There must be consequences for Scottish football's day of shame

Not since the final of the national cup competition at Hampden back in 2016 have such appalling scenes been witnessed inside a football ground in this country.

It was a minor miracle nobody was seriously hurt, including several of the visitors’ players, as a consequence of the pitch invasions by both sets of supporters and their subsequent imbecilic actions.

The SFA promptly condemned the behaviour of the fans who had entered the playing surface after Tomas Cvancara had netted the winning penalty in the shootout and revealed that a full investigation will be carried out. There promise to be serious repercussions for the individuals responsible and possibly both clubs. 

It was a shame that such an extraordinary match was so quickly forgotten about because it had, while lacking in goals and quality football, been an utterly compelling spectacle before tensions boiled over.

Here are five talking points to arise from the last eight encounter and the aftermath.

Pre-match blow

Celtic fans were braced for Kieran Tierney being out as the left-back had suffered a foot injury against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night. But when Callum McGregor was missing from the squad they got a fright. It soon emerged their captain had suffered an injury in midweek which he had failed to recover from.

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His place was taken by Luke McCowan, who slotted into midfield alongside Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren. But his absence was a massive blow for the visitors. The considerable presence of their talisman was badly missed throughout the 120 minutes.

Midfield battle

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill really needed McCowan, Hatate and Nygren to step up – but Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande assumed control of the all-important area early on and did not relinquish it.

The latter, who took over from Tochi Chukwuani, picked up an early booking for a foul on Julian Araujo. The Mexican right-back fell to the truth and writhed about in agony after a rash challenge by his rival. He leapt to his feet with a grin on his face once the yellow had been flashed. It is no wonder he has become so popular in the East End and something of a hate figure on the other side of the River Clyde.

But the hosts did not let that incident deter them. McCowan gifted the ball to Raskin inside his own half in just the third minute and his rival launched the first meaningful attack of the match.

Youssef Chermiti got a shot away which struck the shoulder of Auston Trusty. There were appeals for a penalty from the red, white and blue hordes. But referee Don Robertson and his VAR colleague Andrew Dallas ignored them. It was the correct call.

Fans of Rangers and Celtic invaded the pitch at Ibrox yesterday (Image: Shutterstock)

That passage of play, though, very much set the tone for what was to come. Celtic gave the ball away repeatedly and invited pressure onto themselves constantly. Rangers dominated possession and threatened to break the deadlock on several occasions. They failed, however, to take advantage of their superiority and were fortunate not to fall behind.

VAR spot on

Celtic thought they had nosed in front 10minutes before half-time when Daizen Maeda, who was once again given the nod at striker ahead of Cvancara, dove and headed a Liam Scales flick on from a McCowan cross beyond Rangers keeper Jack Butland.

The Rangers players complained to Robertson. Sure enough, Dallas spotted that the defender had been offside when his team mate floated his delivery into the area after watching replays over at Clydesdale House.

Emmanuel Fernandez celebrated after he had blatantly palmed the ball into the net at a James Tavernier corner in the first period of extra-time. His reaction was absolutely baffling. It was inevitable his goal would be chalked off.   

The use of new technology in the Scottish game does not have many advocates after some high-profile errors – but it once again got crucial decisions in a big game right yesterday afternoon.

Sucker punch

Rangers redoubled their efforts when the second half got underway and could have scored when Benjamin Arthur allowed a McCowan pass to roll under his foot just outside his penalty box. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, though, raced off his line, got to the ball before Chermiti and cleared the danger.

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The home side continued to enjoy by far the better of the match. But they were unable to produce the moment of magic they required in the final third and it remained goalless. Celtic failed to register a single shot on target in regulation time or extra-time. Incredibly, though, the game went to penalties.

Danny Rohl’s charges, who had no fewer 24 attempts on goal, could not find a way through their opponents’ resolute rearguard and inspired keeper before the shootout. They did not do an awful lot better with their spot kicks.

Rangers captain Tavernier struck the crossbar with the opener. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Trusty and Hatate made no mistake for Celtic. Nedim Bajrami and Ryan Naderi gave the hosts hope by converting.

But then Djeidi Gassama stepped forward and shelled his spot kick high over the crossbar. On-loan Borussia Monchengladbach forward Cvancara booked a semi-final spot at Hampden when he buried from 12 yards. Then all hell broke loose.

Derby disgrace

This was the first time that an Old Firm game at Ibrox had a full stand of away supporters in attendance since 2018 and the presence of 7,500 or so Celtic fans in the Broomloan helped to create the sort of atmosphere which has been sadly lacking in this world-famous fixture in recent years.

But it remains to be seen if there will be anyone inside the ground when these age-old adversaries square up to each other in future. The conduct of certain elements within both fanbases before, during and after, especially after, a match which was broadcast live across the United Kingdom by Premier Sports was nothing short of a disgrace. 

Police officers and stewards form a line to separate Rangers and Celtic fans at Ibrox yesterday (Image: Steve Welsh)

Disabled access gates were forced open, stewards hospitalised, pyrotechnics set off, sectarian songs chanted, seats damaged, disgusting graffiti daubed on walls and missiles thrown.

The pitch invasion by hundreds of Celtic fans after Cvancara had clinched victory was inexcusable but perhaps understandable in the circumstances. It was, too, good natured. But their regrettable actions provoked an ugly response from counterparts who were smarting at the mugging they had just witnessed at the other end of the pitch.

Hundreds of them battled their way through the police and stewards who were holding them back and charged up the field. Araujo was physically accosted as he made his way up the tunnel. Flares and bottles were thrown and scuffles broke out before order was finally restored.

That there is an unsavoury aspect to Old Firm encounters is not news. But this is 2026. Can more really not be done to rid the national game of disorder, violence and bigotry on these showpiece occasions? An example must be made of those responsible and a strong message sent out that such affray is unacceptable.