Video: Liverpool supporter visits Celtic’s safe standing section – ‘I hope to see this at Anfield one day’

While currently banned in the Premier League and the Championship, safe standing is proving popular at Celtic Park, as The Anfield Wrap explored recently.

The Football Spectators Act of 1989 dictated that football grounds adopt an all-seater layout, in the aftermath of the Hillsborough Disaster, which saw 96 Liverpool supporters lose their lives.

Dramatic changes in the safety of standing areas in stadiums in Germany, however, have led to calls for a new approach in the Premier League.

It has already come into effect north of the border, with Celtic introducing a new, 3,000-capacity standing section at Celtic Park at the start of this season.

And with The Anfield Wrap‘s Gareth Roberts taking in Celtic’s recent 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock, the advantages of safe standing were clear.

Celtic Park utilises rail seating, much like many stadia in Germany, providing the option to bolt the seats down when required, for example when hosting Champions League clashes.

The benefits of rail seating come with increased room for supporters and, as Roberts witnessed, a markedly improved atmosphere.

“It was absolutely superb. I think that should come to England, should come to the Premier League,” Roberts says.

“You should have the option to stand, to go in a section like that, and make a noise and make some colour, and encourage a culture of supporting your team that way.

“I hope to see something like this at Anfield one day, I really do.”

Standing sections remain a delicate subject on Merseyside due to the impact of the Hillsborough disaster, but as The Anfield Wrap’s video proves, it is a different proposition now.

In November, it was reported that Premier League clubs were set to continue talks over whether to introduce safe standing.

LFC supporters group Spirit of Shankly will vote on whether to back the introduction of rail seating next month.

For many, especially given the dour atmosphere at Anfield in recent years, it could be the way forward.

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