Celtic's Police Warning Ahead of Rangers Derby
Martin O’Neill has revealed Police Scotland delivered a “general behaviour” warning to Celtic ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox – a derby that will be played without a single away supporter in the ground.
The latest Old Firm instalment unfolds in a 50,000-capacity stadium stripped of Hoops fans on the orders of the authorities, the latest flashpoint in a long-running ticket allocation row between the Glasgow rivals.
That dispute traces back to the last meeting in Govan in March, when Celtic edged a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes, a night overshadowed by disorder in the stands. The fallout has been severe. Both clubs must play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors and have been hit with a £100,000 compensation bill, to be paid to whichever team is drawn away in their next fixture in that competition.
Against that backdrop, O’Neill and his players were given a face‑to‑face reminder of their responsibilities.
“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 a good thing as well,” the 74-year-old Celtic manager said.
“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.”
The absence of the Celtic support will change the feel of the occasion, but not O’Neill’s appetite for it.
He admitted: “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.”
Team Decisions
On the pitch, O’Neill still has decisions to make. Midfielder Mika Baur, who missed training on Friday with a knock, is expected to rejoin the group on Saturday, easing one concern. The real dilemma lies in goal.
Sam Johnstone, the experienced England international on loan from EFL Championship side Wolves, made his Celtic debut in Wednesday’s 1-0 William Hill Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. He impressed enough to pose a serious question over whether he keeps his place for the trip to Ibrox or steps aside for Viljami Sinisalo, who began the season as number one.
O’Neill 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,” he 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, and a goalkeeping call that could shape the tie. For Celtic and O’Neill, the margins in Govan will be thin – and every reaction, on and off the ball, will be under the microscope.
