Martin O'Neill disclosed that Police Scotland issued a "general behaviour" advisory to Celtic before their 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 to enter the 50,000‑seat stadium, a decision that stems from a lingering dispute over ticket allocations between the two Glasgow powerhouses. The tension over tickets is in part a fallout from the previous Old Firm encounter in Govan last March. That match, which saw Celtic clinch a Scottish Gas Cup quarter‑final win on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes, was tarnished by a wave of fan disorder.
In response, both clubs have been ordered to stage their upcoming home Scottish Cup fixtures behind closed doors. Additionally, each side has been slapped with a £100,000 compensation charge, payable to whichever team ends up as the away side in their next Scottish Cup game. 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 nerves and excitement about the high‑profile clash. He also touched 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 the broader context: "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." The manager emphasized that the police were not targeting any specific incident but were simply reinforcing expectations for conduct both on and off the pitch. "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." The warning comes amid ongoing squad decisions for the upcoming match. O'Neill 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, the manager has yet to finalize his choice between the newly signed Sam Johnstone and Viljami Sinisalo for the goalkeeper position.
Johnstone, an experienced England international currently on loan from Wolves, made his Celtic debut in a 1‑0 Premiership victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. O'Neill remained non‑committal about who will start in Glasgow, saying, "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 backdrop to this encounter includes a series of disciplinary measures imposed on both Old Firm clubs after the March incident. The closed‑door orders are intended to curb future unrest, while the hefty compensation fees aim to deter any further breaches of conduct.
Police Scotland's "general behaviour" reminder is part of a coordinated effort to ensure that the upcoming quarter‑final proceeds without the kind of violence or excessive celebrations that have marred previous meetings. Fans of both sides have expressed mixed reactions.
Some Celtic supporters feel unfairly punished for the actions of a minority, while Rangers fans worry that the absence of a full crowd could diminish the atmosphere that makes Old Firm clashes so iconic. Nevertheless, the clubs have pledged to respect the authorities' directives and to promote a safe environment for players, staff, and any spectators who are eventually allowed to attend. Beyond the immediate match, the incident highlights the ongoing challenge of managing passionate fan bases in Scottish football. The Old Firm rivalry, steeped in history and cultural significance, often teeters on a fine line between fervent support and disorderly conduct.
Police and football governing bodies continue to refine their strategies, balancing the need for security with the desire to preserve the unique intensity that defines these games. As the date approaches, all eyes will be on Ibrox to see whether the police warning and the closed‑door orders will have the intended effect of curbing misbehaviour. The outcome of the quarter‑final could set a precedent for how future Old Firm fixtures are handled, especially if the authorities deem the measures successful in maintaining order. For now, Martin O'Neill remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the oddity of a match without Celtic fans while looking forward to the spectacle that an Old Firm showdown inevitably provides.