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A dramatic 3-2 victory for Rangers over Celtic at Parkhead was marred by controversy as on-field celebrations led to a heated response from home supporters.
Tensions flared after Vaclav Cerny, in the aftermath of Rangers’ late winner, sprinted down the touchline towards the traveling fans and appeared to spray liquid into the crowd. The reaction from the Celtic supporters was immediate, with those affected visibly angered in the stands. The frustration continued as Cerny returned to the dugout, where he had been substituted just minutes before Hamza Igamane’s decisive goal.
Security presence intensified near the Rangers' bench as a row of police officers worked to control furious Celtic fans. Sky Sports' broadcast captured images of supporters clashing verbally with officers, pointing towards the Rangers’ technical area in protest. Meanwhile, Cerny, undeterred, was seen smirking as the match neared its conclusion.
Interim Rangers boss Barry Ferguson was questioned post-match about the incident but claimed he was too focused on tactical adjustments to have noticed.
“I didn’t see it,” Ferguson admitted. “I was concentrating on making sure we saw the game out. I had to make sure we were disciplined in those final minutes to secure the three points.”
Cerny, a Czech international on loan from Wolfsburg, has now faced Celtic four times this season across both the league and the Scottish League Cup.
Despite the loss, Celtic remain in a commanding position in the league, 13 points clear at the top with eight matches remaining. The fierce Glasgow rivals are set to meet once more in the league after the Scottish Premiership splits following 33 matches.
Security Concerns and Arrests Mark Fiery Encounter
Off the pitch, security concerns dominated the pre-match build-up. A group of 90 football fans were denied entry to the match after refusing police searches. Officers had been granted special powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, allowing them to stop and search individuals suspected of carrying prohibited items.
Most of the supporters denied entry had concealed their identities, and they will now be reported to the procurator fiscal. Additionally, police confirmed the arrest of a 20-year-old man for allegedly assaulting an officer outside the stadium. He was later released on an undertaking and will appear in court at a later date.
Inside Celtic Park, flares were set off during the match, leading to further legal action. A 46-year-old man will be reported for alleged possession of a pyrotechnic.
Police Scotland commended the majority of supporters for their behavior but emphasized that security measures were necessary.
“We had to apply containment tactics to ensure public safety and address non-compliance,” said Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, who led the operation. “While some supporters missed the game due to their own refusal to comply with searches, our priority is, and always will be, fan safety.”
During the containment, police confirmed that pyrotechnics were disposed of, resulting in a small fire, but no injuries were reported.
Historic Away Fan Presence at Parkhead
This Old Firm clash was the first to include away fans at Parkhead since 2023, with nearly 2,500 Rangers supporters permitted entry under strict conditions. They were required to be inside the stadium two hours before kickoff, with additional safety nets installed around their section.
Despite the victory, Rangers still trail league leaders Celtic by 13 points, leaving their title hopes slim. However, their triumph at Parkhead – their first since October 2020 – will undoubtedly be a moment to savor for the Ibrox club and their fans.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @celticfc, Pixabay / NewUnion_org
