Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C. have come under criticism from former striker Chris Sutton

Chris Sutton blasts Old Firm ‘waiting game’ after ‘shameful’ Scottish Cup scenes

Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C. have come under criticism from former striker Chris Sutton after neither club immediately issued a statement following chaotic scenes at Ibrox during their recent Scottish Cup quarter-final.

The derby itself ended in dramatic fashion, with Celtic advancing to Hampden after a tense 0-0 draw across 120 minutes. The Hoops eventually secured their place in the semi-finals with a 4-2 victory in the penalty shootout.

However, attention quickly shifted away from the football following the winning spot kick by Tomáš Čvančara. Celebrations spilled onto the pitch as a group of Celtic supporters entered the field, prompting a response from a section of Rangers fans at the opposite end of the stadium.

Arrests and concerns over future derby allocations

The aftermath of the match saw Police Scotland confirm nine arrests, while the incidents have prompted discussions about whether current away allocations for Old Firm matches should continue.

For the Scottish Cup tie, Celtic were granted around 8,000 tickets under the competition’s traditional rules. The disorder has now led authorities to consider whether similar allocations will be permitted in future derbies.

Sutton criticises clubs’ silence

Sutton expressed disappointment that neither club immediately condemned the behaviour of supporters involved in the disturbances.

The former Celtic striker suggested both sides may be waiting for the other to act first before releasing any official comment.

Speaking about the situation, Sutton described the incident as deeply embarrassing and insisted that unacceptable behaviour came from both sets of supporters inside the stadium.

Managers react to the derby aftermath

Both managers also spoke out following the chaotic conclusion to the match.

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill admitted he was saddened by the events and warned the consequences could be significant. He suggested the scenes may ultimately lead to a reduction—or even removal—of full away allocations at future Old Firm fixtures.

Despite the controversy, Rangers are still expected to receive around 2,500 tickets for their post-split visit to Celtic Park later this season. However, decisions regarding next season’s derbies could now be reconsidered by local authorities and policing officials.

Fallout from Ibrox incident continues

The events at Ibrox have sparked widespread debate across Scottish football, with politicians, pundits and supporters weighing in on the behaviour witnessed after the final whistle.

For Sutton, the most frustrating element is the lack of immediate accountability from both clubs, with the pundit insisting the focus must now shift to preventing a repeat of the embarrassing scenes that overshadowed what should have been a memorable derby victory for Celtic.