Scottish police on alert as Celtic draw Rangers away in League Cup months after riots

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FT Desk

Scottish authorities are expecting another tension-filled afternoon when Rangers host Celtic in the League Cup quarter-final in a few weeks' time.

Rangers progressed to the next round of the League Cup after demolishing St Mirren 5-1 on Sunday, just a few hours after Celtic eliminated Dundee United following an emphatic 4-0 win at Tannadice.

The draw is one that police in Scotland would have been keen to avoid after the events of the 2025 Scottish Cup quarter-final tie between the two Glasgow rivals at Ibrox a few months ago.

After a goalless 120 minutes, Celtic won the penalty shootout 4–2. As Tomas Cvancara scored the decisive penalty, a number of Celtic supporters left the away end and ran onto the pitch to celebrate.

The pitch invasion prompted a reaction from Rangers supporters, many of whom also entered the field. Police officers and stewards formed a cordon between the rival groups, but clashes broke out. Flares, bottles and other objects were thrown, and some fans attempted to confront opposition supporters and club staff.

Players from both teams were quickly escorted off the pitch while officers worked to restore order. Several police officers and supporters were injured, including a 10-year-old boy who was struck by a coin, and multiple arrests were made. Police Scotland described the scenes as "despicable" and "shameful."

The Scottish FA subsequently published its independent review of the afternoon to determine blame.

Incredibly, part of the review states that Rangers' mascot, Broxi Bear, was warned about its conduct after appearing to tease the Celtic fans.

Mark Blackbourne, who conducted the review, notes that "The RFC mascot was twice observed and recorded, by the Match Delegate, provoking the away support and personally warned by the Safety Officer."

It wasn't just Broxi, of course, as both clubs are now being investigated following the behaviour of both sets of supporters.

SFA Disciplinary Rule 37: - "A club playing a match at its own ground, or allowing its ground to be used for a match in which it is not participating, or a club using a third party’s ground for the playing of a match in which it is participating must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, (i) good order and security; (ii) that policies and procedures have been adopted and are implemented to prevent instances of Unacceptable Conduct; and (iii) that any instance of Unacceptable Conduct is effectively dealt with on the occasion of a match.

"Each club participating in a match must also ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that its players, officials, supporters and any person exercising a function for or in connection with the club do not engage in Unacceptable Conduct at any ground on the occasion of a match. Each club must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that it identifies any of its supporters who engage in Unacceptable Conduct at a match take proportionate disciplinary measures in respect of such supporters."

The review concluded that "life-threatening violence was possible" for certain periods of the day and that police officers were left "petrified" of policing another game at Ibrox.

The tie took place just one week after the sides met in the league. Unlike that fixture, however, Scottish Cup rules meant Celtic received more than 8,000 tickets - around 5,600 more than they had been allocated for the previous match.

It is unknown at this point how many tickets Celtic fans will receive for the upcoming League Cup clash.

There was a period recently when neither Celtic nor Rangers allowed away fans into their stadiums for league matches between the two teams, though that was subsequently increased to around 2,500 fans.

It is likely that will be the amount for the League Cup quarter-final but no official confirmation has come.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive said: "On behalf of the board I would like to thank the Review Lead, Mark Blackbourne, for producing such a comprehensive independent review and accompanying recommendations, which we will consider in full and seek to implement stated recommendations in conjunction with relevant stakeholders.

“Whilst this is now a live matter for an independent Judicial Panel to consider, the Scottish FA wishes to reiterate that the scenes witnessed during the cup tie, and subsequently investigated by our Review Lead, should have no place in our game.

“We will work together with the SPFL, clubs, Police Scotland and Scottish Government to ensure no repeat of the events that tarnished the image and reputation of the game. We will also seek to reassure the majority of fans who attend matches responsibly that showpiece occasions such as these should be enjoyed safely in future.”

Police Scotland arrested 37 people in connection with the riots.