Celtic's Pre-emptive Police Warning Ahead of Old Firm Clash
Martin O’Neill has revealed Police Scotland delivered a pre-emptive warning on “general behaviour” to Celtic ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox – a seismic Old Firm tie that will be played without a single away supporter.
No Celtic fans will be inside the 50,000-seat arena after the authorities stepped in amid the long-running ticket allocation dispute between the Glasgow rivals. The fallout traces back to the last meeting in Govan in March, when crowd disorder overshadowed Celtic’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out win after 120 goalless minutes.
That night has carried a heavy price. Both clubs must play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors and have been ordered to stump up £100,000 in compensation, to be paid to whichever side is drawn away in those fixtures.
Into that tense backdrop walked Police Scotland, straight into Celtic’s camp.
“We had the police come in today, just a little 15-minute meeting with us, just reminders of our behaviour, which I think is actually a timely reminder. It’s a good thing as well,” said the 74-year-old Hoops manager.
He admitted the occasion will feel different without the travelling support, even as he relishes what awaits at Ibrox.
“It’ll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I’m nervously and excitedly looking forward to it, it’s a great fixture,” he said.
For O’Neill, the message from the authorities cut across the whole club.
“I think it’s the overall picture. Gosh, it’d be nice to have something to celebrate. I think it’s just general behaviour from us.
“They didn’t mention this but I would have assumed that one of the things that they considered is what happens on the field of play, because these things can be taken further.
“You don’t want any sort of punch-ups for a start; secondly, you don’t want too excessive celebrations, stuff like that, if that was the case.
“I mean, I’d be delighted to be celebrating something in the game. But it’s the behaviour in the light of what has happened in recent fixtures.”
So Celtic head to Ibrox walking a tightrope: fired up for a cup quarter-final against their fiercest rivals, while under explicit instruction to keep a lid on the flashpoints that have dogged recent derbies.
Team Selection
Team selection only sharpens the intrigue.
O’Neill confirmed midfielder Mika Baur will train on Saturday after missing Friday’s session with a knock, but the real decision hangs over the goalkeeper’s jersey. Sam Johnstone, the experienced England international on loan from Wolves, made his Celtic debut in Wednesday’s 1-0 William Hill Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. Now the manager must choose whether that was a one-off audition or the start of a new order.
He is not giving anything away.
“I haven’t made my mind up at all. It was a matter of getting a look at what Sam can do,” O’Neill said.
“It’s great to have the two of them. Big Viljami has done exceptionally well for us and it was just, again, an opportunity to see what Sam can do now.
“What he could do a couple of years ago was fantastic, what he can do now might be a totally different picture. I will let them know first.”
No away fans. A police warning still ringing in players’ ears. A goalkeeper call that could shape the night.
For Celtic and O’Neill, Ibrox on Sunday is not just another Old Firm. It’s a test of control as much as courage.
