Martin O'Neill disclosed that Police Scotland has issued a "general behaviour" advisory to Celtic in preparation for the upcoming League Cup quarter‑final against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday. The police directive means that, for the time being, no Celtic supporters will be permitted inside the 50,000‑seat arena, a decision that stems from an ongoing 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 March, when a heated scene unfolded in Govan. That match, which saw Celtic triumph in a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter‑final after a goalless 120 minutes and a penalty shoot‑out, was tainted by disorder among fans.
In response, both clubs have been ordered to host their next home fixtures in the Scottish Cup behind closed doors and have each been slapped with a £100,000 compensation charge. The sum will be paid to the side drawn as the away team in their respective next cup matches. At 74 years old, the Celtic manager admitted that playing without his own fans will feel "a bit strange," yet he expressed a mixture of nerves and excitement about the high‑profile clash. He also commented on the brief police visit that took place earlier in the day.
"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 said. He went on to explain that the police reminder was part of a broader effort to keep the atmosphere under control. "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 added, emphasizing that the authorities are looking for a calm, orderly environment both on and off the pitch. O'Neill hinted that the police likely considered on‑field conduct as well, noting that any escalation could lead to further sanctions.
"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," he explained. Beyond the policing issue, O'Neill also addressed squad matters ahead of the Ibrox test. He confirmed that midfielder Mika Baur, who missed Friday's training session with a minor knock, will be back on the training ground on Saturday.
The manager remains undecided about the goalkeeper hierarchy, weighing the options between recent summer signing Sam Johnstone and Viljami Sinisalo, the Finnish shot‑stopper who began the season as Celtic's first‑choice keeper. Johnstone, an experienced England international currently on loan from Wolves, made his Celtic debut in a 1‑0 Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. O'Neill was careful not to reveal his final decision, stating, "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 broader context of the Old Firm rivalry adds extra weight to the police warning. The two clubs have a long history of passionate, sometimes volatile, fan interaction, and recent incidents have prompted authorities to take a more proactive stance. By issuing a general behaviour advisory, Police Scotland aims to deter any potential flare‑ups, whether they involve violent clashes, overly exuberant celebrations that could spill onto the pitch, or other forms of disorder that have plagued past meetings. While the absence of Celtic fans may dampen the usual electric atmosphere at Ibrox, the match still promises a high‑quality football spectacle.
Both sides will be eager to claim bragging rights and progress further in the League Cup, and the players will have to adjust to a quieter stadium environment. For Celtic, the challenge will be to stay focused amid the heightened scrutiny and to demonstrate that they can perform without the vocal support that typically fuels their performances. In summary, the police advisory serves as a reminder that the Old Firm clash is being monitored closely, with expectations for both clubs to maintain disciplined conduct. O'Neill's comments reflect a pragmatic acceptance of the situation, coupled with optimism about the game's sporting merits.
As the teams prepare for the showdown, fans and officials alike will be watching closely to see whether the preventative measures succeed in delivering a safe, respectful, and entertaining encounter.