Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has urged authorities to remove away supporters from future Glasgow derby matches following the disorder that unfolded at Ibrox on Sunday. The update from Dundee Emerald CSC has to be considered…
The dramatic scenes after the game have reignited debate over whether visiting fans should be permitted at both Celtic Park and Ibrox.
After Celtic secured victory courtesy of a dramatic penalty shootout win, supporters entered the pitch to celebrate before the Rangers fans came onto the field from the opposite end, leading to confrontations between the groups and chaotic scenes inside the stadium.
Pyrotechnics were also involved during the disturbance, with one flare thrown towards the Celtic fans, forcing supporters in that area of the Broomloan Stand to move away from the danger.
The incidents have intensified scrutiny on current arrangements, with many expecting football authorities to take a strict stance and potentially reinstate a policy where only home supporters attend the match.
Now, Strachan says he would welcome such a move and admitted he preferred the derby atmosphere when away fans were not present.
Speaking via Glasgow Times, the former Hoops boss said: “It’s great to see two different sets of colours in the ground during an Old Firm (sic) game – but is it really worth it? Is it worth it for the scenes we see during and after the game? You’re never going to change the animosity of the fans for each other – there’s a real nastiness about it all.”
“I was personally happy when there was just one set of supporters in the stadium during the Old Firm (sic). I know I’m in the minority – and people will argue that the atmosphere is not the same – but is it worth it giving what we saw yesterday? You’re putting police and staff at risk and you’ve got fans running onto the pitch to attack people working there.”
“Is it worth having both sets of fans at the Old Firm? I don’t think it is. The world has become a nastier place in the past 30 years. Social media has made everything worse – some of the comments you see really are horrific and it builds up with both sides.”
“When people who are saying these things to each other on social media eventually meet, this is what happens. I’m afraid the worst of us comes out at a football match, and it’s just not worth it.”
Hard to argue with this when you look at this video and then read the message below it from the Celtic supporters bus that was attacked on Helen Street.
Don’t care if I get slaughtered but this is fucking disgusting! No fan should ever go to a game and not go home to their family over a game of football. pic.twitter.com/1faHbIougk
— Rhol Brittania 🇬🇧 (@49Gers1984) March 8, 2026
Conor Spence
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Thats like saying the Celtic supporters were to blame for the whole thing. Banning away fans hands victory to the thugs who entered the field with only violence and hatred on their minds. The so called rangers need to be severely sanctioned by the authorities. Put the blame where it belongs at many matches over the years. They lose, they riot so try the UEFA tactic of ordering the closure of stands at Ibrox. Maybe then the owners will take action. Of course, if they were decent people they would be taking action without being forced to
Wake up Terry – it is the authorities that are the issue here. The two cheeks of same arse approach will see this state of affairs continue- see what Dundee emerald are saying about police instructing them. Scottish society knows fine well and accepts that the Huns get to do what they like. do you think Celtic fans would get a police escort into George sq to celebrate winning the league- covid restrictions in force or not. Clue – the year before the police cancelled Celtic team bus lap of honour round tron gate and salt market because some fans spilt onto the road at salt market. They routinely kettle Celtic fans( including elderly and kids) for hours, for no reason at all. Why weren’t enough of them around at the moment it kicked off on Sunday- too gutted by the result perhaps?