CELTIC chairman Ian Bankier today offered Celtic fans no assurances over the rumoured appointment of Bernard Higgins to a senior security role.

The Parkhead supremo was quizzed over suggestions Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Higgins could be lined up for a role at Celtic.

But he was reluctant to give any concrete answers to the rumours after major fan protests to the possible appointment.

As quoted by The Scottish Sun, Bankier was asked: "Recently there has been strong murmurs that the club are looking to appoint Benard Higgins into a senior security role. 

"Will the board rethink that? And before we get a stock answer, can we get an assurance from the board that they will not appoint someone who had a massively negative impact on the mental health of many young Celtic fans back in 2012.

"To appoint him into any sort of role would be a massive slap in the face to those fans."

But Bankier refused to provide any assurances over any possible operational roles: responding: "It won't surprise you to know that I am not going to give assurances on what would be an operational roles. I am not giving any assurances, not for today.

"What I will re-iterate, health and safety at big arenas is a massive issue.

"It's a big topic, it is high level, it is strategic. It is not a role that polices Celtic fans, that is not the role we are seeking to fill. 

"When we are ready to announce it, we will announce it." 

Last month the Green Brigade announced a silent protest against the rumoured appointment for the match against Livingston.

The fan group stated: "Higgins played a major part of the implementation of the much-hated Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act and passionately defended the legislation within the Scottish Parliament. 

"Assistant Chief Constable Higgins' remit involved strategic decisions on the policing of football across Scotland.

"His appointment would be no laughing matter, however. For hundreds of Celtic fans this would represent the ultimate insult."

The group then displayed a banner protesting any appointment which depicted ACC Higgins alongside the words: "His evil eyes have no place in Paradise".

In another protest, Celtic fans lobbed tennis balls onto the pitch before the away match against Dundee delaying kick-off.

The balls were covered with an image of ACC Higgins scored out with a banner raised which read: "Fans or Higgins? The ball's in your court."