The fallout from the recent Old Firm encounter continues after a prominent Celtic supporters’ group criticised the policing operation surrounding the fierce derby.
Supporters’ representatives have now called for answers following the disorder that overshadowed the Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox Stadium.
Celtic Fans Collective hit out at the policing of Old Firm Scottish Cup clash
The Celtic Fans Collective has issued a lengthy statement criticising the policing and crowd management of the recent derby between Celtic and Rangers at Ibrox.
The match, which ended 0–0 before Celtic secured a 4–2 penalty shootout victory in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, was overshadowed by chaotic scenes after the final whistle.
In a statement, the group claimed that large numbers of visiting supporters were funnelled into a restricted entry route before the game, leading to dangerous overcrowding and prolonged delays outside the stadium.
The CFC also criticised the deployment of riot police during the build-up, arguing that it increased tension among supporters who were already experiencing “crush-like” conditions.
The statement also raised wider concerns about the planning of the matchday operation, referencing previous investigations into the policing of Celtic supporters and urging both the authorities and the club to address the issues raised.
FGG says: Old Firm safety concerns must be addressed
Matches between Celtic and Rangers remain among the most intense fixtures in world football, and ensuring supporter safety on such occasions is a huge challenge for organisers.
Concerns raised by supporters about access routes, crowd management and policing operations should be taken seriously, particularly when large away allocations are involved.
Effective planning and communication between clubs, police and fan groups are essential to prevent situations that can become unsafe.
At the same time, the pitch invasions and clashes that followed the match cannot be ignored. Incidents like those damage the reputation of the fixture and risk leading to stricter restrictions for travelling supporters in future.
The focus now should be on learning from what went wrong on all sides to ensure the Old Firm can be staged safely moving forward.