Celtic visited by police ahead of facing Rangers at Ibrox amid 'general behaviour' warning

Celtic have been visited by Police Scotland ahead of Sunday's Old Firm clash at Ibrox in the wake of the crowd trouble at the corresponding fixture last season.

Martin O'Neill's side face Rangers for the first time this season in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup. The teams meet at the Govan venue for the first time since the Scottish Cup quarter-final in March which saw fans from both sides spill onto the pitch after full-time as Celtic clinched victory via penalty shoot-out.

The disorder sparked an independent review by the Scottish Football Association and resulted in both clubs being forced to play their next Scottish Cup home tie behind closed doors. There will also be no away supporters present at Old Firm games in Scottish Professional Football League competitions this season after the clubs failed to reach an agreement on ticket allocations.

Celtic received a visit from Police Scotland this week ahead of the trip to Ibrox. | SNS Group

Rangers offered Celtic 300 tickets for Sunday's cup tie, but the Parkhead club asked for the SPFL to determine the allocation. The governing body responded that no away supporters will be permitted for matches under their jurisdiction during the 2026/27 campaign.

O’Neill admitted that “it’ll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I’m nervously and excitedly looking forward to it, it’s a great fixture” and also spoke about the police visit.

"We had police come in today, just a little 15 minute meeting with us, just reminding us of our behaviour," the Celtic manager said. "A timely reminder, which I think is a good thing."

Asked for further details of the meeting, O'Neill replied: "I think it's just general behaviour from us.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill during a training session at Lennoxtown on Friday. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

"They didn't mention this, but I would have assumed that one of the things that would be considered is what happens on the field of play because these things can be taken further.

"You don't want any punch-ups for a start. Secondly you don't want any 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 just the behaviour in the light of what has happened in recent fixtures. I think the conversation with police wouldn't have taken place had recent events not been brought up to us."

O’Neill, who confirmed midfielder Mika Baur will train on Saturday after missing training on Friday with a knock, has yet to decide whether late summer signing Sam Johnstone keeps his place in goal or makes way for Viljami Sinisalo, who started the season as number one.

Experienced England international Johnstone, on loan from EFL Championship club Wolves, made his Hoops debut in the 1-0 William Hill Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night but O’Neill was coy about the trip to Govan.

He said: “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.”