Old Firm cup clash ends in violence as fans invade pitch

March 9 – Police have condemned the scenes that followed the latest Old Firm clash after disorder broke out at the end of the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic fans at Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium.

Scottish police made a number arrests following clashes on the pitch after the final whistle, with officers now working alongside the clubs and the Scottish Football Association to investigate the incidents.

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.”

The violence came after Celtic secured their place in the semi-finals with a 4–2 penalty shootout victory – adding some much-needed on pitch excitement to the otherwise goalless draw.

Dozens of visiting supporters spilled on to the pitch from the away section in the aftermath of the decisive spot-kick, prompting hundreds of Rangers fans to met them before police and stewards formed a barrier across the playing surface.

“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,” said Stephen.

“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.”

Around 7,500 away supporters were present at Ibrox for the fixture, with Celtic allocated the full Broomloan Road Stand for the first time since 2018. The visiting club’s ticket allocation had been reduced to fewer than 1,000 seats in the intervening years amid ongoing disputes between the clubs over supporter numbers.

A return the banning or restricting the numbers of away fans for Old Firm fixtures looks likely.

Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1773067653labto1773067653ofdlr1773067653owedi1773067653sni@g1773067653niwe.1773067653yrrah1773067653.