‘Worst in a generation’ violence at Old Firm as arrests made after Celtic and Rangers fans storm pitch
Rangers and Celtic fans stormed the pitch at Ibrox after a dramatic penalty shootout in the Scottish Cup.
Celtic reached the semi-finals with a 4-2 victory on spot-kicks, which followed a 0-0 draw in a typically fiery Old Firm derby.
Tomas Cvancara scored the winning penalty for the visitors but just as their celebrations began, fan tensions boiled over.
A large mass of Celtic fans made their way onto the pitch, with some throwing pyrotechnics.
Rangers fans from the opposite end of the stadium also entered the field of play during ugly scenes.
One got very close to Celtic players and staff, but was then tackled to the ground and escorted off the pitch by police.
Police and stewards had to form a barricade between the two sets of supporters, who eventually returned to their respective stands.
In a statement, the Scottish Football Association 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.”
Police statement
It was confirmed later on Sunday that a number of arrests have been made following the trouble.
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.”
‘Sad day for Scottish football’
Speaking on air, talkSPORT’s chief football anchor Adrian Durham said: “This is a massive moment in Scottish football history.”
Reporter at Ibrox David Tanner, who claimed that a bottle of tonic wine was thrown, added: “The worst that we’ve seen in a generation.”
“Yeah it’s a disgrace,” Charlie Adam added. “It’s a sad day for Scottish football. We had an incident like this a few years ago in the Scottish Cup final, Hibernian and Rangers.
“Both teams invaded it, both supporters invaded the pitch but this, for the Old Firm that we talk about being our leadership teams and they represent, it’s an embarrassment for our game.
“And 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.
“Both football clubs have to look at themselves because they are the standard-bearers for us as football clubs and they have, both supporters have let themselves down.
“It’s an embarrassment for Scottish football. This should not be happening. In this day and age this should not be happening and we have to get control of it quickly because if it doesn’t it’ll keep escalating and escalating and there’ll be big big problems.”
Adam added: “I was a big advocate for playing in front of seven-and-a-half thousand, eight thousand away supporters. I’ve been there as a former player, I’ve had that experience, the atmosphere was incredible.
“I never ever felt when I was playing it would come to this, but these people that are now trying to ruin our game should be banned for life. These are moments that should not be happening.
“This is a tragedy for Scottish football. Scottish football is in a bad place now and it’s important now that the SFA (Scottish Football Association), Ian Maxwell (SFA CEO) and his people, they step up and they ban the right people and they make a big stance on this.
“For me and both clubs should be punished heavily for this because that is not right, that is not what we accept and that’s not what we should do. I get the old firm, it’s a big game and there’s a lot going on to it, but that should not be happening.”
Speaking to Premier Sports afterwards, Cvancara could be seen with blood on his shirt.
However, it’s not clear as to what caused this.
Celtic fans filled the entirety of the Broomloan Stand for the first time since 2018 when the allocation was reduced to less than 1,000.
There were violent scenes before the match when many away fans stormed the gates at Ibrox, as per videos on social media.
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