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 as authorities have decided that no Celtic supporters will be permitted inside the 50,000‑seat arena, a decision rooted in a lingering dispute over ticket allocations between the two Glasgow powerhouses. The tension over tickets can be traced back to the most recent Old Firm encounter in Govan in March, a match that descended into chaos after Celtic secured a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter‑final victory on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes. The disorder that erupted that evening prompted both clubs to receive orders that their next home fixtures in the Scottish Cup be played behind closed doors.
In addition, each side has been slapped with a £100,000 compensation charge that will be paid to whichever club is drawn as the away team for their subsequent Scottish Cup tie. At 74 years of age, the Celtic manager admitted that playing a match without his own fans would feel "a bit strange," yet he also expressed a mixture of nerves and excitement about the high‑profile clash. He elaborated on the brief police visit, saying, "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's a good thing as well." O'Neill went on to explain that the police message was intended to cover the full spectrum of conduct, both on and off the pitch. "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," he said, adding that the police likely considered how the players would act during the game as well as how supporters might behave in the stadium. "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." The warning reflects a broader effort by Scottish authorities to curb the historically volatile atmosphere that often surrounds Old Firm meetings. In recent years, incidents ranging from pitch invasions to violent clashes in the stands have forced the police and football governing bodies to adopt stricter controls, including the possibility of playing matches without spectators, imposing heavy fines, and even ordering matches to be relocated. Beyond the policing issue, O'Neill also touched on squad matters ahead of the Ibrox fixture.
He confirmed that midfielder Mika Baur, who missed Friday's training session due to a minor knock, would be back on the training ground on Saturday. The manager also hinted at a goalkeeping dilemma involving recent summer signing Sam Johnstone and long‑term keeper Viljami Sinisalo, who began the season as Celtic's first‑choice custodian. Johnstone, an experienced England international currently on loan from Wolves, made his Celtic debut in a 1‑0 Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. O'Neill said he has not yet decided who will start between the two: "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." The absence of Celtic fans will undoubtedly alter the atmosphere at Ibrox, a stadium that traditionally thrives on the electric rivalry between the blue and white hoops and the blue and white stripes. While Rangers will enjoy a full house, Celtic will have to rely on the players' focus and discipline to compensate for the missing vocal support.
The police advisory underscores the importance of maintaining composure, especially given the recent spate of on‑field altercations and post‑match disturbances that have plagued the Old Firm in recent seasons. In the broader context of Scottish football, the incident highlights the ongoing struggle to balance passionate fan culture with public safety.
The Scottish Football Association, in conjunction with Police Scotland, continues to develop protocols aimed at preventing violence while preserving the unique intensity that makes the Old Firm rivalry one of the most storied in world sport. As the match approaches, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether the police warning translates into a calmer, more controlled encounter, or whether the historical animosity will find other outlets.
Regardless of the outcome, the game promises to be a pivotal moment for both clubs as they navigate the twin challenges of competitive ambition and the responsibility to uphold a safe, respectable sporting environment.