Celtic will not be giving rivals Rangers a guard of honour in this Sunday's Old Firm.
Rangers were crowned Scottish champions for the first time since 2011 a couple of weeks back after Celtic failed to beat Dundee United away from home.
It ended Celtic's domestic dominance of nine straight league titles and there has been a lot of talk as to whether the Hoops would clap the champions upon their entry to the Parkhead pitch.
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And it's now been confirmed by Celtic interim manager John Kennedy that there will be no guard of honour.
Kennedy told Sky Sports: "It is something that we have discussed. It is a subject that has been brought up and I have seen several people talking about it.
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"It was the same two years ago when we were champions and if I am being honest, I don't think such a fuss was being made about it. I don't see it as a big issue.
For us, we spoke collectively about it and we won't do it. It is not about lacking class, nothing like that, because we are a club that always shows class and dignity and do what is right.
"But ultimately this same group of players went in as champions and didn't get the respect that time if you want to call it that.
"They are the same players who are being asked to stand there. We have decided collectively as a group. We will just get on with the game, park that, so we will focus fully on the game and just put that to bed."
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Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, a two-time SPFL champion in Glasgow, encouraged the club to show "humility" and "class - highlighting Sir Alex Ferguson instructing his Manchester United players to carry out the tradition when Jose Mourinho's Chelsea came to Old Trafford many years ago.
Former Celtic defender Gary Caldwell was also in favour of his former team and felt they should "show Rangers the respect".
However, in 2019, when Celtic had wrapped up the league prior to a trip to Ibrox, Rangers did not partake in a guard of honour.
Neil Lennon, manager at the time, was not happy with the decision and said his team would have applauded if the roles had been reversed.
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"It's a break from tradition," Lennon said two years ago after Rangers snubbed the guard of honour.
"I think we would have done it if the shoe had been on the other foot. But it's not a major issue.
"It would have been a touch of class if they did it. I'm disappointed they are not. Celtic would have done it."
In the Premier League last year, Manchester City gave champions Liverpool a guard of honour at the Etihad Stadium after Jurgen Klopp's team won the title days earlier.
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But City midfielder Bernardo Silva became the talk of the town after showing a blatant lack of enthusiasm for the applause.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Celtic, Football, Rangers
