Celtic manager Martin O’Neill forced to tender Immediate apology to rangers fans after his unwanted comments
The Scottish FA is investigating after Celtic players and staff were attacked by Rangers fans in violent post-match scenes following a dramatic cup win.
THE Scottish Football Association has launched an immediate investigation after ugly clashes marred Celtic’s Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Rangers at Ibrox. Celtic defender Julian Araujo and a member of the club’s backroom staff were attacked by home supporters during a mass pitch invasion after the match.
Fighting erupted when dozens of Celtic fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate their penalty shootout win. This prompted hundreds of Rangers supporters to storm the field in retaliation, leading to violent confrontations.
Missiles and fireworks were thrown as the rival groups traded blows. Police and stewards eventually formed a barrier across the pitch to separate the factions.
Officers apprehended one man after an incident involving a Celtic staff member. Celtic players, including Tomas Cvancara, rushed to the scene to intervene.
Cvancara later gave a television interview with blood stains on his shirt. Right-back Araujo was also pushed by a Rangers fan during the melee.
“The behaviour from supporters entering the field of play is condemned,” the SFA stated. “An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.”
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill expressed his disappointment at the scenes. “There is a natural euphoria about winning a game and about fans joining in,” he said.
“If this has gone too far, that would be disappointing.” O’Neill confirmed there was “some sort of fracas” as his team tried to leave the pitch.
The match was the first Old Firm derby in almost a decade to feature a large allocation of away tickets. Away supporters had been banned from these fixtures in 2023 due to previous hooligan clashes.
They were only allowed to return on a reduced basis last year. This cup tie was seen as a test for hosting greater numbers of travelling fans.
Celtic progressed to the semi-finals despite failing to register a single shot on target during 120 minutes of play. The match ended 0-0 after extra time.
Rangers captain James Tavernier hit the bar with the first penalty in the shootout. Djeidi Gassama then blazed his spot-kick over for the hosts.
Cvancara converted the decisive penalty to seal a 4-2 shootout win for Celtic. Chaos erupted on the pitch immediately after his successful kick.
“There were a few tete-a-tetes. It’s unfortunate,” O’Neill added. “Hopefully it doesn’t dilute the performance.”
The Celtic boss acknowledged the intense nature of the historic rivalry. “Old Firm games are explosive games, they always have been,” he said.
“That’s maybe one of the reasons why the derby is one of the best in the world.” Rangers manager Danny Rohl said he did not witness the incidents firsthand.
“I was not on the pitch in this moment. I didn’t see it until now,” Rohl stated. “I heard just that there was something on the pitch.”
He acknowledged the high emotions following such a dramatic defeat. “I think we all know the emotional situation after a game,” Rohl said.
“Nobody likes to see this.” Rangers dominated large periods of the match, amassing 24 shots.
They also had a goal disallowed by VAR in extra time for a handball by Emmanuel Fernandez. The defeat compounds a miserable week for the Ibrox side.
Rangers blew a two-goal half-time lead to draw 2-2 with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership just last weekend.
