A CELTIC staff member needed stitches after being struck by a missile on the way up the tunnel in the Old Firm derby today. The Hoops beat rivals Rangers at Ibrox in a pivotal showdown in the race for the Scottish Premiership title. But a number of fan incidents marred the spectacle on the park […]
A CELTIC staff member needed stitches after being struck by a missile on the way up the tunnel in the Old Firm derby today.
The Hoops beat rivals Rangers at Ibrox in a pivotal showdown in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.
But a number of fan incidents marred the spectacle on the park with Ange Postecoglou revealing the latest shocking event.
When asked about a member of his Celtic staff requiring treatment after being struck, he replied: “Yeah, he was on the way in.
“I think he is okay, He had a couple of stitches.
“It is disappointing because this is a game that gets beamed around the world and it stands on its own.
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“You had two teams going at it in first and second spot and you don’t need a couple of idiots spoiling it.”
A Celtic spokesperson added: “We can confirm that a member of our backroom staff was struck by a glass bottle.
“He required urgent medical treatment and stitches to a head wound. The matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland.”
The incident happened at half-time as Celtic went into the break 2-1 up thanks to strikes from Tom Rogic and Cameron Carter-Vickers after Aaron Ramsey had opened the scoring for the hosts.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of a glass bottle being thrown at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow during the Rangers v Celtic match on Sunday, 3 April, 2022.
“One man has sustained injuries as a result of this and required treatment.
“Enquiries are currently ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
It comes as the second-half of the top of the table clash was delayed due to broken glass thrown onto the Ibrox pitch.
Rangers staff members swarmed onto the pitch to clear Celtic No1 Joe Hart’s area before play finally got back underway in Govan.
But Andy Walker – on commentary duties for Sky Sports – was scathing of the culprit who threw the missile, saying: “It affects every player. You have got to feel safe at your place of work.
“It’s utterly ridiculous that things like this happen. Absolutely outrageous.
“To see broken bottles on a field of play that can affect the referee, the players, anyone that it’s aimed at – absolutely outrageous.
“It’s one thing to demonstrate as we saw a few weeks ago with tennis balls, toilet paper, but we’ve even got issues with that.
“But broken bottles? It beggars belief.
“We’re trying to sell this game, this is our showpiece occasion.
“Shameful scenes, shameful that anyone would choose to throw anything on to the pitch, never mind a broken bottle.”
Co-commentator Ally McCoist was equally disgusted, adding: “You keep thinking that nothing will surprise you any more but dear me, honestly. Absolute gross stupidity.”
Referring to both bottle incidents, a Rangers spokesman vowed to ban anyone found guilty.
He said: “We are assisting Police Scotland regarding both incidents and can confirm that stadium CCTV is being reviewed.
“We strongly condemn both incidents and the perpetrators will be banned.”
