Celtic fans now allowed flags after police U-turn

Celtic fans will now be able to take flags and banners to the club’s Boxing Day game at St Johnstone following a U-turn by the home club and the police, according to the Scottish champions.

St Johnstone had announced a ban in a bid to prevent flags being used as a shield to let off smoke bombs and flares, which is a criminal offence in Scottish grounds. Celtic’s most recent league away trip, against Motherwell, saw a number of pyrotechnics let off among away fans and two smoke bombs thrown on to the pitch.