Former CEO blasts Rangers FC and Celtic FC over “pathetic” response to Old Firm disorder
Both Rangers and Celtic have come under heavy criticism after their delayed and muted responses to the crowd trouble that followed their recent Old Firm clash at Ibrox.
The incident occurred after Celtic’s penalty shootout victory in the Scottish Cup on March 8, when supporters from both sides entered the pitch, leading to multiple arrests. Despite the seriousness of the situation, neither club issued a public statement until four days later—a delay that drew criticism from John Swinney, who said the response took far too long.
When statements did arrive, they failed to impress. Rangers strongly condemned the disorder, while Celtic acknowledged that unacceptable behaviour had taken place. However, Celtic’s interim chairman Brian Wilson also suggested that a “false narrative” had been created around the club’s role in the events—comments that sparked further debate.
Former Aberdeen, Everton, and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness did not hold back in his assessment, accusing both clubs of avoiding responsibility.
“I’m extremely disappointed,” Wyness said. “Not only did they fail to respond immediately, but when they finally did, it felt like they were sidestepping the issue. Honestly, it was pathetic from both sides.”
He criticised both clubs for not directly addressing the groups involved, arguing that the responsibility was clear. According to Wyness, specific supporter factions—Green Brigade and Union Bears—played central roles in the unrest.
“They know exactly who the instigators are,” he added. “Those groups need to be dealt with properly. Ban them from matches and send a clear message. The clubs have to make an example out of them.”
What happens next?
An investigation by the Scottish Football Association is already in progress, with a detailed review expected. However, the potential consequences remain uncertain.
At present, there has been no immediate change to away ticket allocations for the final Old Firm fixture of the season, with around 2,000 Rangers supporters still set to attend. That situation could still evolve depending on the outcome of the investigation, as could future allocations for Celtic fans at Ibrox.
Meanwhile, Celtic are already in ongoing discussions with the Green Brigade over previous safety concerns, as they await further clarification on improved security measures.
The fallout from the incident continues to build, and pressure is mounting on both clubs to take stronger action moving forward.
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