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St Mirren plan a minute’s applause in memory of the Queen ahead of Celtic match

Rangers v Napoli – UEFA Champions League – Group A – Ibrox Stadium
(Image credit: Andrew Milligan)

St Mirren will hold a minute’s applause to mark the death of the Queen ahead of their cinch Premiership meeting with Celtic.

The Paisley club confirmed their plans after their pre-match media conference for their home match on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday, the SFA, in a joint statement with the Scottish Professional Football League, said: “This week, as a mark of respect and in keeping with the period of national mourning, home clubs may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the national anthem just ahead of kick-off, and players may wish to wear black armbands.”

Banners in the Celtic end

Banners in the Celtic end in Warsaw (Gavin McCafferty/PA)

St Mirren have opted for a period of applause ahead of their meeting with Celtic, who face a disciplinary hearing at the hands of UEFA after a banner among their supporters declared ‘F*** the Crown’ during their Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw on Tuesday.

Another banner in the Celtic end read ‘Sorry for your loss Michael Fagan’, a reference to the intruder who broke into the Queen’s Buckingham Palace bedroom in 1982 while supporters also expressed their anti-monarchy views in song.

There had been no minute’s silence before the game but both sets of teams wore black armbands.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson said on Friday morning: “We will be showing our utmost respects. We just hope everybody is respectful.”

Ibrox Stadium

Rangers fans paid tribute at Ibrox (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Rangers are playing at home on Saturday, against Dundee United, days after defying UEFA by playing God Save the King ahead of their Champions League defeat by Napoli, straight after a minute’s silence. The Ibrox club will not face any sanctions from UEFA for going against its instructions.

Fans in the Broomloan Road Stand created a Union Jack backdrop behind the silhouette of the Queen’s head as a further tribute.

St Johnstone announced on Thursday that they would hold a minute’s applause before their home game against Ross County.