First picture of Celtic fan who died inside stadium as tributes paid to ‘fierce’ supporter

TRIBUTES have flooded in for a Celtic fan who died within the stadium ahead of their match against St Mirren.

Emergency services raced to the toilets within Parkhead in Glasgow’s east end yesterday afternoon after being alerted to “concerns” for a woman.

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A 54-year-old woman was later pronounced dead at the scene.

She has now been named locally as Alison McGoff, a “fierce” Celtic fan and political campaigner.

St Margaret’s Celtic Supporters Club posted a photo of Alison during a tour of the ground.

They said: “Sadly one of our members Alison McGoff passed away at Celtic Park yesterday.

“A sad day for our club. “Alison you will be miss may you RIP.”

SNP MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, Steven Bonnar, meanwhile paid tribute to the fan with a selfie of the pair at a game.

He said: “Rest in Peace, Alison McGoff.

“We campaigned for Independence together in 2014 and Alison was a polling agent for me in 2019.

“In so many respects she was a kindred spirit.

“May she rest in eternal peace.

“”Though she be but little, she is fierce”.”

And a friend of Alison’s posted a touching tribute to her on Facebook.

She said: “I’m absolutely devastated by the news that my good friend Alison McGoff has passed away.

“I am truly blessed and thankful for having had her friendship and the wonderful memories of sharing mad stories of loving the Celtic, Ireland and our love of rebellion.

“The beautiful consolation is that she died in her true Paradise, the only place on earth where she was truly free of life’s burdens and doing the thing she lived for, supporting the Celtic.

“Rest in peace beautiful wumin, I’ll miss ye!”

Celtic FC also paid tribute to their fan and said they were providing all “necessary support” they could.

A spokesperson for the club said: “We regret to confirm that tragically, a 54-year-old woman died suddenly at Celtic Park prior to yesterday’s match.

“Her next of kin have been informed and we would like to extend our most sincere condolences to her family.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are very much with them following this tragic incident.

“Celtic will provide all necessary support we can at this time.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of concern for a woman within toilets at Celtic Park in Glasgow around 2.45pm on Saturday, 13 April.

“Emergency services attended but the 54-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”