The scenes at Ibrox this afternoon weren’t just a “security operation”; they were a systemic failure of respect. For the 7,500 Celtic supporters who managed to secure a ticket for the Scottish Cup clash with Rangers, the welcome wasn’t just cold—it was suffocating.
The sheer scale of the police presence, the flash of yellow jackets, and the heavy-handed cordons felt less like a plan for public safety and more like a pre-emptive strike against Celtic fans whose only ‘crime’ is following their football team.
Rows of officers and horses paved the streets, and you have to ask: who is this for? Is it to protect the fans, or is it to intimidate them?
Celtic fans deserve better
For decades, the Celtic support has traveled across the continent, from Rome to Madrid, earning a reputation for being among the most passionate and peaceful in world football.
Yet, the moment we cross the city to Govan, we are treated like a hostile insurgency rather than football fans trying to attending a Glasgow Derby.
This mentality serves no one. It creates a vacuum of tension where there should be atmosphere. By treating every supporter as a potential threat, the authorities and the home club are actively eroding the matchday experience.
It’s a transparent attempt to make the visit as uncomfortable as possible, reinforcing a narrative that just doesn’t align with the reality of the Celtic travelling support.
If the powers that be truly cared about improving the game, they would start by dismantling this atmosphere of suspicion.
We don’t need an army to watch a football match; we need a fair shake and a return to the days when the Glasgow Derby belonged to the fans, not the police tactics board. Enough is enough.
Police Scotland, Celtic and the fans
Celtic fans have had a historical issue with how policing is carried out at games either in Parkhead or away from home.
Here are just a few examples:
- Police Scotland’s assault on Celtic fan: Two videos show the authorities huckling of fans inside Parkhead in the concourse.
- Police kettle Celtic fans: Supporters treated like criminals before the March derby at Celtic Park.
- Celtic fans targeted for pyro, not Rangers supporters: Video shows Rangers fans being allowed to use pyro as Celtic fans are chastised.
There are many, many more instances about Celtic fans’ unhappiness with Police Scotland and this latest chapter will just be added to it.
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Celtic fans are debating this right now in The Jungle 🍀
Opinions are split. Some fans see it one way, others see it very differently.
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