Police Scotland have condemned the ‘shameful’ scenes which saw hundreds of Old Firm thugs invade the pitch following the Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Ibrox.
And they have launched an investigation with the SFA and both clubs after revealing that officers and stewards were targeted with ‘extreme hostility and violence’ during the horrendous aftermath of today’s game.
After a goalless 120 minutes, Celtic claimed victory by edging out their fierce rivals 4-2 on penalties. Tomas Cvancara’s winning spot-kick saw scores of visiting supporters spill onto the track and eventually the pitch itself.
As police moved to put a cordon across the field, dozens of Rangers fans — predominantly from the Copland Road end — vaulted barriers and made their way onto the playing surface.
The situation threatened to get completely out of control when rival fans – many of them wearing masks – threw bottles, flares and flagpoles at each other. At least one supporter was injured in the fracas.
Celtic full-back Julian Araujo, who had jumped into the section housing his own supporters moments after the win, was involved in jostling with one Rangers fan who had come on to the pitch.
Police Scotland say officers and stewards were faced with ‘extreme hostility and violence’
Fans of both clubs invaded the pitch after Celtic’s victory in a penalty shootout at Ibrox
The disorder lasted for around 10 minutes, with fans leaving the pitch only after police and stewards formed a line between them.
It was also claimed that some Celtic supporters had stormed through the turnstiles without tickets before the game.
Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said: ‘The behaviour of a number of supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox today was shameful. It must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society.
‘A number of arrests have already been made, and Police Scotland will now work with both clubs and the Scottish Football Association to carry out a robust investigation following the scenes on the pitch at the conclusion of the match.
‘Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm.
‘Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed.
‘The investigation will also include the actions of some supporters who entered the Broomloan Road stand without tickets before the match started, forcing delays in the security operation and the turnstiles to be closed for a period of time.
‘I would also urge anyone with information about who was involved in disorder before, during or after the match to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101.’
An SFA spokesperson said: ‘The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following today’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox Stadium. An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the judicial panel protocol.’
The match was the first since 2018 to have the Broomloan Road end filled exclusively with 7,500 Celtic fans. The scenes are likely to end any hope of visiting clubs receiving that traditional allocation for future league matches.
Asked if the flashpoint was set to overshadow the outcome of the match, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said: ‘I think that would be a worry. For me, from a distance, I’ve been saying that the fixture itself is still a phenomenal fixture. There’s no question about that.
‘It had lost a bit of its lustre because the away fans, the full complement of away fans, weren’t allowed in. I have no idea what might happen. So, from that viewpoint, yes, (I’d be concerned) because I think today with the crowd, with our crowd there, I thought it was a proper Old Firm game in that sense. But we’ll see what develops.’
Pressed on whether he feared the incident would see the number of visiting fans restricted, he added: ‘No, that’s not for me to make a judgment… certainly not 20 minutes after the game is over.’
O’Neill confirmed that none of his players or staff had been injured in what followed. ‘As we were making our way back, there was some sort of fracas,’ he recalled. ‘I don’t know. All I saw was there was a bit of a scrum.
‘Maybe it does taint proceedings, but I think there’s an element of self-protection in that one. I’m making judgments here on things that I only half saw.’
Asked if there had been any discussion with security staff about removing the players from the field quickly after the game ended, he said: ‘Well, no, I don’t think there was any. The security men, in fairness to them, were wanting to get people off. But there is a natural euphoria about winning a game and about fans joining in. If this has gone too far, that would be disappointing.’
After 21 years away from Scottish football, O’Neill acknowledged the Old Firm game still carries the same level of animosity. ‘I don’t know whether it’s grown. It hasn’t lessened,’ he stated. ‘Anyway, let me put it this way, if any of us ever come down to this earth in 500 years, it will be exactly the same. Exactly the same.’
Rangers boss Danny Rohl expressed regret at what unfolded, despite not getting a clear view of what happened.
Police will now work with Rangers, Celtic and the SFA to carry out a ‘robust’ investigation
‘I’m honest, I was not on the pitch in this moment. I didn’t see it until now,’ he said. ‘I heard just that there was something on the pitch. I think we all know the emotional situation after a game.
‘Nobody likes to see this. I think it was a great atmosphere, 120 minutes. I think it should be like this. All the other things should not be in the stadium or around football.’
Told that the SFA had issued a statement which threatened disciplinary action against the respective clubs, Rohl added: ‘The good thing is I take a lot of responsibility for a lot of topics, but this is not my topic. I think there are a lot of good people around me that will speak about this and then we will see.’
Former Rangers and Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam described the scenes as a ‘disgrace’. He told talkSPORT: ‘It’s a sad day for Scottish football. For the Old Firm that we talk about being our leadership teams and (what) they represent, it’s an embarrassment for our game.
‘As a national team, we’re trying to improve and we’re trying to get better. But these two clubs have let us down as a nation and they have to have a look at themselves today.
‘They are the standard-bearers for us as football clubs and they have, both (sets of) supporters have, let themselves down. It’s an embarrassment for Scottish football. This should not be happening and we have to get control of it quickly because, if it doesn’t, it will keep escalating and there will be big, big problems.’
