Martin O'Neill disclosed that Police Scotland issued a broad "general behaviour" advisory to Celtic in preparation for the upcoming League Cup quarter‑final against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday. The directive comes amid a contentious ticket‑allocation dispute between the two Glasgow powerhouses, which has resulted in authorities deciding that no Celtic supporters will be permitted inside the 50,000‑seat stadium for the match. The disagreement over tickets is partly rooted in the chaotic atmosphere that erupted during the previous Old Firm encounter in Govan back in March.
That game, a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter‑final, ended goalless after 120 minutes and was ultimately decided by a penalty shoot‑out, with Celtic emerging victorious. However, the match was marred by disorderly conduct from fans on both sides, prompting a series of punitive measures from the governing bodies. Both clubs have now been ordered to stage their next home Scottish Cup fixtures behind closed doors, meaning no spectators will be allowed. In addition, each side faces a £100,000 compensation charge that will be paid to the opponent drawn as the away team in their respective next cup ties.
These sanctions underline the seriousness with which the authorities view the recent disturbances and their determination to curb future incidents. At 74 years old, the Celtic manager admitted that playing without his own fans would feel "a bit strange," yet he expressed a mixture of nervousness and excitement about the prospect, calling the fixture "a great match" despite the unusual circumstances.
He also spoke about the brief police visit that took place earlier in the day. O'Neill explained: "We had the police come in today, just a short 15‑minute meeting, basically a reminder about our conduct. I think it's a timely reminder and a good thing. It's about the overall picture.
It would be nice to have something to celebrate, but we need to focus on general behaviour from us." He went on to say that while the police did not explicitly mention on‑field actions, he assumes they were also considering what might happen during the game itself. "You don't want any sort of punch‑ups to start with, and you certainly don't want overly exuberant celebrations that could be misinterpreted," he said.
"I would love to celebrate a positive result, but given what has happened in recent fixtures, we must be mindful of our conduct." The manager also provided an update on the goalkeeper situation. He confirmed that midfielder Mika Baur, who missed Friday's training due to a minor knock, will be back on the training pitch on Saturday. However, O'Neill has not yet decided whether the recently signed Sam Johnstone will retain his place between the sticks or whether Viljami Sinisalo, who began the season as Celtic's first‑choice keeper, will keep the number one jersey.
Johnstone, an experienced England international currently on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, made his Celtic debut in a 1‑0 Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night. When asked about his role for the upcoming Govan clash, O'Neill remained non‑committal: "I haven't made my mind up at all. It's a matter of assessing what Sam can do.
It's great to have both options. Viljami has performed exceptionally well for us, and this is an opportunity to see what Sam can bring now. What he could do a couple of years ago was fantastic; his current abilities might present a completely different picture.
I will let them know soon." The broader context of the Old Firm rivalry adds extra weight to the police warning. Historically, matches between Celtic and Rangers have been among the most fiercely contested in world football, often attracting intense emotions both on and off the pitch.
In recent years, incidents of crowd trouble, sectarian chanting, and violent clashes have forced the Scottish authorities to adopt stricter security measures, including stadium bans, ticket restrictions, and heavy fines. By issuing a general behaviour advisory, Police Scotland aims to pre‑empt any escalation of tension, reminding both sets of supporters that any misconduct—whether on the terraces or on the field—will be met with swift repercussions. The warning also serves as a signal to clubs that they share responsibility for maintaining order, and that failure to do so can result in severe financial penalties and the loss of home‑advantage through closed‑door matches. Fans of both clubs have expressed mixed reactions.
Some Celtic supporters feel unfairly punished for the actions of a minority, while Rangers fans are wary that the absence of an opposing crowd could diminish the atmosphere that makes Old Firm games so iconic. Nonetheless, the consensus among club officials appears to be that safety must take precedence over tradition.
Looking ahead, both teams will need to focus on their tactical preparations. Celtic, under O'Neill, have been praised for their organized defensive shape and quick transition play, while Rangers, managed by a seasoned coach, have emphasized high‑pressing and fluid attacking movements. The absence of a full complement of supporters could alter the usual psychological dynamics, potentially giving the home side a more neutral environment while placing greater emphasis on the players' mental resilience. In summary, the police's general behaviour warning underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding the Old Firm fixture, especially after the recent disturbances in March.
Celtic will have to navigate the challenge of playing at Ibrox without its own fans, while also managing internal decisions about the goalkeeper position. Rangers, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on the opportunity to secure a vital cup win in a relatively subdued setting.
Both clubs face the task of delivering a competitive, disciplined performance that respects the authorities' directives and upholds the proud traditions of Scottish football.