Celtic given ‘general behaviour’ message by police ahead of quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox

Celtic and Rangers fans invade the pitch at full time, following the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup quarter-final match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday March 8, 2026.

Martin O’Neill revealed Celtic were given a “general behaviour” warning by Police Scotland ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox.

There will be no Hoops fans in the 50,000-capacity stadium at the order of the authorities amid a ticket allocation spat between the two Glasgow giants.

The spat is partly a result of the last Old Firm clash in Govan in March, which was marred by fans’ disorder as Celtic won the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.

The two clubs have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors and have also been handed a £100,000 compensation bill, paid to whichever team is drawn as the away side in their next respective fixtures in that competition.

The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that “it’ll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I’m nervously and excitedly looking forward to it, it’s a great fixture” and also spoke about the police visit.

O’Neill said: “We had the police come in today, just a little 15 minute meeting with us, just reminders of our behaviour, which I think is actually a timely reminder. It a good thing as well.

“I think it’s the overall picture. Gosh, it’d be nice to have something to celebrate. I think it’s just general behaviour from us.

“They didn’t mention this but I would have assumed that one of the things that they considered is what happens on 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 too excessive celebrations, stuff like that, if that was the case.

“I mean, I’d be delighted to be celebrating something in the game. But it’s the behaviour in the light of what has happened in recent fixtures.” O’Neill, who confirmed midfielder Mika Baur will train on Saturday after missing training on Friday with a knock, has yet to decide whether late summer signing Sam Johnstone keeps his place in goal or makes way for Viljami Sinisalo, who started the season as number one.

Experienced England international Johnstone, on loan from EFL Championship club Wolves, made his Hoops debut in the 1-0 William Hill Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night but O’Neill was coy about the trip to Govan.

He said: “I haven’t made my mind up at all. It was a matter of getting a look at what Sam can do.

“It’s great to have the two of them. Big Viljami has done exceptionally well for us and it was just, again, an opportunity to see what Sam can do now.

“What he could do a couple of years ago was fantastic, what he can do now might be a totally different picture. I will let them know first.”