Celtic's Timely Reminder from Police Ahead of Old Firm Clash
Police Scotland paid Celtic a visit on Friday, delivering what Martin O'Neill called “a timely reminder” about how his players conduct themselves in Sunday’s Premier Sport Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox.
The knock on the door was no routine drop-in. Both Glasgow giants were punished last month, ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors after last season’s quarter-final at Ibrox – which Celtic won on penalties – descended into serious disorder in the stands.
This will be Celtic’s first trip back to Ibrox since that night. They did host Rangers in May, winning 3-1 in the Premiership, but returning to Govan carries a different charge, a different edge.
No away fans – on either side – will be inside Ibrox for this one. The Scottish Professional Football League has already ruled that Old Firm derbies in the league and League Cup this season will be played without travelling support, an extraordinary move in a fixture built on noise, colour and hostility.
Against that backdrop, the police message was clear.
“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,” O’Neill said.
Pressed on what, exactly, was discussed, the Celtic manager read between the lines.
“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 is as much about optics as discipline: keep a lid on the flashpoints, keep a lid on the theatre after goals, and don’t give anyone an excuse to drag players and club into the wider fallout.
On the pitch, Celtic arrive with the upper hand. They have taken the last three derbies since Rangers’ 3-1 win at Celtic Park in January and already sit five points clear in the Premiership after only six games. Form, for once, leans green.
What will not lean their way is the noise. With no Celtic fans allowed inside Ibrox, O’Neill knows his players walk into a cauldron that belongs entirely to Rangers.
“I think the games themselves almost take care of themselves in that sense,” he said when asked about the impact of the empty away end.
“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.”
Across the city, Rangers are trying to steady themselves under Derek McInnes. The new manager has already felt criticism from his own support after a stuttering start to the season, yet he brings his side into this tie on a run of four straight wins. The grumbling has eased, not disappeared.
O’Neill knows exactly where the tension in the stands will spike.
“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 police have had their say. The stands will be one-sided. The margins, as ever in this fixture, will be thin. Now it comes down to whether Celtic can keep their heads – and keep their run going – in a stadium that would relish seeing them fall.
