Old Firm derby ends in ugly scenes as Rangers and Celtic fans storm pitch
Tensions boiled over following the dramatic match at Ibrox Stadium with fans of both teams clashing on the pitch.
Ben McCrum
The Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic descended into chaos following the final whistle as a brawl broke out between fans on the pitch.
On Sunday afternoon, historic local rivals Rangers and Celtic clashed at Ibrox Stadium in a quarter-final match in the Scottish Cup.
Following a period of no away fans at the fixture, followed by a limitation of away fans allowed into the game, an increased 7500 Celtic fans arrived at Ibrox for the first time since 2018.
Unfortunately, the match itself didn't live up to the excitement and drama surrounding it, as both sides failed to score a goal, forcing it to be decided in a penalty shootout.
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And within seconds of Celtic picking up a 4-2 victory on spot-kicks, the Ibrox erupted as fans from both sides rushed onto the pitch and began fighting.
Just moments after Tomas Cvancara scored the winning penalty for the visitors, tensions boiled over as a large group of Celtic fans made their way onto the pitch, with some throwing pyrotechnics.
In response, Rangers fans at the other end of the stadium also entered the field, with one getting worryingly close to Celtic players and staff before being tackled to the ground and taken off the pitch.
However, as police tried to get a handle on the situation, commentator Rory Hamilton revealed that one member os Celtic's staff had been attacked during the brawl.
He said: "One of the Celtic coaching staff has been attacked by an individual. It is an ugly, ugly end to what has been a superb game of football. There is absolutely no need. This is lunacy."
Reporting on the match for talkSPORT, David Tanner claimed: "The worst that we've seen in a generation."
Police attending the match and stewards quickly worked to build a barricade to separate the fans, forcing them to return to the stands.
In a statement, the Scottish Football Association said: "The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following today's Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox Stadium.
"An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol."
When speaking to Premier Sports post-match, blood could be seen on Cvancara's shirt, although it is not known what caused this.
Tensions had been rising since before the match even began, with clips on social media showing Celtic fans storming the gates at Ibrox.