Police Scotland's Warning Ahead of Old Firm Cup Clash

Police Scotland have stepped into the build-up to Sunday’s Old Firm Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, delivering what Celtic manager Martin O’Neill called “a timely reminder” over behaviour when his side return to Ibrox.

The visit came on Friday, a short, sharp intervention ahead of a tie already loaded with history, tension and consequences.

Police warning after fan disorder fallout

Both Celtic and Rangers are still dealing with the fallout from last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, a tie Celtic won on penalties but which descended into ugly scenes off the pitch. Last month, the authorities handed down a stark punishment: each club must play their next home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors.

Celtic have not been back to Ibrox since that night. They did, however, host Rangers in May in the league, winning 3-1 on their way to another Premiership title. The rivalry has rolled on. The scrutiny around it has only tightened.

On top of that, the Scottish Professional Football League has ruled that there will be no away supporters at any Old Firm derbies in the league or League Cup this season. One of world football’s most hostile fixtures will be played in front of one-eyed crowds.

Against that backdrop, O’Neill confirmed the squad had been spoken to directly.

“We had the police come in today, just a little 15-minute meeting to remind us of our behaviour, which I think is a timely reminder,” the Celtic manager said.

Pressed on what exactly was discussed, O’Neill joined the dots himself.

“They didn't mention this, but I would have assumed that one of the things that would be considered is what happens in 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 excessive celebrations, stuff like that.

“But I think it's just the behaviour in the light of what has happened in recent fixtures. I think that the conversation with the police wouldn't have taken place had not recent events been brought up to us.”

The message was clear enough: keep a lid on it, on and off the pitch.

No away fans, no buffer

The removal of away allocations has already reshaped the feel of the derby. Ibrox will be a wall of blue on Sunday, just as Celtic Park was a sea of green and white in May.

O’Neill admitted it will be an odd experience.

“I think the games themselves almost take care of themselves in that sense,” he said when asked about the impact of no away support.

“It'll be strange in many aspects not to have any away fans in our area. I always felt as if it would give you a crumb of comfort in some description.

“Nervously looking forward to it, excitedly looking forward to it.”

The balance of power, for now, lies on his side of the city. Celtic have won the last three derbies since Rangers’ 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in January. After just six Premiership games this season, the champions already hold a five-point lead over their rivals.

Form, though, rarely walks calmly into this fixture.

Rangers under pressure, Celtic wary

Rangers arrive under their own cloud. Derek McInnes has endured a stuttering start to life as manager, drawing criticism from sections of the home support. The mood has eased slightly thanks to a run of four straight wins, but the unease has not vanished.

O’Neill knows how quickly an Old Firm crowd can turn – and how quickly it can ignite.

“I suppose if you get in front in the game, that makes them anxious,” he said. “Talking about getting in front and getting in front are two different things. The crowd will be right behind their team, which you would expect.

“We just do our best. We know that we're up against a very fine side. We're up against a crowd that can make a difference. I'd be delighted to be celebrating something in the game.”

The stakes are obvious: a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, another psychological marker in a title race already tilting Celtic’s way, and a test of whether both clubs – and both sets of players – can keep control when the noise and the history threaten to drag them somewhere darker.