Martin O'Neill disclosed that Police Scotland issued a "general behaviour" advisory to Celtic ahead of the 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 stadium, a decision that stems from an ongoing dispute over ticket allocations between the two Glasgow powerhouses.
The tension over tickets is, in part, a lingering consequence of the most recent Old Firm encounter in Govan last March. That match, which saw Celtic clinch a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter‑final victory on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes, was tainted by disorder among fans. In response to that unrest, both clubs were ordered to stage their next home Scottish Cup fixtures behind closed doors and were hit with a £100,000 compensation charge. The fine is to be paid to whichever side is drawn as the away team in their respective next Scottish Cup matches.
At 74 years old, the Celtic manager admitted that playing a high‑profile game without his own fans would feel "a bit strange," yet he expressed a mixture of nerves and excitement about the occasion, calling it "a great fixture." He also spoke candidly about the brief police visit. O'Neill recounted: "The police came in today for a short, fifteen‑minute meeting.
They gave us a reminder about our conduct, which I think is timely and useful. It's a good thing, really." He added that the overall atmosphere surrounding the game is crucial: "It would be nice to have something to celebrate, but we need to keep our behaviour in check. The police reminder is about general conduct on our part." The manager also hinted that the police likely considered on‑field actions when issuing their advice. "They didn't spell it out, but I assume they were thinking about what happens during the match as well, because any serious incidents could lead to further sanctions," he said.
"We definitely want to avoid any punch‑ups, and we also don't want overly exuberant celebrations that could be misinterpreted." O'Neill emphasized that while he would be happy to celebrate a victory, the recent history of fan unrest means the club must be especially mindful of its behaviour. "Given what has happened in recent fixtures, we have to be careful about how we celebrate and conduct ourselves," he explained. In other news, O'Neill confirmed that midfielder Mika Baur will return to training on Saturday after missing Friday's session due to a knock. The manager has yet to decide whether the newly signed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will retain his starting spot or be displaced by Viljami Sinisalo, 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 win 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 up my mind yet.
It's a matter of assessing what Sam can bring." He continued, "It's great to have both options. Viljami has performed exceptionally well for us, and now it's an opportunity to see what Sam can do. What he was capable of a couple of years ago was impressive; his current level might be a completely different picture.
I will let them know soon." The police advisory and the fan‑exclusion order reflect a broader effort by Scottish authorities to clamp down on the historic rivalry’s more volatile elements. The Old Firm rivalry, pitting Celtic against Rangers, is one of the most intense in world football, often accompanied by political, religious, and cultural undertones that can spill over into the stands. In recent years, both clubs have faced fines, stadium bans, and even legal action when fan behaviour crossed the line.
By restricting Celtic supporters from attending the Ibrox fixture, officials hope to reduce the risk of clashes that have, in the past, required heavy police deployment and resulted in injuries and property damage. The decision also aligns with a series of measures introduced after the March Govan incident, including the closed‑door orders for upcoming Scottish Cup ties and the hefty compensation levy. While the absence of Celtic fans may dampen the atmosphere for some, it also offers a unique opportunity for the players to focus solely on the football.
Both managers have indicated that the match will still be fiercely contested, with the usual high stakes that accompany any Old Firm meeting. The lack of a vocal home crowd could test the teams' mental resilience and tactical discipline, potentially leading to a cleaner, more technical display. Fans, meanwhile, will have to rely on live broadcasts, social media updates, and post‑match analysis to experience the drama.
The club has encouraged supporters to watch the game on television and to respect the police's decision, emphasizing that safety must come first. As the date approaches, all eyes remain on Ibrox to see whether the police advisory will succeed in keeping the occasion peaceful and whether Celtic can adapt to playing a marquee match without the usual roar of their supporters. The outcome could set a precedent for how future high‑tension fixtures are managed across Scotland and perhaps influence broader policies on crowd control in football. In summary, Martin O'Neill's acknowledgment of the police's "general behaviour" warning underscores the delicate balance between preserving the passionate spirit of the Old Firm rivalry and ensuring public safety.
The forthcoming quarter‑final promises to be a compelling contest, even in the absence of a full Celtic fan presence, and will likely be remembered as a test case for how Scottish football navigates the challenges of fan conduct in the modern era.