Martin O’Neill has admitted he fears future Celtic v Rangers matches might be affected following the disgraceful scenes at Ibrox.
Martin O’Neill fears future Celtic vs Rangers matches might be affected (Picture: Getty Photographs)
Martin O’Neill says he now worries no away ticket allocations might be allowed at Celtic v Rangers fixtures following the appalling scenes at Ibrox on Sunday. And the Irishman is disheartened by the incidents as a result of he believes the ambiance throughout their Scottish Cup quarter-final conquer their bitter rivals was the best he had witnessed for a substantial interval.
Regardless of managing only a solitary shot heading in the right direction throughout 120 minutes, the Hoops organized a last-four assembly with St Mirren at Hampden after prevailing in a penalty shootout courtesy of January acquisition Tomas Cvancara. However what swiftly ensued was stunning, as supporters from each golf equipment flooded onto the pitch, casting a shadow over their hard-fought triumph. A member of Celtic’s backroom group was assaulted while stewards on responsibility have been additionally attacked.
Police Scotland have already made 9 arrests because the investigation into how the mayhem was allowed to unfold continues.
A whole allocation of Celtic supporters – totalling 7,500 – have been granted tickets within the Broomloan Stand for the primary event since 2018 in an Previous Agency conflict, with Rangers consenting to the rise in tickets on the understanding that Celtic would return the favour ought to the perimeters meet at Parkhead in a cup tie sooner or later. Nonetheless, O’Neill believes the extraordinary scenes following the ultimate whistle on Sunday will sprint these hopes.
Talking on talkSPORT, he said: “I assumed the noise on Sunday, and the Sunday earlier than the place we solely had two and a half thousand folks there (at Ibrox) was not one thing I’ve heard in a very long time, possibly (since) Celtic performed Liverpool away again in 2003 have I heard a noise emanating from a stadium like that.
“So there’s something magical about it and I’m clearly fairly saddened by the occasions. It is a disgrace as a result of I feel the issues that I hoped would occur which hadn’t occurred for a very long time will not occur once more with the total (away) allocations at Ibrox and Celtic Park maybe being taken away.
“There’s clearly going to be lots of tonight and froing right here about what occurred. It isn’t for me to enter correct evaluation about it however I am not pushing it to the aspect.
There was carnage on the finish of the match (Picture: Getty Photographs)
“It actually was superb on each Sundays and to duplicate it at Celtic Park with a full crowd of Rangers followers, I feel one thing might be misplaced from the Previous Agency fixture if that ambiance all through the sport is something to go by.”
Amidst the chaos, a pair of Celtic pitch invaders from the Broomloan Stand managed to seize selfies with the Celtic boss as he approached to acknowledge the travelling supporters.
“It reveals you what an outdated man is definitely fascinated by when you’ve got some 15 12 months outdated lads asking you for a selfie at Ibrox. My typical factor is to acknowledge the away followers for a couple of seconds after which getting again in once more. A few lads requested for a selfie and I used to be pondering ‘that is loopy, and outdated man getting a selfie is simply ridiculous’.”
Celtic discover themselves 5 factors adrift of Premiership pacesetters Hearts and might be trying to shut that deficit after they welcome Motherwell on Saturday. But O’Neil is conscious about the risk posed by Jens Berthel Askou’s Steelmen, however their shocking loss to Dundee final weekend.
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He mentioned: “Myself, Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham went as much as Dundee to see them final Saturday. They’re a very effective aspect enjoying beautiful soccer, there isn’t any query about it.
“This might be troublesome for us. I will discover out the state of affairs tomorrow about our personal specific accidents however no matter who performs for us, will probably be actually troublesome.”
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