{"id":2828,"date":"2026-03-08T17:12:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T17:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2828"},"modified":"2026-03-08T17:12:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T17:12:35","slug":"celtic-boss-martin-oneill-speaks-out-after-fans-swarm-pitch-in-ugly-old-firm-scenes-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2828","title":{"rendered":"Celtic boss Martin O’Neill speaks out after fans swarm pitch in ugly Old Firm scenes | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\"Rangers\t<\/div>
Fans of Celtic and Rangers stormed the pitch after the Old Firm derby (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Martin O\u2019Neill has confirmed that all of his Celtic players emerged unscathed after ugly post-match scenes marred the side\u2019s Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over bitter rivals Rangers.<\/p>\n

There was an immediate pitch invasion from ecstatic Celtic supporters as Tomas Cvancara converted the decisive spot-kick to secure the Bhoys a 4-2 win in a nail-biting penalty shootout at Ibrox.<\/p>\n

But the situation rapidly took a sinister turn as Rangers fans \u2013 many hiding their identities with masks and balaclavas \u2013 joined their rival supporters on the pitch, with police forced to form a makeshift barricade.<\/p>\n

Celtic manager O\u2019Neill was pictured trying to calm his players as the disturbance threatened to descend into all-out chaos, before quickly making his way off the field to safety.<\/p>\n

There had also been trouble before kick-off, with scores of Rangers fans filmed violently clashing with stewards while storming the gates to break into the stadium.<\/p>\n

An official statement from the Scottish FA condemned the unsavoury scenes and confirmed that an investigation was underway.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following today\u2019s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox Stadium. <\/p>\n

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\u2018An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Celtic beat their bitter rivals to advance through to the semi-finals (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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O\u2019Neill was caught up in the ugly post-match scenes (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Asked if his players were okay at his post-match press conference, O\u2019Neill told reporters: \u2018Yes. It looked as if there was a few tete-a-tetes as much as anything else. That is unfortunate.<\/p>\n

\u2018But hopefully it does not dilute the performance in terms of character and all the things that we had.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was our fourth game in ten days and we were really out on our feet, but we defended magnificently. <\/p>\n

\u2018The boys were throwing their bodies on the line. I have the utmost regard for the team.\u2019<\/p>\n

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“It is an ugly, ugly end to what has been a superb game of football”Chaos breaks out on the pitch at Ibrox as both sets of fans end up on the pitch following Celtic’s penalty shootout win over Rangers pic.twitter.com\/m8cmSHEkGM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 8, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

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Cvancara scored the winning penalty for the visitors (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pressed on whether the behaviour of supporters may become the main story, he added: \u2018That may well be. I need to have a think about it. <\/p>\n

\u2018Really, at the end of the day, Old Firm games are explosive. <\/p>\n

\u2018They have always been and maybe that is one of the reasons that the derby is one of the best in the world.\u2019<\/p>\n

The match marked the first time that Celtic fans had been given the full Broomloan Stand allocation at Ibrox since being reduced to fewer than 1,000 in 2018.<\/p>\n

Asked if the post-match scenes could see a U-turn on this decision, O\u2019Neill replied: \u2018I would certainly hope not. <\/p>\n

\u2018It was only a cup game for a start, so I do not know what the\u00a0SPFL\u00a0will be thinking about at the end of it all. <\/p>\n

\u2018You are asking me a lot of political questions here at this moment when I am in a euphoric state.\u2019<\/p>\n

The ex-Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss went on: \u2018The fans spilled over, big scenes there at the end and scenes all over the place. It is not me diminishing it at all. <\/p>\n

\u2018I will have a think about it and speak to you in due course. <\/p>\n

\u2018At this minute, we have won the game, although you would hardly tell by my face. It was a long afternoon. <\/p>\n

\u2018In all honesty, the crowd kept us going during the course of the afternoon as they have done in previous times.\u2019<\/p>\n

More to follow.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Wayne Rooney names club he regrets not playing for: \u2018I\u2019m a big fan\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: How one Scottish club are using data to end the Old Firm\u2019s dominance<\/span><\/p>\n
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