Strachan calls for away fans ban, Dundee Emerald CSC statement

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The Celtic Star

·10 March 2026

Strachan calls for away fans ban, Dundee Emerald CSC statement

Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has urged authorities to remove away supporters from future Glasgow derby matches following the disorder that unfolded at Ibrox on Sunday. The update from Dundee Emerald CSC has to be considered…

Celtic supporters in the Free Broomloan. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

The dramatic scenes after the game have reignited debate over whether visiting fans should be permitted at both Celtic Park and Ibrox.

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After Celtic secured victory courtesy of a dramatic penalty shootout win, supporters entered the pitch to celebrate before the Rangers fans came onto the field from the opposite end, leading to confrontations between the groups and chaotic scenes inside the stadium.

Pyrotechnics were also involved during the disturbance, with one flare thrown towards the Celtic fans, forcing supporters in that area of the Broomloan Stand to move away from the danger.

Celtic supporters in the Free Broomloan. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

The incidents have intensified scrutiny on current arrangements, with many expecting football authorities to take a strict stance and potentially reinstate a policy where only home supporters attend the match.

Now, Strachan says he would welcome such a move and admitted he preferred the derby atmosphere when away fans were not present.

Speaking via Glasgow Times, the former Hoops boss said: “It’s great to see two different sets of colours in the ground during an Old Firm (sic) game – but is it really worth it? Is it worth it for the scenes we see during and after the game? You’re never going to change the animosity of the fans for each other – there’s a real nastiness about it all.”

Union Bears with flares.Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

“I was personally happy when there was just one set of supporters in the stadium during the Old Firm (sic). I know I’m in the minority – and people will argue that the atmosphere is not the same – but is it worth it giving what we saw yesterday? You’re putting police and staff at risk and you’ve got fans running onto the pitch to attack people working there.”

“Is it worth having both sets of fans at the Old Firm? I don’t think it is. The world has become a nastier place in the past 30 years. Social media has made everything worse – some of the comments you see really are horrific and it builds up with both sides.”

Scotland’s Shame – theRangers fans attacking the Celtic support at Ibrox after Celtic won the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

“When people who are saying these things to each other on social media eventually meet, this is what happens. I’m afraid the worst of us comes out at a football match, and it’s just not worth it.”

Hard to argue with this when you look at this video and then read the message below it from the Celtic supporters bus that was attacked on Helen Street.

Don't care if I get slaughtered but this is fucking disgusting! No fan should ever go to a game and not go home to their family over a game of football.
– Sunday, 8 March 2026