Rangers vs Celtic: Arrests made as police condemn 'shameful' scenes after Old Firm derby

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·9 March 2026

Rangers vs Celtic: Arrests made as police condemn 'shameful' scenes after Old Firm derby

Police Scotland deplore ‘extreme hostility and violence’ during post-match pitch invasion at Ibrox

Police and stewards formed lines to ensure the pitch-invading fans at Ibrox were separated

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Police have confirmed that arrests have been made as they condemned the “shameful” scenes that followed Sunday’s Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic.

Celtic defeated their arch-rivals 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in a tense Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Ibrox, but the game was marred by hundreds of fans from both clubs invading the pitch afterwards.

A number of Celtic supporters spilled on to the playing surface from the Broomloan Stand after Tomas Cvancara’s winning penalty, followed by fans of Rangers - some of whom were ultras wearing blue masks.

There were violent clashes as objects were thrown and a flare was hurled towards the away end, with a member of Celtic’s backroom staff reportedly confronted and defender Julian Araujo also pushed before exiting the pitch.

Cvancara, who had run to the incident involving a Celtic staff member, was interviewed by Premier Sports with blood clearly visible on his shirt. It is not clear at this stage exactly what happened.

Police and stewards formed lines to ensure the pitch-invading fans were separated and order was eventually restored.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) launched an immediate investigation after condemning the behaviour of those involved, with Police Scotland also investigating after confirming that officers and members of the public had been injured during a “despicable” sustained period of “extreme hostility and violence”.

"The behaviour of a number of supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox today was shameful. It must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society,” said Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen on Sunday evening.

"A number of arrests have already been made, and Police Scotland will now work with both clubs and the Scottish Football Association to carry out a robust investigation following the scenes on the pitch at the conclusion of the match.

"Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm.

“Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed.

"The investigation will also include the actions of some supporters who entered the Broomloan Road stand without tickets before the match started, forcing delays in the security operation and the turnstiles to be closed for a period of time.

"I would also urge anyone with information about who was involved in disorder before, during or after the match to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101."