They say the first casualty in any war/battle/fight is the truth.

The Celtic hierarchy's decision to ban the Green Brigade (GB) today has seemingly caused quite the stir. 

Okay, let's start with the positives.

Nobody can deny that the Green Brigade create a good atmosphere inside the stadium, the work they do regarding foodbanks and raising money and awareness for humanitarian causes all around the world is unprecedented. Some of their Tifo's have bordered on spectacular. The Green Brigade adheres to the Celtic motto 'a club like no other'. Like them or loathe the GB are a fanbase like no other.

Yet the second part of Celtic's motto seems to jar with those who represent the GB. A club open to all? Really? Ask the members of the GB that question tonight. Their left wing political tendencies might be unpalatable to some but it shows that their Celtic heart and soul is in the right place.

However, of late to the Celtic hierarchy the GB have become, for want of a better expression, a liability.

Let's look at the evidence then.

The continued use of pyrotechnics, the racking up of UEFA fines whenever the club is on the European stage as well as the IRA songbook. These issues cannot simply be swept under the carpet.

This has now become a 'he said/she said' argument involving those at the very top echelons of power at Celtic and what they deem as a militant renegade bunch of supporters who refuse to be reeled in despite numerous or as the club phrased it "repeated incidents of unacceptable conduct."

READ MORE: Celtic on Green Brigade ban: 'Serious safety concerns' drove decision

The club has mounting concerns moving forward. The ban starts with immediate effect and will remain in place pending a review, only to be lifted if talks are constructive with GB leaders. It's understood the ban has NOTHING to do with the flying of Palestinian flags at home and away grounds amidst the GB's continued support for the Palestine cause.  The last straw for the Celtic board came last Saturday with issues at Easter Road. 

Prohibiting the supporters to enter Celtic Park for domestic games also comes on the back of issues against Lazio (the GB fans breaking in to the ground to set up a Tifo that was unauthorised), a pyro fine at Feyenoord and issues at Fir Park where fans were accused of running at stewards and trying to force open fire exit doors to let fellow ticketless supporters in.

There is also the small matter of the continuation of 'Pig Watch' which, despite pleas from the club, has seen various pictures of police officers being posted on social media. Celtic's safety certificate is also up for reviewal with the council in December and there are concerns about it being renewed if the status quo continues. In short, the Celtic board's patience appears to have finally snapped and a head-on confrontation was unavoidable.

So what is the solution that would end the impasse?

The truth of course. We all want the truth. There has to be positive as well as open and meaningful dialogue with both parties as well as clear transparency. The GB may be repeat offenders when it comes to UEFA fines but their crimes are hardly heinous are they?

In turn the GB have to accept that there are lines that even they cannot cross. Which brings us back to the original point. If the GB provide the colour, the atmosphere and the spectacle that are the vital ingredient that makes Celtic Park special then surely any ban has to be temporary.

Just look at the events of last Tuesday night when everybody inside Parkhead rallied to the 'community and the cause' as Celtic went toe-to-toe with a European heavyweight and came away with a creditable 2-2 draw.

Now the Holy Trinity - the Celtic fans, players and club - is in danger of being damaged beyond repair. If the kids are not united then they will always be divided. It's time everybody on all sides got together and acted like adults. Adults who can handle the truth.

For the time being, it will be up to all the other sections of the Celtic support to create the special 'noise' that spurs the team on during matchdays. Can those fans grasp the nettle as long as the standoff between the club and the GB lasts?

It's certainly not what the Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers would have wanted for his team this season just as they look like they were beginning to show signs of hitting their stride both domestically and in Europe.

As Jock Stein famously said: "Football without the fans is nothing." You only need to go back to season 2020/21 to see how Celtic as a club was affected by fan restrictions. It was the team in green and white who suffered more than most.