“The crowd kept us going during the course of the afternoon,” Martin O’Neill | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill says he hopes the chaotic scenes following Sunday’s derby do not result in away supporters being banned from future meetings between the two 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

Celtic progressed to the Scottish Cup semi-finals after defeating theRangers in a dramatic penalty shootout, with Tomas Cvancara converting the decisive spot-kick after the match had finished level following extra time.

However, the result was quickly overshadowed by disorder inside Ibrox as supporters from both ends made their way onto the pitch and confrontations broke out between rival fans.

The disturbing scenes have already sparked widespread reaction and debate in the aftermath of the match.

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

Speaking to Premier Sports, O’Neill addressed the incidents and was first asked whether everyone in the Celtic camp had come through the situation unharmed.

He said: “Yes. It looked as if there was a few tete-a-tetes as much as anything else. That is unfortunate, but hopefully, it does not dilute the performance in terms of character and all the things that we had.”

“It was our fourth game in ten days and we were really out on our feet, but we defended magnificently. Boys were throwing their bodies on the line. I have the utmost regard for the team.”

Celtic celebrations after Tomas Cvancara scores the penalty that takes Celtic into the semi-finals. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

When asked if the supporter trouble would ultimately dominate the headlines ahead of Celtic’s victory itself, he added: “That may well be. I need to have a think about it. Really at the end of the day, Old Firm games are explosive. They have always been and maybe that is one of the reasons that the derby is one of the best in the world.”

It marked the first derby in several years where one club had been granted a full away allocation, following a long period without travelling supporters and then a spell with significantly reduced numbers. O’Neill admitted he hopes the incidents do not jeopardise that arrangement going forward.

The Celtic boss said: “I would certainly hope not. It was only a cup game for a start, so I do not know what the SPFL will be thinking about at the end of it all. You are asking me a lot of political questions here at this moment when I am in a euphoric state.

“The fans spilled over. Big scenes there at the end and scenes all over the place. It is not me diminishing it at all. I will have a think about it and speak to you in due course. At this minute, we have won the game, although you would hardly tell by my face. It was a long afternoon. In all honesty, the crowd kept us going during the course of the afternoon as they have done in previous times.”

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order

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