Celtic manager Martin O’Neill reveals Police Scotland warning to Celtic over their behaviour and conduct at Ibrox
Martin O’Neill has revealed that Celtic have been advised by Police Scotland to keep a lid on any celebrations in tomorrow’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox.
The Old Firm rivals will clash for the first time this season amid an ongoing ticket row which will see no away fans permitted at any of the derbies for the rest of the campaign.
A bitter fallout from the Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox last season, which was marred by violence and disorder, has rumbled on over recent weeks.
A damning review commissioned by the Scottish Football Association found that the mass pitch invasion, which saw rival fans clash and police and stewards assaulted, could have had catastrophic consequences.
The two clubs have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors and also told to pay £100,000 to their opponents in that competition for a loss of ticket revenue.
O’Neill has now revealed that Celtic have been warned about their behaviour – and insisted he welcomed the move as a whole.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill revealed that police had warned his squad about their behaviour
‘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,’ he said. ‘It is a good thing as well.
‘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.
‘They didn’t mention this but I would have assumed that one of the things 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.
‘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.
‘It will be strange having no away fans but I’m nervously excited by it. I think since we’ve got no fans going to the game at all, there’ll be nothing for people to remonstrate about.
‘But I think it was a good thing for them (police) to come today and just give us a reminder. Not to have any sort of intimidation, not to cause our own problems.
O’Neill got involved as peacemaker when tensions boiled over in league clash at Ibrox last term
‘They did not say that, they were just talking in general terms, talking about behaviour on the field. And obviously talking about the potential aftermath of the game.’
On the game itself, O’Neill was asked whether Celtic can create an anxiety within the Ibrox crowd and use it to their advantage.
A section of the Rangers crowd started to turn on the players during the late 1-0 home win over St Mirren in midweek, with Derek McInnes pleading with them to stick with the team.
‘I suppose if you get in front in the game, that makes them anxious,’ said O’Neill.
‘Talking about getting in front and getting in front are two different things. The crowd will be right behind their team, which you would expect.
‘We just do our best. We know that we’re up against a very fine side. We’re up against a crowd that can make a difference. I’d be delighted to be celebrating something in the game.’
O’Neill 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 No1.
O’Neill insists he has yet to decide whether to play Sam Johnstone or Viljami Sinisalo in goal
Experienced England international Johnstone, on loan from Wolves, made his debut in the 1-0 Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in midweek 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.’