Eddie Howe would touch it, really not.
“I think if anyone wanted the job, they were in desperate need of the job. I don’t think we should have a foreign director. I think we have to have a Scotsman or a Briton, someone who understands what that ten in a row means for Celtic and Celtic supporters.
“I’m afraid there are a few players who don’t want to be there and don’t really understand what those ten in a row mean, and they don’t give 100%.
