CELTIC have strongly criticised plans to ban parking within a mile of Parkhead on match days, saying it is neither "appropriate or workable".

The club said it has "serious concerns" about the Glasgow City Council plans and have assured fans that "we will be doing all we can to ensure the club’s voice is heard".

The council has also been in discussion with Rangers about banning parking on some streets around Ibrox on match days.

As with the plans for Ibrox, any new restrictions would come into force three hours before games and one hour after they have finished and would come in in August, the start of the 2017/2018 football season.

A Celtic spokesman said: "We believe this new range of parking restrictions would seriously disadvantage our supporters and we do not regard these proposals as appropriate or workable in the context of delivering major events at Celtic Park.

"As one of Europe’s major sporting institutions, which provides a huge economic benefit to the local economy of Glasgow and the east end of the City, we consider it essential that our supporters’ concerns are addressed.

Glasgow Times:

The green border marks out the event day parking zone 

"Celtic Park is one of Europe’s largest football stadia and plays host to major events, attended by huge numbers of people and profiling the city worldwide - it is essential too, therefore, that the needs of our supporters, the people who participate in creating these events, are also considered."

The club said the issue brought into focus the "inadequacy" of local public transport.

"For some time, Celtic Football Club has campaigned for adequate, integrated, public transport links to Celtic Park on match days and this is also a matter which requires attention," said the club.

"Celtic will be delighted to work with Glasgow City Council on these matters and will always aim to ensure that positive solutions can be reached."

Glasgow Times:

A council circular on the proposals says: "The significant attendance at events can attract many extra vehicles towards these venues, where, despite public transport provisions, surrounding residential areas seem to be an easy option for those looking to park for the duration of an event. 

"For this reason, and due to the nature and frequency of these events, then this type of parking scheme is being proposed..."

It continues: "This scheme should effectively discourage all other motorists, who may be attending an event at Celtic Park...from using the area as a car park to the detriment of road safety and the general amenity of the area."

It is understood free residents' parking permits will be available.

A council spokesman said: "These proposals are subject to consultation. No decision has been taken as yet."

Discussions about parking restrictions around Ibrox were aimed at relieving heavy traffic congestion and could commence in August at the start of the 2017/2018 football season.

They would see waiting, loading and unloading banned on crucial “event day routes” which the emergency services need to keep clear.

Those rules would come into force three hours before games and end one hour after it finishes.

It was suggested that an “event day permit zone” will also be introduced inside which only residents and registered visitors will be allowed to park.

Homeowners inside the zone will be able to apply for a free permit for every vehicle they own.