POLICE say a small minority of the 50,000 fans who saw Celtic's 2-0 win over Rangers in a League Cup semi final match at Hampden "spoiled" the occasion by singing sectarian songs and setting off flares.

Police say they had arrested 19 men by 5pm over incidents related mostly to minor public order offences but also include 10 arrests for alleged sectarian breaches of the peace.

Some 11 are due to appear before Glasgow Sheriff Court today and a further five are the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal. Three more men have been issued with a fixed penalty notice.

Before the game there were reports that English football hooligans were planning to cause trouble at the game.

Police had been monitoring online traffic ahead of the match.

And both club were also visited by Police Scotland to remind players and management of their responsibilities in a bid to minimise any possibility of trouble.

Event commander, chief superintendent Andy Bates, said: "As usual the vast majority of the 50,000 fans were here to enjoy the game and support their respective team; they deserve credit for their excellent behaviour.

"However, again, it is the minority of fans who spoiled the occasion by for example setting off flares and singing sectarian songs.

"We dealt with any incidents swiftly and with minimum disruption."

There were some complaints made about a banner displayed at the Celtic end which stated: "At the going down of the hun, and in the morning, we will remember them." Another banner stated: "The monkeys died"

However Celtic fans complained that Rangers fans sang about the Irish famine.

The Old Firm meeting, the first for almost three years was a sell-out - with an international TV audience in 54 countries.

Police officers were deployed at the stadium, in Glasgow city centre and at major transport hubs before, during and after the match.

On Victoria Road scores of police were out in force to prevent as large group of fans spilling onto the road from the pavement and disrupting traffic.

It is estimated some 2400 fans returned from the game at Central Station, with police reporting a "very subdued" atmosphere.

Fans were kept well segregated on trains coming from Hampden.

The vast majority of Celtic fans were using trains running from King's Park while Rangers supporters predominantly came from Mount Florida.

Rangers fans were in good spirits, despite the defeat. One fan, Ronnie McPherson, 45, from Hamilton carrying a Union Jack banner said: "We weren't expected to win this. We are the underdogs on and off the pitch. At least we didn't get a gubbin'. I think if we had the mood would have been a whole lot different.

"The important thing for me is that we get it right in the board room because we are stumbling from one financial crisis to another."

Celtic fans were suitably jubilant with the win.

Danny Duncan, 39, from Airdrie added: "We were in no danger. No danger at all. I actually feel sorry for the Rangers fans because really they are a pretty poor side.

"We should have won by more."

The Scottish Professional Football League said the game had a potential audience of 129 million outside of the UK, with broadcasters in the US, Australia, Europe and Asia screening it.

The Old Firm game, the first since April 2012, has had a tense build up and is the first since the Rangers oldco was liquidated and after the assets were bought by a consortium headed by Charles Green was subsequently readmitted to the Scottish leagues at third division level.